WEL Swords Club - Formerly Hutt Valley Swords Club
WEL Fencing Club, formerly Hutt Valley Swords Club offers coaching in all weapons: foil, epee and sabre. We are able to cater to fencers of all ages, abilities and interest levels from wanna-be pirates (they will be tamed somewhat) to serious competitive levels. Under -9s can participate in 5-week block courses each term. We have equipment available for use by fencers while they are deciding whether to take up the sport. We welcome enquiries from everyone.
Fencing is a fun sport that involves a combination of mental, physical and temperamental challenges. Our Club is very friendly and there is a strong commitment by coaches and senior fencers to ensure that fencers understand that even a combat sport like fencing depends on an awareness of others’ reactions and a degree of “cooperation” if one is to succeed and “have the last word” in this “physical argument. Fencers in the Swords Point group are welcome to attend foil sessions at either club.
Wayne Cui
- China National Championships U15 Individual foil, 3rd place(1989)
- China National Championships U21 Team Foil, 3rd place (1990)
- China National Championships U21 Team Foil, 1st place (1991)
- China Fencing A-Grade Championships, Team Foil, 1st place (1992)
- China National Championships U21 Individual Foil, 3rd place(1993)
- China National Championships U21 Team Foil, 1st place(1993)
- China National Championships Team Foil, 1st place (1994)
- China National Championships Team Foil, 1st place (1998)
- Awarded National Master of Sportsman title in China in 1998
- Assistant Coach in Shanghai Fencing team 1999-2000.
- North Island Fencing Championships Individual Foil, 1st place (2002-2005)
- South Island Fencing Championships Individual Foil, 1st place (2002)
- National Championships, Individual Foil, 1st place (2003-2005, 2009)
- Australian National Championships, Individual Foil, 3rd place(2004)
- Coaching at HVFC as High performance coach, (2002-2007)
Susan Grant-Taylor
Susan is an experienced coach and classroom teacher. She holds a current Teaching Certificate and an up-to-date First Aid Certificate. For fifteen years she was Head Coach at Hutt Valley Fencing Club a club which she established, financed and supported with her husband’s assistance. Susan developed that club to be the largest and one of New Zealand’s most successful. Susan has now left HVFC and established a club based in Lower Hutt. She focusses on Under-15 year olds, giving them an excellent grounding in fencing. She has a reputation as someone who also helps students develop personal skills such as cooperation with a partner and within a group, self-belief and overcoming the fear of failure by pushing oneself to do one’s best. Fencing appeals to many physically unmotivated students and her students learn to find pleasure in physical activity. She has a high retention rate of pupils. She has trained a number of referees and is responsible for coaching a number of New Zealand champions from school age to Senior level, several Oceania Champions and Commonwealth Junior medallists.
Susan’s involvement in fencing spans 57 years. She and her husband are committed to fencing and to fencers. Susan has been:
- Wellington and National Representative for foil at all levels from school age to senior
- Senior Wellington Regional Champion and also Senior NZ Women’s Foil Champion and NZ Veteran Foil Champion
- Commonwealth Veteran Women’s Foil Silver medallist
- Member of Oceania Champion Women’s Epee Team
- Wellington President for Fencing Central and served as committee member for many years
- Delegate for FeNZ at various times since 1977
- President of FeNZ
- Fencing representative on the NZ Olympic Committee
- Participant in several Olympic Solidarity Coaching courses
- Fencing referee for over 35 years
- Involved in coaching for 50 years
- Selector for Wellington Regional Fencing
- Member of NZ Team Management for various National and International events
- Tournament Organiser for Club, Regional and National events
Contact Details
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Head Coach: Wayne Cui |
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Coach: Susan Grant-Taylor |
Secretary: Grace Xue |
Fee Structure
Membership Type | Per Term |
Private lessons available by prior arrangement All fencers must pay an annual Regional/National affiliation fee |
Under 11 | $150 | |
Over 11 | $175 | |
Over 11 - 2+ same family | $150 / fencer | |
Holiday programmes | $100 |
Training Schedule
Monday | 6.30-7.30pm | Beginners |
Monday | 7.30-8.30pm | High performance |
Tuesday | 7.30-8.30pm | High performance |
Wednesday | 5.30-6.30pm | Under 11 and Under 13 |
Wednesday | 6.30-7.30pm | Under 13 |
Wednesday | 7.30-8.30pm | High performance |
Thursday | 6.30-7.30pm | Beginners |
Thursday | 7.300-8.30pm | High performance |
How to find WEL Fencing Club:
Monday & Tuesday: Newtown Chinese Baptist Church, 26 Donald McLean St, Newtown
Wednesday & Thursday: Hall of Epuni Baptist Church, 300 Waiwhetu Road, Fairfield, Lower Hutt