For the 7 weeks 20 students from Quakers Hill PS attending after-school Quakers Hill family centre had an opportunity to learn about fencing. The sessions were offered as part of the after-school sports program under the Active After-School Communities (AASC). Quakers Hill PS is the first school in NSW offering fencing for their students under this program. Adam and Adrian, using unique Plastic Fencing equipment, taught children the skills of fencing using various activities and fun games.

On 30th May 2012 our two young coaches Adrian Musel and Adam Kortynski were selected to present fencing training with school children at Quakers Hill Public School during a promotional event for the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Challenges. This event was attended by the Federal Minister for Sport, The Honourable Kate Lundy, as well as other dignitaries and local media.

Fencing is one of the most complete amalgamations of mind and body in the sport. The intensity of fencing bout and the demands it places on the mind and body are a natural result of fencing's noble and military heritage. Physical strength, coordination, speed, agility and self-confidence are just a few of the qualities this sport requires of its participants. There is nothing like the excitement of fight, the pleasure of movement, exchange of actions and contractions, attacks and defences, and the mental challenges that you receive from fencing. Skills learned in fencing are transferable to any endeavour and help to create a well-rounded and active person. Fencing is a totally addictive sport that lets you get fit without really knowing you're working at it.

Our club and fencers are also participating in the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge which started on 28 May.

Any Australian child aged between 4 and 14 who has permission from their parent/guardian to participate and who is not part of an Organisation can registered to participate. The Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge website contains further information on how the Challenge works as well as a a list of resources which will help you participate in the Challenge.

To start participating in your own Olympic journey simply click on either the "Individual Participant". To register go to website

https://my.olympicchallenge.gov.au/Login

Adam coaching fencing at school

And Adrian enjoying coaching at school

Once you have registered, you will be able to log in at any time to update your details. The Challenge started on 28 May and wil be run over 74 days until the close of the Olympics on 12 August 2012.

It's not too late to add activities to your Challenge!

You could be awarded a gold, silver, bronze or participation certificate and have the chance to win prizes along your sporting journey.

To celebrate the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games Organizations, Clubs and Individuals participating in the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge will be able to receive double and triple bonus points on any activity recorded in the next two weeks. All eligible participating children will be awarded a gold, silver, bronze or participation certificate. Plus they may even get the chance to meet an Olympic athlete or win prizes along their sporting journey.

There are a lot of sporting activities that you can try with a friend, class mates, brother or sister, mum, dad or guardian or even by yourself. Click on the 'Try a Sport' button and view all the individual Olympic sports and suggested activities for some great ideas.

Here's some suggestions of activities you might like to try and the Olympic sport they could be linked to:
• Skipping (boxing)
• Dancing to music (gymnastics)
• Running around the back yard with your dog or sister/brother (athletics)
• Hitting a target with a water pistol or a ball (shooting / archery)
• Jumping over a soft box or obstacle (athletics)
• Riding to the shops and back (cycling)
• Dribbling a basketball/ball (basketball)
• Swimming laps in the pool (swimming)

You can also add activity time for helping out by umpiring/officiating or coaching. Just add it in as ‘Other Sport’ in the 'Type of Sport' drop down list. If you have participated in a sport that's not in the list e.g. netball or cricket, you can still add it by selecting 'Other Sport' from the 'Type of Sport' drop down list.

Don’t forget to add activities you are already doing. For example, participation in:
• Physical Education classes
• School sport days
• Club training
• Activities during before or after-school care
• Weekend sport.

The bonus points will be calculated based on the amount of time you spend playing sport. For example during a double points week if you spend 30 minutes playing basketball with your peers then this will equate to 60 minutes of sport played. Bonus points will automatically be calculated when you enter in your activity online: Be sure to record your activity on the right dates so you don’t miss out. Double and triple points available over the next two weeks!

Double points week: Sunday, 29 July through to Saturday, 4 August. Triple points week: Sunday, 5 August through to Saturday, 11 August.

Please note that there will be an opportunity to try fencing and other sports for free during the Family SportsFest which will be held on Saturday August 25 at Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney’s Athletics Centre. The event will kick-off at 12pm.

To find out more about this exciting sport and to cross swords with our fencers we invite boys and girls to our fencing trainings at Sports Hall, St Andrews College, 116 Quakers Rd, Marayong, Tuesdays & Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Contact: 0425 283 683
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