At the sharp end of sport

Jacob Tully (left) and Rick Kent practise their swordplay

BRITAIN’S biggest fencing centre is now up and running in Chadderton — and is already leaving its mark on the sport.

Only four months after the opening of the Manchester Fencing Centre, 13 young fencers from the Marshall Fencing Club, which is now based at the centre, have qualified for the under-13s and under-15s England squad, causing a stir in fencing circles throughout the country.

When the fencing club was in its infancy three years ago only one fencer, James Edwards, could qualify - and this year he will represent Great Britain at the under-17s European championships in France.

The selected under-13s, Zara Liu, Nicole Saunders, Bridget Belcher, Cormac Sale, Daniel Aldgate and Nathaniel Fidler, and under-15s Drew Thornley, Gabriel Dunn, Rohan Smith, Ellen Robbins-Wilkinson, Alice Bannister, Aaliyah Sharplin and Elle Brierley, are hopeful of being selected by England Fencing for an under-13s/under-15s squad to spar in Poland for international experience.

The England call-ups are a boost for the club and purpose-built centre, at Osborne Mill, Busk Road, which was the dream of 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Stuart Marshall and his partners, Dave Taylor and Michael Swiffin.

The British Fencing Association-approved centre has 20 fencing pistes and created 10 jobs. It attracts competition fencers from across the region, as well as others from further afield who make regular journeys to train.

Marshall Fencing Club, which moved to the centre from smaller premises in Butterworth Lane, has a passionate advocate in founder Stuat Marshall: “We want everyone to enjoy taking part,” he said.

The club has more than 100 members aged from six to 65 and Stuart is keen to encourage local youngsters to join them.

He said: “It appeals to a sense of play, develops coordination, speed, agility and strength, and helps youngsters to learn to compete individually and in a team.”