School fencing

As the governing body for fencing in NSW, NSWF supports schools, clubs, and individual fencers from grassroots participation through to elite competition. Fencing is a dynamic Olympic sport that creates space for every student to discover their strengths - building confidence, strategic thinking, and belonging alongside genuine academic and social benefits.

A sport where every student can thrive

School fencing in NSW creates space for all students to discover their strengths. Whether your child excels in traditional sports or finds their confidence in individual pursuits, fencing offers a pathway to belonging, achievement, and personal growth.

Research shows that fencing builds essential skills that benefit every learner: enhanced concentration, strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and time management. Students from all backgrounds and abilities discover that the qualities they bring -focus, creativity, determination, analytical thinking - translate directly to success on the piste and in the classroom (Australian Sports Commission, 2024; NSW DoE, 2024).

Fencing stands apart as a sport that champions gender equity. Students train together as equals, attack with the same strategic thinking, and compete on level ground. Students take on leadership roles as referees, making authoritative decisions regardless of age or gender - a Year 10 student (U16) might officiate a Year 12 bout (U19), developing confidence and commanding respect from peers and adults alike.

The sport also provides exceptional opportunities for neurodivergent learners. It's clear structure, immediate feedback, and individual pacing create an environment where students with autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences can thrive. The focused bursts of activity, combined with strategic decision-making, engage students in ways that build both sporting competence and cognitive skills.

Competition pathways

There are specific schools competitions that are hosted by two organisations, the NSW School Fencing League and by NSW Fencing.

NSW School Fencing League (NSWSFL)

The NSW School Fencing League runs every Saturday (8.00am–12.00pm) during Terms 2 and 3 across two divisions. Division A features more experienced teams while Division B offers a developmental pathway for newer fencers. Students compete in age-specific categories (U14, U16, U19) across all three weapons (Foil, Épée, Sabre), building skills, teamwork, and competitive experience throughout the season.  Participating schools are members of the NSWSFL.

NSWF Roberta Nutt Individual Championships

The Roberta Nutt Individual Championships celebrate individual fencing excellence across NSW schools. Named after a stalwart of NSW fencing, this prestigious competition features individual events across U14, U16, and U19 divisions in all three weapons. Schools compete for individual medals and the coveted Roberta Nutt Shield, awarded to the school accumulating the most points across all results.

NSWF AJ Rae and RA White Team Championships

The AJ Rae and RA White Teams Championships represent the pinnacle of team competition in NSW school fencing. This annual championship event brings together the strongest teams from across the state to compete for prestigious honours in a celebration of teamwork, tactical excellence, and competitive spirit. Named after two significant figures in NSW fencing history, these championships showcase the depth of talent in school fencing and provide students with an opportunity to test themselves against the best teams in their age division and weapon category.

Dates for the NSW Fencing events will be shared soon.

Growing participation in fencing: Hybrid team pilot program

New for 2026 schools, home educators, flexi schools, and distance education families with one or two fencers can now combine with students from other schools to compete as a hybrid team. This year’s hybrid team is next year’s full school team.  Hybrid teams compete on equal footing with traditional school teams, earning the same medals and recognition. The program applies to the NSW School Fencing League (Sabre only) and the NSWFA AJ Rae & RA White Teams Championships.

A great fit if your school or family:

• Has one or two fencers in a specific division/age/weapon but not enough for a full team
• Is building a fencing program and wants to give students competition experience now
• Is adding Sabre (the 2026 pilot weapon) to an existing program
• Is a home school, flexi, or distance education setting with competitive fencers

How it works

Teams of 3 to 6 fencers from 2 to 4 different schools compete together in the same division, age group, and weapon. When a school reaches 3+ eligible fencers, they automatically transition to their own full team, exactly the outcome we’re working towards.

Important dates

Date	What's happening
15 March	Students express interest to their school/family
22 March	Schools/families confirm numbers and provide support
31 March	Team applications submitted to NSW Fencing
7 April	NSW Fencing sends approval notifications
May-August	Competition season (and simple monthly check-ins)
1st of each month	Quick monthly update (May, June, July, August)

Core values

1. Students first: Every decision prioritises student participation and development

2. Genuine need: The program exists to solve real participation gaps, not create competitive advantages

3. Equal recognition: Hybrid team achievements count just as much as complete team achievements

4. Fairness: Rules apply consistently to create a level playing field

5. Growth mindset: Hybrid teams are a stepping stone to building stronger programs

6. Good faith: We trust schools, clubs, and families to use this program as intended

Get in touch

We're here to help make this work. Please see an introduction to the program and the framework linked.

Contact: Rebecca Iliffe, Hybrid Teams Pilot Program rebecca.iliffe@nswfencing.org.au

A final word

This pilot program is about possibility. It's about giving students who love fencing, whether they attend traditional schools, learn at home, or engage with school in other ways - a chance to experience team competition while their programs are developing. It's about building connections across the fencing community and creating pathways for growth.

We've built in sensible safeguards because we want this program to thrive and remain available for those who genuinely need it. When everyone participates in good faith, everyone benefits.

Thank you for being part of this pilot. We're excited to see what you and your students achieve together. Your feedback will help us improve.