Our Coaches​

​Haverstock have coaches suitable for every level of fencer, from child beginners to those with national and international experience. Whatever the level of ability the focus is always on the athlete, aiming to help them improve in a fun but challenging way.

One of the club's founding principles is that individual lessons from qualified coaches are included for everyone as part of their club membership.

We aim to ensure that all of our members get at least one lesson per week in addition to the group practice available in training sessions.

This egalitarian approach ensures that the coaches can divide their time and attention equally between all fencers, regardless of their development level or financial situation.

All of Haverstock Fencing Club's coaches are affiliated to British Fencing, and appear on British Fencing's Coaching Register, which means they are appropriately qualified, have been DBS checked, trained in First Aid and anti-doping regulations.

Alex Agrenich

Alex Agrenich has been coaching at HFC since 1999.

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 ranked 5th in the Moscow Junior Olympics. From 1995, he continued to fence in numerous international events.  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.

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.

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Anna Anstal

Anna Anstal has been coaching at HFC since 2024.

Anna is our latest recruit, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to our U14 sessions on Tuesdays. 

A lifelong fencer, competing for Moscow Fencing Club "Dinamo", Anna was a student champion and ranked in the top 15 for women's epee in Russian and was later an epee and foil coach for that club, running sessions for children and adults. 

Anna is intimidatingly well qualified, with a degree in Sport from the Russian University of Physical Education Sport and Tourism, and a masters degree in sport psychology from the Greenwich University 
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Angelina Hoshko

Angelina has been coaching at HFC since 2025

Angelina first represented Ukraine in international competitions as a cadet and achieved top 8 finishes at FIE Satellite World Cup events in Senior and U23 categories. She began her coaching career in 2018 while completing her Master’s degree at Lviv State University of Physical Culture and Sport in Ukraine. She broadened her international coaching experience in Canada, where she worked with members of Canada’s national cadet and junior fencing teams. She has coached athletes of all ages, including children, adults, and veteran fencers, showcasing her versatility and unwavering commitment to fostering growth and excellence in every fencer.  Angelina  is passionate about developing young athletes, guiding them in refining their skills and sportsmanship.

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Kate Smith

Kate Smith has been coaching at HFC since 2025

Kate Smith, has been associated with Haverstock since its foundation. She's joining us for at least the rest of this term, helping with the juniors and giving senior lessons on Thursday evenings.
 
Kate has competed at various levels, including county, national, and international events, representing Great Britain at key competitions such as the first Women’s Epee World Championships. She was senior British champion in 1988, four-time Veteran British Champion and multiple medallist in the Veteran World and Commonwealth Championships. Kate began coaching in the early 2000s, and has multiple coaching qualifications in all weapons. 

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Adam M. Steiner

Adam Steiner has been Coaching at HFC since 2020.

Inspired by a love of history and the romance of swordplay, Adam started fencing as a teenager in the 1980s at City of London School. Like many fencers of his generation, he was forced to begin with a foil. Luckily, in the late 1990s, he joined Haverstock Fencing Club and discovered the joys of epee and later met his wife, Christine, who also fences at the club.

Adam has 37 years of experience as a senior competitor and coach at multiple clubs in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong and achieved a national rank of 38th in UK Senior fencers. Having coached on an informal basis for many years, Adam achieving his Coaching qualification in 2021. 

Adam is focused on development coaching of the club's younger fencers. He seeks to encourage students to develop a lasting love of the practice and theory of fencing in a safe, enjoyable and respectful environment.

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Stephan Munn

Stephan Munn has been coaching at HFC for a very long time

Since starting fencing in the mid 70’s in Belfast, Stephan has represented his school and Northern Ireland in three weapons and Senior Northern Ireland Team at many Quads and two Commonwealth Championships. He still competes regularly on the UK senior and Veterans circuit in the UK and Europe, and for Ireland at FIE events.Stephan's first coaching qualification was achieved in 1993 (County Coach with AFA). He has Level 2 Foil in 2012 (BFA). He has coached at Blackheath, Tooting, and Imperial College, and was Team manager for Wandsworth at the London Youth Games from 2008 to 2017. 
 
At Haverstock, Stephan leads the adult beginner courses at Haverstock and offers individual coaching, He als offers positive vibes in between rewires.

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