British Academy of Fencing – Summer Coaching Course 2025

The British Academy of Fencing will be running a one week Summer Coaching Course which will run from Sunday 20th to Saturday 26th July. This will be based at Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, Derbyshire. This is just on the south of Sheffield and a 5 minute drive from M1 junction 30. This venue has been previously used for Summer Coaching and Performance Courses, most notably in 2015, 16 and 17 with Ziemek Wojciechowski as lead coach.

The British Academy Summer Course will offer the opportunity to work towards taking BAF coaching exams and there will be an exam day on Saturday 26th July. The course will also offer a series of workshops run by notable coaches at different weapons. There will be additional class based presentations on a range of topics. A course meal and other social events and activities will take place. As the program is drawn together further details and costs will be posted on the British Academy website and Facebook page – WATCH THIS SPACE!. If you would like to express your interest in taking part in the British Academy Course and be kept informed of details as they are drawn together, complete the form below. If you wish to register for the British Academy of Fencing Summer Course, go to – Course Registration

Mount St Mary’s Fencing Salle

Fencing sessions take place at Mount St Mary’s as part of physical education classes and after-school activities Adam Blight with the assistance of coach Steven Jenkins.  The fencing salle is at the top of Pineapple Tower and incorporates five permanently marked out pistes and this will be the base for the course. During the week of the course we will have exclusive use of the salle and there will not be any restrictions on time. Next to the salle are classrooms for any class based presentations.

Program For The Week

We are pleased to announce our provisional program. In addition to coaching practice working with the comprehensive range of topics from the BAF exam syllabus, there will be workshops run by expert and notable coaches. We are pleased to be able to say that Laszlo Jakab and Miroslaw Poplawski have agreed to deliver workshops. Laszlo, as many will know, has lived and coached in Britain for many years and brings to us a very expert perspective rooted in the Hungarian system.  Miroslaw, having come through the Polish coach education system under the direction, guidance mentorship of Zbigniew Czajkowski brings an expert perspective on epee to our course. Our provisional program is set out below and further details will be added as they are developed – WATCH THIS SPACE!

Mount St Mary’s College

Mount St Mary’s College is a co-educational independent boarding and day school in the Jesuit tradition.  Founded in 1842 by Fr Randall Lythgoe, the Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus, the College is set in beautiful surroundings and grounds on the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire borders and has pupils from Britain and many other parts of the world. The college offers fencing to pupils under the direction of the coach Adam Blight and is keen to host and offer full support to our course. To find out more about the college go to – Mount St Mary’s

Meals

Meals are provided in the refectory at the following times – Breakfast – 8.45am, Lunch – 12.15pm, Dinner – 6.00pm.  Full salad Bar, fresh fruit and yoghurts provided every mealtime, English and Continental Style breakfast including toast, cereals, fresh fruit, juices and tea and coffee, Late snacks, choice from: fruit, muffins, cereal bars, flapjack etc.  Lunch and dinner is provided as part of our course and breakfast is included in the price we are quoting for accommodation at Mount St Mary’s College. Meals can also be arranged at the college for those attending the course as fencers or for single days or those accompanying those at the course. In addition to meals throughout the week, there will be a special course evening meal. As part of the application process for the course, we will need to know of any specific dietary requirements.

Accommodation

Listed below is a range of accommodation and food options. Accommodation for the course is available at Mount St Mary’s College.  These are the rooms which during term time are used by pupils from all over the world who board at the college.  The rooms available are furnished and maintained to a very good standard, have en-suite showers, communal kitchen and common room facilities.  Many rooms have good views of the Yorkshire countryside.

For those who might wish to stay at a hotel, we are able to arrange accommodation at the nearby Ibis Chesterfield North hotel which is 6 minutes drive from the venue.  We are currently able to book rooms at the Ibis at a discounted rate, we can quote  for single and twin rooms though the availability of the twin room option will depend on the availability of sharing partners.  Also, prices may be subject to change, particularly closer to the date of the course. This is a modern hotel with all the facilities you might expect and hope for. The Ibis Chesterfield North is situated in the quiet village of Barlborough. The hotel offers easy access to the M1 motorway at Junction 30.   There is free car parking with closed circuit TV surveillance for added security.  All of the rooms have ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, tea/coffee facilities, desk, TVs and internet access.  There is a restaurant and a snack bar open 24 hours a day. the prices we will offer are subject to review if prices or availability changes.  The Hotel also offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet including pork sausage, scrambled egg, back bacon, hash brown, mushrooms and baked beans. Alternatively enjoy a continental selection.  The room price we are quoting does not include breakfast.  You may, if you wish, prefer to have breakfast at Mount St Mary’s College with other course participants.  If you would prefer to have other accommodation arrangements, perhaps including family members, camping, or whatever, we can probably arrange this for you or provide advice.  If you have any other requirements, just let us know and we will do what we can to meet these. To Check out the Ibis Hotel go to –  Ibis Chesterfield

Other Accommodation and Restaurant Options include –

The Sitwell Arms Hotel – About 5 minutes from Mount St Mary’s College. The original part to this attractive stone built hotel dates back to the 18th century when it was a famous coaching inn. Over the years The Sitwell Arms Hotel has a restaurant with modern British dining and a public lounge bar. The more recent development, the Mind & Body extension provides hair & beauty and health & fitness facilities and offers the final touch to any business or leisure experience.

Mosborough Hall Hotel – A 15 minute drive from Mount St Mary’s. With a combination of historic charm and modern luxury, it offers a truly unique place to stay.  Set in the quiet village of Mosborough, this 12th Century manor house hotel still retains it’s stately charm, the hotel boasts a selection of rooms to suit all tastes.

Angel & Harlequin Bistro – Just one minute walk from the college! an independent bistro open Tuesday to Sunday for coffee, cake, brunch, lunch and evening meals. Their cosy and relaxed surroundings make the perfect place relax over a freshly brewed cup of coffee, cocktail or a delicious plate of food. They fire up their pizza oven everyday to serve the best stone baked pizzas which are also available to takeaway. They can cover gluten Free or have special dietary requirements. Most of their brunch dishes are available gluten free and all our pizzas can be served on a gluten free base. They also have a gluten free fryer as well as gluten free flour, gravy and bread. If you can’t see a suitable dish on our menu, just ask and they will be happy to create a dish perfect for any dietary needs.

Days Inn – Sheffield – This budget hotel, set in a low-rise redbrick building in a service area off the M1 motorway, perhaps about 15 – 20 minutes drive from Mount St Mary’s.  The straightforward rooms feature desks, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. They also come with tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add sofabeds.  Complimentary parking is available. A coffeeshop and fast-food restaurants are also on site.

Bella Donna Restaurant – An good Italian restaurant about 5 minutes from Mount St Mary’s College.

The Mossbrook Inn – Very nice country pub and restaurant with great food.

Air BnB – Local Air BnB options.

If you would like to register for the British Academy of Fencing Summer Course, go to Course Registration