The Polytechnic Fencing Club

Established 1883

Coaching Profile

Our coach, John 'Jes' Smith has a long-standing association with The Polytechnic Fencing Club bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the club. He has coached pupils from 6 to 60 and from novice to national and international.

He still continues to compete actively, fencing in The World Masters and winning honours in veterans events, demonstrating commitment to the sport, and bringing the competitive edge to coaching skills.

Whatever your weapon, foil, épée or sabre, The Polytechnic can provide the coaching!

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John 'Jes' Smith
'Jes' started fencing whilst still at school and has been involved with all aspects of fencing for four decades.

He trained both as a fencer and a coach with a number of well-known fencing masters; Goodall, Harmer-Brown, Pearson, Imregi and first taught at The Polytechnic as assistant to 'Master Coach' Bela Imregi in the 1980s

Jes completed his coaching award with the then Amateur Fencing Association (now the British Fencing Association) in 1973. Later, in 1979 as a professional, he obtained the advanced coaching award of the British Academy of Fencing.
He progressed to attain the Diploma of the Academy in 1985 achieving the status of fencing master at the three weapons - foil, épée and sabre and becoming a Master of the Academie d’Armes Internationale. Subsequently he ran his own successful club in London and was for several years coach to both the senior and junior national squad for women's épée, before returning to The Polytechnic as senior coach in 2000

He has prepared and coached fencers to international level, attended Senior and Junior World Championships, and has produced Commonwealth medalists, national champions and finalists.

Jes coaches full-time at clubs and schools in and around London, whilst also being a coach educator for The British Academy of Fencing and England Fencing. He is the author of " Foil Fencing - The techniques & Tactics of Modern Foil". Also available as an e-book to download from Summersdale.com

His website is www.fencingmaster.co.uk where you can find more information to get you started fencing