Our History
Haverstock Fencing Club was founded in 1995 by a collective of epee fencers who wanted to establish a centre of excellence in North London.
They quickly managed to gain a reputation on two levels: as a place for elite fencers to train for the competition circuit, and as a friendly but professional environment for children and adults to learn how to fence.
The evidence of their success speaks for itself.
Haverstock has been a dominant force in British epee fencing, with a fearsome reputation on the competition circuit. Many current and former national champions training there, and when top fencers arrive in London from abroad, Haverstock is often their first port of call.
They quickly managed to gain a reputation on two levels: as a place for elite fencers to train for the competition circuit, and as a friendly but professional environment for children and adults to learn how to fence.
The evidence of their success speaks for itself.
Haverstock has been a dominant force in British epee fencing, with a fearsome reputation on the competition circuit. Many current and former national champions training there, and when top fencers arrive in London from abroad, Haverstock is often their first port of call.
Roll of Honour
Haverstock Fencing Club recognises the outstanding contribution of these special individuals to the development of the club.
John Ince
Founder and Chairman
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John Ince is an accomplished multi-disciplinary athlete. A founder of Haverstock Fencing Club, he served as Chairman from its inception in 1995 until 2024. During that time, while overseeing the sporting success of the club, John secured substantial donations of equipment from suppliers and schools which we continue to use to this day. His unique coaching style has inspired several generations of Haverstock fencers. John is a Fencing Master (British Fencing, International Fencing Masters Diploma in three weapons from Profs. Bognar Gabor and Peter Frolich).
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Steve Paul
Founder, President, Coach, Olympian and Hollywood Star
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Steve Paul (b.1954 – d.2019) was a founder and President of Haverstock Fencing Club. He was also one of the UK’s best ever epeeists, competing at 8 World Championships and the 1980, 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games. He competed at both epee and foil in Moscow in 1980, but we forgive him. His titles included British and Australian Epee Champion, a gold Commonwealth medal and gold at the Martini International ‘A’ grade in 1981. Steve also worked in movies, doubling for Pierce Brosnan in ‘Die Another Day’ and training Orlando Bloom for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. He was a Maitre D’Armes from the Institute National des Sport, Paris, a graduate of the Ecole Nationale des Maîtres d’Armes and assistant to the famous UK National Coach, Bob Anderson. Paul passed away in 2019 and is missed by all.
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Peter Barrett
Founder and Head Coach
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Peter Barret is a fencing master. A founder member of Haverstock Fencing Club, he served as Head Coach for many years. With over 50 years’ fencing experience and as former coach for the Great Britain Junior team he now leads Plymouth Fencing Club, the most successful epee fencing club in the South West of England. He was voted Devon Coach of the Year in 2017. His coaching achievements include Junior World Cup gold and silver medals. Sydney 2000 Paralympics 3x gold medals and numerous national medals at junior, senior and veteran levels. He has been a National Coach for the Men's Great Britain U20 Epee Team from 1997.
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Chris Norden
Founder and Head Coach
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Chris Norden was a founder member of Haverstock and a Head Coach. He was responsible for identifying and securing Haverstock School as our premises. He held diplomas in all three weapons and coached at many prestigious venues including City of London School for Boys.
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A Blast from the Past
A profile of Haverstock Fencing Club from British Fencing's "The Sword" magazine, October 2000
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