02/08/2024- Latest News

FIRST RMA FENCING CLUB WHEELCHAIRS ARRIVE

The first of the RMA Sport Fencing Wheelchairs have arrived in both England and Wales to help new and existing participants enjoy wheelchair fencing.

Following our fencing frame loan scheme, it was important to get fencing wheelchairs out to those clubs on the scheme so that new participants don’t need to purchase their own fencing wheelchair before starting the sport. This is in line with how other wheelchair-using sports, such as wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby clubs, typically operate.

the open back of a delivery truck with large boxes being unloaded by a person in a high vis vest Two BF staff, one a wheelchair user, proudly beside a new RMA fencing wheelchair which is sleek black, an open box is in the image behind and to the right of them indicating the wheelchair has just been set up brand new.

With funding through Disability Sport Wales and Sport England, British Fencing and Welsh Fencing have secured 38 new fencing wheelchairs from RMA sport, the first of which have now arrived in clubs.

Gethin from Barti Ddu Fencing Club in Lampeter said “it was like Christmas came early” when they received their chairs provided by the Welsh Fencing fund. They are already being put to good use over there, as these pictures show.

Two brand new RMA sport Fencing club wheelchairs side by side, they are sleek black with the classic open side and single side handle of fencing wheelchairs. Two fencers sitting in the new RMA Sport Fencing club wheelchairs, their swords crossed and their faces covered by fencing masks

Other chairs have arrived at Cardiff Fencing Academy, allowing long-time fencing family members, but first-time fencing participants, to finally get involved. The first of the BF-owned chairs were also in play at the 2024 British Open Championships, pictured below, enabling those who wanted to participate in the seated fencing competition but who didn’t have their own fencing wheelchair to take part and support our classification sessions.

An RMA sport fencing wheelchair set up on a single piece of fencing frame, the image shows how to clamp the chiar effectively and is currently set up for classification purposes.

The rest of the chairs made available at a reduced price for those clubs already on the frame loan scheme are due to be posted in the next week or so. Keep an eye out for many more clubs in England, Scotland, and Wales to get going with wheelchair fencing provision shortly.

For information on how to purchase an RMA Sport Fencing Club Wheelchair for your own use, please visit: Para Fencing Equipment and Suppliers Page

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