Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Former fencing champion launches lessons with The Harrow Club
THE LEUS FAMILY FOUNDATION IS HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IN LONDON DISCOVER A NEW SKILL
An organisation which provides vital support and opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people in London, The Harrow Club has announced that it will be providing fencing lessons from September with the help of the Leus Family Foundation.
The charitable organisation was founded by businessman and former European Fencing Champion, Dmitry Leus, and this activity with The Harrow Club will offer so many young people the chance to pick up a new skill.
The fencing lessons will be available for children aged eight to 18, with the foundation donating the necessary equipment and helping to find and fund a professional coach.
Dmitr y Leus explained the significance of this new initiative: “The impact that fencing can have on a child is immense. They not only learn a great sport, but they also learn strategic thinking. They find a very constructive way to channel any aggression and they enter a new community full of new role models and opportunit y. All children should be able to access this sport as it offers so much and we are so pleased we can build access to this sport for the most disadvantaged children in West London.”
A BRAND NEW OPPORTUNITY
Michael Defoe, CEO of The Harrow Club, spoke about what the impact of the new fencing lessons will be: “The Harrow Club is thrilled to further diversif y the opportunities we provide for children to develop and learn new skills. We are hoping many young people will sign up to learn fencing. It’s a great sport in itself, as well as being ideal for building the wider life skills of confidence, mental focus and resilience.”
The lessons will begin on Friday, September 9, from 4pm to 9pm. This gives the children of all ages a chance to tr y the classes, as the youth club for the juniors is from 3.30pm to 6pm, and the older children (13 onwards) is from 6pm until 9pm.
The coach will run four sessions during this time, with the children learning the basic skills, positions, footwork and target practice. If enough children are confirmed and would like to continue, the Harrow Club and the Leus Family Foundation will look to setting the lessons across two days a week for different age groups. After three weeks of basic training, they will progress to lessons with the equipment.
The Harrow Club has been working with the local community since 1883 with the aim to address needs amongst young people related to disadvantage and poverty.
Activities range from sports clubs to drama and dance, and the network of clubs includes Harrow, Chelsea, Old Oak, Sands End, White City and Lancaster Road, welcoming children and young people between the ages of eight and 21 years old. 80% of current attendees are eligible for free school meals, 90% are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 20% have been diagnosed with learning difficulties or disabilit y issues.
To support The Harrow Club’s crucial work with some of London’s most disadvantaged young people, consider donating: harrowclub.org/donate