2025 BF HONOURS: RICHARD COLLINS

As nominations for the 2026 BF Honours open, we’re shining a spotlight on last year’s recipients. In this feature, we speak to Richard Collins, who received a Bronze Medal for voluntary coaching, mentoring and supporting for multiple decades at Chilwell Blades Fencing Club.

Tell us about the work you do to support fencing…

I saw a local ad to ‘try fencing – £5 for a 10-week taster course’ (you can tell how long ago it was). Well, I couldn’t resist and really enjoyed myself along with a dozen others. At the end of the course, we were asked if we wanted to continue and I said, “yes, I’ll just do fencing for a year.”

In my second year through the Town Twinning Assoc., we arranged to go and help found a fencing club in Germany. An open competition was held against anyone available in West Germany to promote our sport, in which I won a fight (fluke!). But now I was hooked. I took a coaching award to put back into what I was enjoying so much.

And so it went on. I took on chairmanship of our club, joined my friend in helping teach and coach at Nottingham University (for 22 years) and went to help other clubs in the East Midlands, becoming vice-chair of East Midlands Fencing. I entered a few competitions, taking others with me to the venues, and introducing young folk to the excitement of competing. We also went to local fetes and galas, where we put on demonstrations and offered taster sessions to promote fencing. Ten years later, I was invited to help run a week of fencing for top teenagers at the Midland School of Sport held at Birmingham University, which I did for the next three years.

Chilwell Blades is a friendly club, welcoming visitors and trying to keep all the members (around 60) in contact with each other. We don’t have an elite squad, although we’ve had and have a few top flight fencers.

We cater for all ages and abilities, trying to ensure everyone can have fun. If they’re not enjoying it, we must be doing it wrong. Some members are social fencers, others want every certificate they can gain, whilst some just want to compete. We cater for all. To anyone considering it, I say, “have a go! Who knows, you might be a champion if you try!”

Last year, we celebrated 50 years since the club started by holding a special dinner, which was a great success. So we go on and I’m still enjoying it. It was a surprise to hear my name had been put forward for an award from British Fencing for just doing what I enjoy. It is a great honour to receive the British Fencing Bronze Medal. The club made quite a fuss about it too.

ABOUT THE BF HONOURS

BF Honours are awarded to members who have demonstrably upheld the BF values of honesty, respect and excellence, all while making a significant contribution to fencing in the UK. Awards are conferred annually and announced and presented at the AGM by the BF President.

Fencers who have represented GBR either as an individual or as a team member and have achieved a podium place in specific categories will automatically be recommended for an appropriate award.

Nominations for the 2026 BF Honours are open and close on the 29th May 2026. Click here to make your nomination.

The BF Honours are separate from the BF Community Awards.

Click here for more information about the BF Honours, including past recipients.