ABOUT THE VERMONT FENCING ALLIANCE
TENTATIVE schedule for the fall session is now posted on the Schedule page (still awaiting confirmation from our host schools). We are now registering new students for beginner classes. We are always looking for new club members! To get on our email list for upcoming classes, please contact Viveka. Fees and registration process remain the same as last season.
We offer an active program of recreational fencing and competitive training for people age 9 through adult. Our activities include foil and epee classes at all levels, open fencing, a regional league for friendly competition, and travel to meets throughout New England and beyond. Whether you want to go for the gold, or just try a little swashbuckling for fun and exercise, the VFA warmly welcomes beginners.
Our Competitive Squad program is open by invitation to experienced fencers ages 13 through adult. Competitive Squad members train together and support eachother in the pursuit of their fencing goals, while serving the club as a core group of motivated and enthusiastic athletes. The success of the program can be measured by the medals the athletes bring home, but more importantly, by the fun they have and the lessons they learn about dedication, leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork.
Head coach Viveka Fox, a former all-Ivy fencer and North Atlantic womens foil champion, has over 45 years of fencing experience. She is the founder and past president of the USAF Green Mountain Division, and a nationally certified referee. She is a USFCA accredited Moniteur (instructor). In 2019, Viveka qualified to represent the US in age 50-60 womens foil at Veteran World Championships for the second time. She believes that fencing is not just another sport, but is a creative way of thinking and moving that links us to the past and allows us to express ourselves as individuals. She is a great believer in and supporter of lifelong athletes and grassroots fencing. When not fencing, she plays in the New England roots music band Atlantic Crossing, the Celtic band Frost and Fire, and tries to spend as much time as possible outdoors.
Assistant coach Colton Henty has been apprenticing with Viveka for the last couple of seasons. He has attended several regional coaching clinics and earned his Moniteur certification. He has also gained experience teaching fencing while working as a camp counselor at Adirondack Camp, and running an after school fencing program in Cornwall. He will be teaching the Middlebury Level 1 class this fall, and will continue to coach the Charlotte Level 2 youth group, as well as offer private lessons when feasible. He is known for his fun energy, enthusiasm, and impressive athletic abilities.
Read some May 2024 coverage in the VtDigger on-line newspaper:
https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/19/in-charlotte-fencers-find-their-yoda-in-viveka-fox/
Watch VFA coach Viveka Fox, and teen competitive fencers in a local "Going for the Gold" segment from August, 2016:
www.mynbc5.com/article/go-for-the-gold-nbc-5s-abby-isaacs-takes-a-stab-at-fencing/3039121
Fencing for young children: Fencing has complex rules (not intuitive) and requires a high degree of hand-eye and body coordination. Our classes are fast paced, and geared for older children, teens and adults. We would rather have children wait until they are old enough to have a successful experience in our classes than to have them give up in frustration. Our minimum age for students is 9. There is no upper age limit for fencing-we have club members who are over 60 years old, and really enjoy our adult beginner students! If you have children who are interested in fencing but too young to join the VFA, you can cultivate their interest by bringing them to observe a class and/or watch a tournament. Spectators are welcome at all of our activities free of charge.
See Schedule for details on classes and practices in Middlebury and Charlotte.
For more information on other Green Mountain Division member clubs, go to www.gmdfencing.org