Following on the tradition of the National Champion questionsairre, the 6 2011 Champions kindly contributed some answer following their Championship win.

“The Sword Fighter Dozen”

Australian 2011 National Men’s Foil Champion: Steven Glaister.

1: How long have you been Fencing? What made you start?

A: I started fencing when I was seven years old but I did not join a fencing club until I was nine.  My father Steven Snr who is an ex-Olympic team member, a British National coach and FIE foil referee started giving me lessons at home with a plastic epee I bought at a local toy shop.  He told me that I could join the club when I was bigger and stronger so I didnt get to join until I was nine. 

2: How long have you been Competing at National level? 

A: I started competing nationally when I was thirteen. Back in the UK there is a big national circuit. I would be travelling all over the UK throughout the year, from London to Edinburgh, Essex to Cardiff.  My father would be refereeing at these competitions so it wasn’t a hassle for he to drive me around everywhere…two birds with one stone, you might say.

3: What made you choose your weapon? 

A: I have always fenced foil, Manchester fencing club where I trained at back home has always had a good number of decent foilist so I have never been interested in the other weapons to be honest.

4: Where is your favourite place to fence or to train?

A: Since arriving in Melbourne I have trained at North Melbourne Fencing Salle on Arden St. I found that the atmosphere at the Salle is great, and a home from home for me.  The people training there made me feel welcome as soon as I arrived. The facilities are fantastic and theres always someone willing to spar with.  

5: How important have a coach and training partners been to you? 

A: Very important. I was lucky enough to have two great coaches. Both ex-Olympic team members and both with great insight into the sport. I wouldn’t be the fencer I am today if it wasnt for the fantastic coaching I had from them, Robert Kiss and my father Steve Snr. And also I have always had tough training partners to spar with not only at Manchester Fencing Club. I was accepted onto the British National Cadet Squad when I was 15 years old so spent time training with the best of my age regularly at training camps throughout the years.

6: What are your ambitions for 2012? work / training / competition?

A: I am just going to continue my winning streek of gold medals and train for the next competition in the new year.  I have been lucky enough to have the opperunity to assist in the coaching of  some very talented young individuals on a tuesday evening with the Victorian state squad coach which allows me to improve on my coaching skills so I am very happy at the minute with what is happening in my fencing life and hope it continues throughout 2012.

7: Who if anyone have you modeled your fencing on? Or do you have a favourite Fencer ( Internationally) ? 

A: In all honestly I have never though about it. I just fence the way I do and thats that. I would say I probably fence like a mixture between my two coaches.  I dont really watch a fencer to see their technique, I just look for their flaws and how I would beat them.

8: What are your future ambitions? 

A: My ambition is to be able to continue on my path to represent Australia internationally in the future.  I have a few years to wait and a few hurdles to jump but hopefully it will happen.

9: What difference if any did this national event have to others?

A: I havn’t had much experience of the national competitions so far. I have only been to two. I thought that they where both well run and great venues however, the Canberra venue was fantastic.  The finals piste rivalled any international I have been to.  But at the end of the day where ever you are, you always spend all day in a sweaty sports hall hoping to be the last man standing even though you want to leave as soon as possible.

10: What is your weekly training Regime?

A: I try to train three times a week. I never used to, back in the UK I trained tuesday and thursday evenings.  There are more competitions on a regular basis back home though, so I would be competing every other weekend at some points of the year.  Whilst being here I train monday, tuesday and wednesday evening.  It seems to be enough at the minute.

11: What advice would you give future Australian champions? 

A: Enjoy what you are doing, make sure you enjoy yourself when you train/compete and  be open to constructive critisism from your coach.  Remember there is always room to improve and fence someone who is better so just work hard.

12: What do you think should happen to / in Australian fencing?

A: I dont think I’ve been around Australian Fencing for long enough to comment on that. Maybe ask me next year when I win the Nationals again….;)

 Thanks so much Stephen. Good luck for 2012…..