Commonwealth Fencing Federation News Bulletin 5 August 2003
Report on 2003 Commonwealth Veterans’ Fencing Championships
The Commonwealth Veterans' Fencing Championships (CVFC) were held in Sydney, Australia from 15 to 17 July, 2003. The event was held in a professionally prepared venue with 8 strips, including a special Finals piste. (The same venue was also used to stage the Challenge Australia World Cup Epee for the three days following the CVFC).
Although overseas entries were a little disappointing, Australian veteran fencers turned out in their largest numbers yet and a great time was had by all. The results can all be viewed at www.ausfencingevents.org.
The event finished up with an enjoyable dinner at a nearby golf club attended by approximately 60 guests. Henry de Silva was honoured as the founder of Commonwealth Veterans' Fencing, along with Bob Turner who has supported him in his efforts.
Future of Commonwealth Veterans’ Fencing
At the completion of the fencing, a meeting was held to discuss the future of Commonwealth Veterans' Fencing. It was agreed that, given that there is currently no properly constituted body representing Commonwealth Veterans' Fencing, that it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement for Veterans' Fencing to come under the umbrella of the CFF. It was agreed to establish a working party to investigate the possibility of establishing a Commonwealth Veterans' Fencing Commission at the 2006 CFF Congress.
A Working Party has been set up to carry out the following duties and to make recommendations to the CFF Executive for initial consideration by March 2004:
The members of the Veterans' Fencing Working Party are Henry de Silva (IOM), Bob Turner (WAL), Mara de Jongh (AUS), Marguerite Langton (SAF), Paul Neil-MacLachlan (SCO) and Keith Mann (NZL). The CFF Executive will appoint a chairperson to provide a direct communication link back to the CFF.
Although the CVFC is held every two years, it was agreed that there was also merit in the idea of the CVFC being held at in conjunction with the Commonwealth Fencing Championships should the host country be prepared to do so.
It is intended that the draft recommendations of the working party be circulated amongst the CFF members and veteran fencers for feedback to assist in their development.