2026 BF HONOURS FOR SERVICES TO FENCING ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to all those awarded honours in the 2026 BF Honours List for services to fencing. Some recipients have been presented with their awards at the Cardiff Para Fencing European Championships, and further presentations will take place at the AGM on 30th October and at BF Championship events.
The BF Honours are awarded to members who have made a significant contribution to fencing in the UK whilst upholding our values of honesty, respect, and excellence.
Some recipients were formally recognised during the VIP reception at the Cardiff 2026 European Championships. These winners included Evert (Ev) van Gemeren, Michael Clemitson, Yvonne Hopkinson, and Matthew Russell.
Further presentations will take place at the AGM on 30th October and at BF Championship events.
To view the 2026 BF Honours for ‘Fencing Performances’ click here
Directors’ Award:
- Francesca Gliubich: for services to fencing as Chair of the British Fencing Charitable Foundation
Gold Medal:
- Dr Graham Paul: for services to fencing and in recognition of over 60 years of dedication to fencing and service.
Silver Medal:
- Matthew Russell: for outstanding contribution to Welsh and British Fencing, in roles as Chair of Welsh Fencing, referee, welfare officer, team manager and mentor.
- Evert (Ev) Van Gemeren: for outstanding dedication to educating, supporting and mentoring coaches throughout the years and contribution to the sport as a referee.
Bronze Medal:
- Malcolm Allton: for decades of service to fencing as a volunteer and FIE referee and dedication to developing women’s épée
- Mike Bradbury: for services to fencing and development in Swindon and the Southern Region, as a coach, mentor, armourer, referee and organiser.
- Michael Clemitson: for decades of service to fencing as a volunteer, a founder, coach, organiser and administrator, strengthening Whitchurch Fencing Club and Welsh Fencing.
- Lorna Cooke: for services to fencing through work in safeguarding across clubs, regions and national events.
- Maria Jose Faustino: for services of fencing as a club administrator, welfare officer and in community development.
- Shaun Garley: for decades of service to coaching, providing over 6000 opportunities for children to experience fencing.
- Yvonne Hopkinson: for services to fencing through work in safeguarding across clubs, athletes and events across the South-West and nationally.
- Des Hyde: for services to fencing through voluntary service and work in safeguarding across clubs, regions and national events.
- Brian Robinson: for services to fencing, including leadership of the Northern Ireland Fencing Union and pioneering youth fencing through Mini Musketeers.
- Alex Savin: for services to fencing as a competition organiser and referee, and support for developing the future competition workforce.
- Barbara Whitcombe: for services to fencing through volunteer work in safeguarding across clubs, regions and national events.
- Lucy Wright: for services to veteran fencing as secretary of the British Veterans Fencing Committee, website creator and event organiser.
Award of Merit:
- Nick Chapman: for services to fencing as a competition organiser, volunteer coach and club administrator
- Reka Gemesi: in recognition of her contribution to fencing through over 20 years of coaching, mentoring of aspiring coaches and her commitment to developing fencers of all ages and abilities.
A series of individual news posts highlighting the work of each 2026 BF Honours recipient will be published in due course.
More information
Nominations for the 2026 BF Honours opened on 21st January 2026 and closed on 29th May 2026
The BF Honours are separate from the BF Community Awards, which recognise some of the best clubs, coaches, fencers and volunteers for their contribution to fencing over the past year. Nominations for the 2025-26 BF Community Awards will open in mid-October 2026.
The BF Honours nomination system focuses on members and ex-members, with all nominations coming directly from members. The Honours Committee acts as selectors with the objective of recommending awards in a wide range of categories while ensuring that there is consistency of award levels and criteria. Awards are made annually and announced at the AGM. Other than the goblets, please note that Honours are not re-awarded.