Minutes of the AGM 2025
The minutes of the 2025 AGM were accepted as a true record of that meeting
Proposed: Anne
Seconded: Dan
Chair’s Report
Our club remains in good health and continues to be well-attended with strong membership numbers. We are what BF calls a community club but I’m delighted to note that last year we had an increased number of fencers entering their first competition, plus many more attending several.
Our coaches continue to develop our fencers towards their individual goals, and I’m always very happy to see that the lesson book is in high demand with many of you recognising the opportunity to improve your skills. It’s also great that the group lessons on Fridays are popular and that many of our junior fencers take the time to work on learning new things. James, Martin and Herman deserve a huge thank you for the stellar work that they put in.
This past season has also seen some new things being introduced. First, we had the refereeing course evening in February where referee educator Chiara McDermott visited to help us brush up our skills and the rules of the game.
Secondly, we held a weekend foil training camp in February with Future Champions Academy, which is a camp organisation from Milan. The coach and foilists who they brought were excellent and I think that everyone who attended got something out of the weekend. I am in discussions with FCA to bring them to Oxford again in 2027, and we hope to be able to offer both foil and epee this time.
Finally, we’ve added the Fencing Juniors class on Fridays for primary school age children. It’s still fairly early days, but I am delighted to see so many young people begin their fencing journey with it. They can continue to come to the class and in time will be able to graduate directly to the main club when they are ready.
Thank you for being part of the club this year. Thank you for helping to set up and tidy up each week. I always say this, but you make this club what it is.
Treasurer’s Report
Membership income was lower than in 2024-25. In the latest financial year we had the equivalent of 68 full-fee paying members for the year, compared with 70 in 2024-25. In 2025-26, 76 people attended either a taster session or beginners’ course (or both) compared with 71 in 2024-25.
In February 2026 we held our inaugural Future Champions Academy and made a small surplus from the event.
It appears that significantly increasing costs of venue hire will be an expected budgetary issue each year for the forseeable future.
Coaching fees were broadly similar to last year and matched the availability of coaches for the fencing sessions.
Armoury expenditure included 10 foil blades, 3 epees, 2 epee bodywires, 6 chest protectors, 8 masks and 4 batteries. This was slightly lower than originally budgeted for because we managed to purchase the masks secondhand in very good condition at significant discount compared with new ones. We encourage club members to build up your own equipment to free up club kit for new fencers.
Admin costs included WordPress subscriptions for two years as the bulk of the 2024-25 fees were not charged to the club until the current year and had not been accrued.
We paid for a refereeing course for club members, as approved in the 2025 AGM.
Full copies of the club accounts are available to members by emailing the treasurer. A printed copy was available for members who were present to view.
Safeguarding
It remains very important to me that you all feel safe and welcome to fence here. If you have a concern that someone isn’t safe or is struggling with something, even if it’s not related to fencing, you can report it to our welfare officers. Dan is leading on all things safeguarding as our welfare officer, and I’m available if you would prefer. We have also had some help from Alessandro, who is keeping an eye on the younger fencers to make sure that they are not putting themselves at risk.
I’d also ask that you take a look at BF’s code of conduct which spells out what we (and they) expect from each other whilst taking part in sessions here. We can always benefit from more help in this area, so if anyone would like to join in then we can arrange training through British Fencing and add you to the team. This is something where parents of our younger members could make a huge difference by bringing a fresh set of eyes to the way that we run our club and hopefully help make it even better.
The members present discussed the expectations of the club and each other.
Our Guiding Principle
We want the club to be a place where everyone gets as much opportunity to fence as possible. A key part of this is continuous use of the pistes. When people are ready and willing to fence, we like to see the pistes being used. They are a shared club resource and should be used **fairly, safely and continuously**.
How We Use the Pistes
- There are no designated pistes for particular weapons, age groups, abilities or individuals.
- Everyone pays the same membership and has an equal right to reasonable piste time.
- Nobody should be excluded from using a piste.
- Be aware of others waiting and rotate regularly so that everyone gets a fair opportunity to fence.
- If you would like to fence next, come to the piste ready to fence.
- Offering to referee a bout is a good and courteous way to contribute while showing that you would like to join the rotation.
- Please don’t routinely refuse bouts unless you are following a specific training programme or session plan. We are all here to fence, practise and help one another improve.
Safety Around the Pistes
- Please do not congregate between pistes.
- A bout should have one referee with clear space around them, allowing them to concentrate on the fencing and their own safety.
- Some pistes are more compressed and are not suitable for groups gathering to watch.
- If a group wants to watch a bout, please use the piste at the end of the hall, where there is more space to do so safely.
Election of Office Bearers
We must elect at least the three main office bearers to operate the club, plus a welfare officer (ideally more than one). I’d also like to take nominations from anyone who feels that they might like to be involved, but doesn’t necessarily want to take a full named role – maybe this year is a stepping stone to you taking more responsibility next year? Parents of juniors are also welcome to be involved since this is a team effort. You can also provide assistance by helping out with the website, monitoring and promoting competitions that might be coming up, helping to organise a competition or the training camp, etc.
| Nominee | Proposed | Seconded | |
| Chair | Tim | Anne | Dan |
| Treasurer | Anne | Tim | Dan |
| Secretary | Olly | self | |
| Welfare Officer(s) | Dan, Eammonn | self, self | |
Membership Fees
It was unanimously agreed that the membership fee should be increased in view of the increase in hall hire rates this year. The membership fee will increase by £20, but the club will also use its financial reserves to reduce the effect of price rises on members.
- Annual membership is now £240 (up from £220)
- Quarterly membership: £
- Monthly membership: £
- Guest fee remains £10
Master at Arms
We had 36 entrants into the various senior club competitions this year, plus 14 juniors. The winners were:
- Junior Foil: Martha
- Foil: Leiden
- Sabre: Atul
- Epee: Marcin
- Master at Arms: Atul
AOB
Items discussed included:
The need to purchase additional batteries and chargers to ensure that there are sufficient charged sets available for club sessions. This will be actioned.
A suggestion from the floor to designate a particular bag for faulty equipment so that we can remove it from rotation and get it fixed more quickly.
The refereeing course that we held in 2026 was popular, and a more-practical session was requested for next year. Ideally this will be a more interactive session where an experienced referee provides coaching to learners rather than a classroom session.
We will hold an inclusive social event around Christmas time (probably at the local dessert shop).
