Top city talents put rivals to the sword
EPEE-IC DAY AS ROBSON AND HARVEY ON PODIUM
TWO North East starlets ended up on the podium after crossing swords with some of the world’s best young fencing talent, writes TONY HODGSON.
Newcastle Fencing Club’s Millie Robson and Sarah Harvey were representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships at Northumbria University’s Sport Central.
Sixteen-year-old Robson struck gold in the girls’ team cadet epee competition - as captain of the Scots squad - while Harvey claimed bronze in the girls’ team junior epee section.
Another Tyneside competitor, Maggie Brown, just missed out on a medal in the women’s foil competition.
Robson described competing at Northumbria University as “the best experience of my life.”
She said: “While my individual result was not as I had hoped, meeting fencers from across the world was amazing.
“I have made some good friends whom I hope to see in my next season of international competition.
“The team event was phenomenal.
“Being captain was a privilege and an honour I hope to experience again at my next Commonwealths.
“The whole competition was made incredible not only by the result but also from the support I received from my coach Iain Aberdeen, the squad’s managers and coaches, my family and most importantly the Scottish team itself.
“Without these people I would never have made lifelong friends and progressed to this level of fencing”.
North East Development Officer Beth Davidson said: “”Everyone was delighted to see Millie and Sarah perform so well.
“They each had up to five bouts to come through before winning their medals.
“We were confident Sarah would be among the medals but Millie’s gold exceeded our expectations and was a terrific achievement.”
Robson, 16, has enjoyed much success since starting to fence six years ago.
She represented Scotland at under-15 level before progressing to fight for Great Britian at under-17 level which resulted in a call-up to the Scotland under-17s’ Commonwealth team.
She is hoping to represent Great Britain in her last cadet season and hopefully go to the European and World Championships - and maybe even represent Great Britain at an under-20 level.
Robson’s coach Iain Aberdeen said: “I am delighted all the hard work and commitment from Millie in preparing for the championships secured her a medal.
“It is a huge mark of respect from the Scottish team Millie was selected as team captain. gold team
“She trains hard with Newcastle Fencing Club and at her school training sessions.
“This combined with sports science support from Newcastle University and individual coaching has allowed her to develop strongly.
“Millie is a pleasure to coach and has developed strongly over the last few years with both Scotland and Great Britain representations.”
Harvey, 18 - who recently left Gosforth Academy - has been fencing since the age of 10 and was inspired by her sister to take up the sport.
Her biggest success so far has been making the Great Britain under-20 team.
Harvey said: “It was amazing to have the games in my hometown and I felt proud to be part of the team which won a bronze medal.
“I was disappointed as we were so close to the final but I was pleased with how I competed.
“It was an incredible experience to fence others from all over the world and I felt I learnt a lot from it. Thanks to my coach and support from Sport Newcastle I competed to my best ability despite a small injury in my fencing arm and was pleased with the result.”
Harvey’s proud mum Ruth Ross said: “For Sarah it was her second Commonwealth team medal as Scotland juniors (under-20s) defended their 2015 bronze medal won in Cape Town.”
The eight-day event featured 400 competitors from 20 countries New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa and India among those taking on Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
Davidson added: “It was a huge success and the feedback we have had from competitors and spectators was very good.
“Sport Central was a fantastic venue and the standard of fencing was terrific throughout.”
England ended as overall team champions ahead of India.
ANYONE interested in taking up fencing should contact Iain Aberdeen at iainaberdeen@aol.com.