Seated Fencing FAQ

Firstly, make sure you’re included in British Fencing’s Activity Finder and, if applicable, ensure that you’re on our list of clubs offering wheelchair fencing. Check with local community groups and charities about the possibility of offering taster sessions and getting involved in disability sport festivals in your region, and be welcoming and open to everyone looking to get involved in the sport.

At the highest level, wheelchair fencers use specially adapted chairs which are clamped down using metal frames. These frames are available to buy but are expensive; you may wish to explore local and national funding opportunities for your club to support this purchase and also the purchase of any fencing wheelchairs.

British Fencing has collaborated with RMA to produce a club level fencing wheelchair available for purchase direct from their website. This chair is designed to be easily adapted for left- and right-handed fencers, and easily upgradable for international competition; it is also the cheapest way to access a ready-made fencing wheelchair. More information about Equipment can be found on our Equipment Page.

The easiest way is to simply start by doing! You can see more in the ‘Where is my local club’ section below.

We also recognise that not everyone will be able to travel to a club straight away, or that they would like to try the sport before finding a club; British Fencing participate in Discovery Days, as well as Wheelpower events to give potential fencers a taste of the sport before they commit to a club.

British Fencing maintains a list of clubs which offer wheelchair fencing, which can be found HERE.

You can also use the Activity Finder to find your nearest club, and enquire as to their ability to offer wheelchair fencing.

If you’re a club who wishes to offer wheelchair fencing and are not yet on the list, please contact [email protected].

YES! While classification is needed for international competition and the National Championships, British Fencing and the home nations support a number of competitive opportunities throughout the year, including the British Open, Welsh Open, and Scottish Open. These are open to fencers regardless of classification and are meant to bring more fencers into the sport.

The ADP is also open to everyone who wishes to explore wheelchair fencing, the only criteria for entry currently being the desire to work hard, explore your skills, and challenge yourself. As the number of training camps increases throughout the year, we will be offering camps for those looking to achieve international success with classification as well as specific opportunities for those who are curious about the sport, or feel that classification is not yet for them.

It’s our experience that clubs which offer wheelchair fencing are open to everyone who has an interest in the sport and are keen to foster understanding and opportunities; in short, if you think the sport might be for you, there is an opportunity to try, to do, and to excel.

We would recommend looking at our ‘Disability Fencing 101’ page by way of introduction. If you are interested in upskilling yourself or your club coaches you can request an introduction to wheelchair fencing coaching CPD day in your region using the development email, [email protected].

If you want to find out more information on how to make your club inclusive of disabled people and what it means to be an accessible venue, please review our Disability Inclusion Zone or contact our Inclusion Officer using this form.

British Fencing offers two national classification opportunities each year; these serve as a guide for further classification at international events and allow those with eligible classification to enter the National Championships.

International classification is typically done at IWAS World Cup and Satellite events; this is only necessary if you are looking to compete for GBR. Those looking to explore this option should contact Rick Rogers using [email protected].

General enquiries about wheelchair fencing can be addressed using our member’s contact form HERE; for information about the Athlete Development Programme, GBR camps and the development of existing wheelchair fencers in please email [email protected]; for grassroots, outreach, general disability sport questions, and classification, please email [email protected].