NSW Fencing
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Governance
NSW Fencing is the State Sporting Organisation (SSO) for fencing, and is a not-for-profit, incorporated association. The New South Wales Government through the Office of Sport recognises NSW Fencing Association as the governing body to develop Fencing in New South Wales. NSW Fencing is a member of the Australian Fencing Federation (AFF), the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for fencing. Internationally, fencing is governed by the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
NSW Fencing board of directors
NSW Fencing is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and long-term sustainability of the organisation. As a state sport organisation with a small operational footprint, much of the day-to-day work is delivered through dedicated committees made up of Board members and volunteers with relevant skills and experience.
These committees support key areas such as tournaments and athletes, youth, finance & risk, recruitment & nominations, sponsorship & fundraising and strategy & impact. To make it easier for members and stakeholders to connect with the right people, each board member’s committee responsibilities are listed below their name. This structure allows NSW Fencing to remain transparent, responsive and strongly connected to the fencing community we serve.
Contact the NSW Fencing board of directors.
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Eric Desjardins | Secretary, Interim Treasurer |
Eric has been involved in fencing as an athlete and volunteer, competing at a high level in Veteran Épée. He brings a practical understanding of the needs of fencing clubs, athletes, and the broader community. As an active contributor to the NSW Fencing Association, Eric has demonstrated a commitment to governance improvement, sound financial practices, and operational accountability by drawing on his 20+ years in executive roles in advanced manufacturing. Eric is dedicated to strengthening the association's governing structures to ensure they are transparent to the members and fulfill the requirements of the NSW Office of Sport and the Australian Fencing Federation. His goal is to support the sustainable growth of fencing through professionalised administration and to advance the association towards a well organised, well-governed, high-performing association that the fencing community can trust and rely on. Committees: Tournaments & Athletes, Finance & Risk, Strategy & Impact |
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Sara Elliott | Director |
Sara started fencing in her mid-twenties and has been strongly committed to the sport ever since, as both competitor and administrator. She was the Australian and Oceania Women’s Epee Champion in 2019, has won multiple individual and team national medals for NSW, and served as President of Sydney University Fencing Club for many years. Professionally, Sara works as a clinical psychologist, seeking to develop a connection with her clients that empowers them to move forward in their lives. Sara’s goal is to help foster a fencing environment that emphasises both individual growth and mutual support. Committees: Tournaments & Athletes, Youth |
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Dr Jing Shang | Director |
Dr Shang brings over a decade of expertise in various aspects of fencing, encompassing advocacy, marketing, community engagement, program development, competition organisation, and governance. Since joining the Board in 2018, she progressed to Vice President in 2021 and subsequently President in 2022 and 2023, serving until October 2023. Her diverse professional background, spanning over twenty years, includes roles in banking, investment banking, executive coaching, and education, demonstrating a multifaceted skill set that enriches her contributions to the fencing community. Committees: Tournaments & Athletes, Finance & Risk |
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Colleen Stokes | Director |
Colleen is a fencer, a fencing tour team manager, a member of the AFF athletes commission, and a fencing mum. Her experiences both on and off the piste have connected her deeply with the fencing community, exposing her to diverse perspectives and inspiring her to contribute more actively to the broader community. Professionally, she has built an extensive career in highly regulated industries, including pharmaceuticals and nuclear science, with core competencies in regulation and compliance, and quality management systems. Committees: Tournaments & Athletes |
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George Yako | Chair |
George brings a legal, governance, and compliance background with experience spanning across governance uplift, organisational policy development, and strategic planning across several sectors. He specialises in the design of compliance frameworks, high-level risk mitigation, and the implementation of performance reporting systems. George has been involved in fencing for 10 years as an athlete, coach, and volunteer. He is an active member of the community, and brings a thorough understanding of the needs of the fencing community, clubs, and athletes. As the interim Vice Chair of the NSW Fencing Association, George has demonstrated a commitment to operational excellence. George is dedicated to leading a comprehensive governance uplift, modernising the association's governing structures to ensure they are transparent, agile, and aligned with contemporary best practices. His goal is to drive the promotion of fencing in NSW and establish robust, long-term strategic alignment to ensure the sport's sustainable development. By modernising reporting frameworks and professionalising administrative structures, he aims to create a resilient ecosystem where the broader fencing community feels supported by a transparent, high-performing governing body. Committees: Tournaments & Athletes, Youth, Sponsorship & Fundraising |
