World Class Coaches. World Class Coaching.
The club is incredibly lucky to have two of the best coaches from the world of fencing. Linda and Pierre have represented the UK at both Olympic and Commonwealth level and now bring their expertise to club members, enabling everyone to reach their full potential. Its not all about competing though and if you are a social fencer then you will still get plenty of tips and advice.
Linda Strachan
Linda competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, winning a total of seven National Senior Women’s Foil titles (five in succession) and nine Commonwealth Games Gold medals.
Linda was chosen to be a Torchbearer in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games, was given an “Inspiring People’s Award” by the Mayor of Newham (Sir Robin Wales) in 2013, and was awarded the British Empire Award for services to sport in the community in 2015.
Linda is passionate about developing the talent of young fencers and has coached a number of junior champions.
Linda Wins Her 1st Senior National Championships in 1990.
Linda focuses in the 1985 world student games in Japan, ahead of the last 8
Linda wins Gold for England at the 2002 Commonwealth games
Linda makes thetop 16 at the 1990Lyon world championships
Pierre Harper
Pierre represented GB at the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, won six National Senior titles and six Commonwealth Games gold medals (over three consecutive Commonwealth Games) during his competitive career, which has never been equalled, making him the most successful male British fencer of the 80s.
Pierre’s greatest achievements as a coach to date, include gaining a Team Silver at the 2010 Cadet World Championships, a Team Bronze at the 2013 Junior European Championships, an Individual Gold and Team Silver at the 2015 Veteran European Championships, and a Team Bronze at the 2016 Junior European Championships.
His coaching career (spanning 32 years) has been equally successful, having taken a total of thirty young people from grass roots to GB international level.
These young fencers have gone on to win titles at national Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior level, at Junior and Senior Commonwealth Games, and at Cadet and Junior European and World Championships.
Pierre is now Head Coach of Newham Swords Fencing Club, and the coach to the reigning National Senior Women’s Foil Champion, Teagan Williams-Stewart (who won the title at just 16 years of age)!
In 2016, Pierre was awarded the BF Silver Award for his outstanding work in coaching and contribution to fencing generally’
Pierre prepares for the last 16 of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
Pierre in his 1980 Moscow Olympics parade jacket (age 25)
Pierre wins his first National Foil Title in 1976 (aged 19)
Pierre wins all the major U20 Titles (aged 19)
Supporting coaches and assistants
As well as our head coaches we also have a team of supporting and visiting coaches, as well as session assistants to help the sessions run smoothly and provide extra support.
David Aronsohn
Assistant coach, Level 2 foil Introductory session lead
Fiona Turnbull
Visiting coach,
Level 2 foil
Esther Aronsohn
Visiting coach,
Level 1 foil
Meg Sansom
Junior assistant
Daniel Perry
Junior assistant
Fancy helping out?
Running the fencing sessions is very labour intensive and relies on the input of a dedicated team of volunteers. If you have a spare hour to help out at on a Saturday then please get in touch.
We would love to hear from you!
Need to know something? Just send us a message…..