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SABRE WEAPON STEERING GROUP SETS DIRECTION FOR A 2036 FOCUSED APPROACH

This week marked the first meeting of the newly formed Sabre Weapon Steering Group (SWSG), attended by a wide group of stakeholders from across the fencing community, including referees, British Fencing staff, club representatives and coaches, setting in motion an ambitious and collaborative approach focused on strengthening the sabre system from grassroots to elite level.

The SWSG is comprised of the following personnel from within the sabre community and have these specific focus areas:

Chair – David Sach

Pathway & Pathway Development – Chris Buxton & Alex Bela

Coaching & Coach Development – Phil Carson & Jon Salfield

Clubs & Club Development – Mike Evans-Jones & Paul Davis

Refereeing & Referee Development – Sam McLellan

Athlete Representative – TBC

Independent Board Member – Alex O’Connell

The SWSG brings together representatives from across the sabre community, including experts in pathway development, coaching, refereeing, club growth, and Board-level oversight. Operating with British Fencing staff in an advisory and facilitative role, the group enables the sabre community itself to guide direction, priorities and future structural design. David Sach has been confirmed as Chair, providing clear leadership as the work progresses. This approach reflects a forward-looking commitment to ensuring that all perspectives essential to the health of the weapon are represented and empowered.

British Fencing’s five strategic goals—Grow Participation, Create a Sustainable Future, Deliver GBR Success, Support Women & Girls, and Deliver Social Impact, provide the overarching framework for the SWSG’s work. Within this framework, the sabre community will develop approaches tailored to the distinct needs, pace and characteristics of the weapon. Sabre is already demonstrating strong momentum in long-term strategic thinking, and the creation of the SWSG builds on this foundation.

A long-term strategic horizon has been set, with 2036 identified as the primary target for significant progress within Sabre. This extended timeframe aligns with two Olympic cycles and supports ambitions for British athletes to compete for podium success while ensuring that progress is grounded in a strong, sustainable system. The year 2030 will serve as an interim milestone, providing structure for planning and review. Success is defined broadly, encompassing depth of talent, club strength, coaching and refereeing quality, pathway inclusivity, and overall system resilience.

DEARY William vs HRYCIUK Szymon. Photo Augusto Bizzi

Early direction places emphasis on the foundations required for long-term performance. Priorities include expanding club capacity, strengthening coach education and workforce development, enhancing referee development and standards, ensuring clear and inclusive athlete pathways, broadening athlete voice, and advancing opportunities within para and wheelchair fencing. With clubs established as the primary delivery mechanism under current funding realities, strengthening the participation base will be essential to sustaining future success.

Mike Evans-Jones, clubs and club development representative commented:

“I’m looking forward to working with the vastly experienced and knowledgeable team in the Sabre Weapon Steering Group to help support the sabre community across the UK. I believe we have great potential in the weapon and I’m looking forward to supporting the ongoing growth to secure the future success and prominence of sabre fencing.”

To begin shaping the strategic framework, each functional area represented in the SWSG will develop a concise outline of what success in 2036 looks like, including key milestones on the journey. These proposals are due by 28 February 2026, with the next full meeting scheduled for 10 March 2026. Monthly meetings will continue during the early phase, supported administratively by British Fencing.

Sam McLellan, the groups refereeing representative said:

“I am pleased to join the working group as the referee representative and have the opportunity to work collaboratively with energetic and experienced colleagues to improve Sabre fencing in the UK.  My view is that refereeing is the final, crucial piece of the developmental or competitive jigsaw, and that the litmus test for the quality of our fencing can be strongly influenced, if not determined, by the calibre of our refereeing.  I look forward to exploring the opportunities which this forum provides to help improve the quality, quantity and qualification of our referees.”

sam mclellan referee sabre, arm pointing
Cadet and Junior BRC A, Sam McLellan

The formation of the SWSG represents an important step within British Fencing’s broader commitment to supporting weapon-specific communities. Work is now underway to explore similar steering groups for other weapons, including Foil and Épée.

British Fencing welcomes interest from individuals across all weapons – coaches, referees, club leaders, athletes and volunteers who wish to contribute to future development work. Individuals interested in contributing are invited to contact Sarah Jones, Head of Talent at British Fencing by emailing sarah.jones@britishfencing.com