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FENCING 4 CHANGE: AUTISM PROJECT ON THE WORLD STAGE

Fencing 4 Change: Autism Project, a programme delivered in partnership between BF and The Change Foundation, is having an important social impact in international fencing.

Rick Rodgers, BF Inclusion Manager (Disability), and Daniel Mynott from The Change Foundation attended the first Fencing 4 All roundtable in Rome (Photo via The Change Foundation).

The Change Foundation is having a positive social impact on the world of fencing by engaging with international leaders. Recently, the charity was invited to the first global “Fencing 4 All – Promoting Inclusion on Autism” roundtable, hosted by the Italian Fencing Federation in Rome. The event was attended by representatives from 15 national fencing federations and experts in the field, with the aim to widen the sport’s accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities.

Representatives at the roundtable recognised the positive impact of Fencing 4 Change: Autism Project, delivered in partnership between The Change Foundation and BF. The programme uses fencing to improve physical literacy and reduce the risk of social isolation for young people aged 11 – 16 with autism. Fencing 4 Change provides fencing sessions in after-school clubs across London for young people with autism and uses creative coaching methodology to encourage integration, develop motor skills, and provide a unique experience for young people who may never access fencing, or who don’t engage with mainstream sports.

In May 2024, The Change Foundation ran their first inter-school fencing competition at the Leon Paul Fencing Centre. The schools that took part are some of the specialist autism support schools that have been receiving fencing training activities by Change Foundation-trained coaches.

More recently, The Change Foundation was visited by colleagues and students from Pető Sport Association in Hungary. The Association had been introduced to the charity through BF President Pat Aiyenuro during the Fencing 4 All roundtable.

Navjeet Sira, CEO of The Change Foundation, said:

“We exchanged ideas, skills, sport, and did some team bonding. We were delighted to host them, and it is now a connection for life.”

We look forward to continuing our work with The Change Foundation and international leaders to increase fencing’s positive impact on the world stage.

This post is related to the BF 2030 Strategy goal five, to Deliver Positive Social Impact. You can read more about the Strategy here.