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 its board of directors who are all volunteers. Contact the NSW Fencing board of directors.
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Eric Desjardins | Director | Eric began fencing at six and returned to the sport in 2013 after a long hiatus. A committed veteran épéeist, he won Men’s Épée gold at both the 2024 Oceania Veteran Championships and the 2024 National Veterans, and has also earned multiple individual and team national medals for NSW. Professionally, Eric has managed some of Australia's most demanding projects in yacht racing, defence and exploration, building a career at the convergence of naval design and advanced composites manufacturing. As a director on the NSW Fencing Association board, he is committed to fostering a welcoming, good-humoured community where all fencers can learn, grow and enjoy challenging themselves. |
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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 is currently President of Sydney University Fencing Club. Professionally, Sara works as a clinical psychologist, seeking to develop a connection with her clients which empowers them to move forward in their lives. Sara’s goal is to help foster a fencing environment that emphases both individual growth and mutual support. |
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John Frew | Director | John Frew was introduced to fencing at secondary school, and is currently a fencer and coach in the Newcastle region. He plays a key role in regional development, working with clubs to support athletes training for school, state, and national competitions. John has extensive experience in club management, and professional expertise in project and program management, cost accounting, and quality systems. |
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Rebecca Iliffe | Director (from 1 Jan 2026) | Rebecca Iliffe is a project manager, educator, facilitator, and social enterprise founder with extensive experience in governance, strategic leadership, and community development. She has hands-on experience in fencing governance, program delivery, and school and community engagement including award-winning programs that enhance participation, wellbeing, and academic outcomes. Rebecca applies a partnership-driven, inclusive, respectful and practical approach to support the growth of fencing in NSW. |
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Suhanshu Malik | Finance Director | Sudhanshu (Sud) brings deep experience in strategy, leadership, and organisational development across a wide range of sectors. He has spent his career helping organisations build strong foundations, improve performance, and create lasting, community-focused impact. He is a strong believer in the power of sport to develop confidence, character, and lifelong opportunity. Sud lives in Sydney with his wife and daughter, an aspiring young athlete, and is committed to supporting a welcoming, safe, and inspiring environment where people of all ages can discover and enjoy the sport of fencing. |
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Andi Petschner (GAICD) |
Director Interim President (from 1 Jan 2026) |
With her professional blade honed in Europe, NZ and Australia across various business, NFP and government organisations, Andi is committed to inspiring fencers to remain en garde, advance their skills, and strive for Olympic greatness at Brisbane 2032. She champions organisational excellence, financial integrity, equitable access and a clear vision to propel the sport forward. |
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Rahul Roy | Secretary | Rahul is a career governance professional with experience advising Boards of complex and regulated entities for over 15 years. Rahul has worked at a number of highly regulated and publicly listed organisations in Australia and overseas. He is a Fellow Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, The Chartered Governance Institute, UK, an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Rahul brings to Fencing NSW a passion for all things governance and will utilise his skills in helping Fencing NSW navigate the demands of contemporary corporate governance requirements. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Dr Alessandra Wollaston | President | Dr Wollaston is an experienced educator, facilitator, and communicator with a commitment to innovation and collaboration. As a fencer and community coach, they bring firsthand knowledge of the sport. Their experience in governance and administration, and their work with young people and diverse stakeholders, enables effective contributions to strategic decision-making and community engagement. As a proud LGBTQIA+ person, Dr Wollaston is an advocate for making sport welcoming and inclusive at every level. They recognise the importance of a strong grassroots foundation, and of ensuring that the voices of all participants contribute to the sport’s ongoing development. |
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George Yako | Interim Vice-president |
George brings a legal, governance, and compliance background with experience spanning across governance uplift, organisational policy development, and strategic planning across several sectors. He has been involved in fencing for 10 years as an athlete and coach, and brings a thorough understanding of the needs of the fencing community, clubs, and athletes. 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. |
