Camp Coaches
Alex Agrenich
Alex Agrenich began fencing at the age of ten in his home town of Moscow. He immediately loved the sport and his youthful hard work, determination and commitment soon paid off. When, three years later, he moved to Israel he quickly became its top-ranked Cadet.In 1994, he returned (briefly) to his home town where he ranked 5th in the Moscow Junior Olympics. From 1995, he continued to fence in numerous international events.During this time, Alex also began his training as a coach. In 1996 he gained a ranking of 11th in the Junior World Championships.
When Alex emigrated to Britain he quickly discovered Haverstock Fencing Club and began training there.He continued both fencing and his own training as a coach.In 1999 he began coaching full-time at Haverstock!
Through his coaching, Alex aims to provide fencers with an opportunity to achieve consistency and better results – especially internationally.He encourages fencers to gain skills through systematic, structured training and is active in trying to build a network of support for fencers who wish to work towards an elite status. Alex works with Cadet, Junior and Senior fencers in a quiet, forceful manner that brings their individual strengths to the fore.
When Alex emigrated to Britain he quickly discovered Haverstock Fencing Club and began training there.He continued both fencing and his own training as a coach.In 1999 he began coaching full-time at Haverstock!
Through his coaching, Alex aims to provide fencers with an opportunity to achieve consistency and better results – especially internationally.He encourages fencers to gain skills through systematic, structured training and is active in trying to build a network of support for fencers who wish to work towards an elite status. Alex works with Cadet, Junior and Senior fencers in a quiet, forceful manner that brings their individual strengths to the fore.
John Ince (The Chairman)
When Haverstock’s Chairman and Founder Member, John Ince, began fencing he was fifteen years old and fenced foil. The trouble was, he beat everyone; and where is the fun in that? So he packed it in and moved on to other sports, learning judo, mountaineering, hill-walking, sky diving and football. After nine or ten years away from fencing, he felt something was terribly wrong. So, when he was twenty five, John returned to fencing and felt much better.
One evening, while John was in discussion with some fencing mates, an idea was born: ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a fencing club that you could come to straight from work, three nights a week, get some proper training, enjoy a bit of fencing without pressure, where you could feel at ease and feel supported in your goals, but also feel that the club was not political and exclusive.’ ‘Yeah, great!’ everyone agreed. And so it happened!
With a bit of effort on the part of John, Greg Allen, Steve Paul, Chris Norden (who discovered the premises and became the first head coach), as well as other founding members, Haverstock Fencing Club was founded in 1995 using the pre-renovated facilities of Haverstock School. John became Chairman of Haverstock Fencing Club and promptly announced that ‘A Club is only as good as its members’, a sentiment that certainly comes across in his effervescent entrance to the fencing hall every evening. He tries to take on board what any member has to say and insists that the Club is an ‘all comers’ sort of place. ‘Whether you are elite or mediocre, you come along here and you fence. It’s for professional and recreational fencers alike.’
John has recently completed his two year training to become a Fencing Master (British Fencing, International Fencing Masters Diploma in three weapons from Profs. Bognar Gabor and Peter Frolich).
One evening, while John was in discussion with some fencing mates, an idea was born: ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a fencing club that you could come to straight from work, three nights a week, get some proper training, enjoy a bit of fencing without pressure, where you could feel at ease and feel supported in your goals, but also feel that the club was not political and exclusive.’ ‘Yeah, great!’ everyone agreed. And so it happened!
With a bit of effort on the part of John, Greg Allen, Steve Paul, Chris Norden (who discovered the premises and became the first head coach), as well as other founding members, Haverstock Fencing Club was founded in 1995 using the pre-renovated facilities of Haverstock School. John became Chairman of Haverstock Fencing Club and promptly announced that ‘A Club is only as good as its members’, a sentiment that certainly comes across in his effervescent entrance to the fencing hall every evening. He tries to take on board what any member has to say and insists that the Club is an ‘all comers’ sort of place. ‘Whether you are elite or mediocre, you come along here and you fence. It’s for professional and recreational fencers alike.’
John has recently completed his two year training to become a Fencing Master (British Fencing, International Fencing Masters Diploma in three weapons from Profs. Bognar Gabor and Peter Frolich).
