Dec. 10, 2012
The Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF) is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been selected as Weapon Leaders for the 2012-13 fencing season:

Paul ApSimon – Foil, David Howes – Epée, Stéphane Hamel/Benjamin Manano – Saber

The National Team Weapon Leader (WL) is a recognized leader of national team programs and works under the guidance of the CFF High Performance Advisory Committee. The WL will bring together coaches through the creation of a “Coaching Team” to work towards the common goal of implementing the weapon’s program and sustaining it. The WL is instrumental in working with athletes and coaches in establishing the annual competition schedule, the training camp schedule, and assists in the implementation of all national team programs for the quadrennial. The selected candidates have a wealth of experience and proven commitment to achieving the tasks set out for them.

Paul ApSimon is a fully certified level 3 coach who is currently enrolled in his second year with the National Coaching Institute. He will be completing the program by June 2013. Paul was the Canadian Women’s Foil Team Coach from 2010 through to the 2012 Olympic Games in London and was the Fencing Team Leader during the Games. Paul is Head Coach at the RA Fencing Club in Ottawa and is also a coach with the Excalibur Fencing Club.

David Howes is a graduate of the National Coaching Institute’s High Performance Coaching Diploma Program. He is a fully certified level 4 coach and Maitre d’Armes. David currently coaches the Canadian Forces CISM Fencing team as Epee Coach, including at the Military World Games in Rio. David is also the epee coach at the Royal Military College in Kingston and is the Head Coach of the Cutting Edge Fencing Club.

Stéphane Hamel and Benjamin Manano will be working together as part of one contract as the Saber Weapon Leader. Both come with extensive coaching experience – Stéphane and Benjamin are fully certified level 3 coaches and Maitre d’Armes. Stéphane was an Assistant Coach with the National Team for Saber from 2010-2012 attending many major events including as Coach at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Benjamin has worked with National team programs in Morocco and France, and will be the Coach for the Quebec Team at the Canada Games in 2013.

“We are extremely pleased to have filled these positions with such high quality candidates,” stated CFF President Brad Goldie. “We are in a period of rebuilding following the 2012 Olympic Games and this is the first step in that process. We look forward to great things to come for Canadian Fencing’s High Performance Program.”

For further information, please contact:

Caroline Sharp
Executive Director, Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF)
613-323-5605, ed@fencing.ca