Many people would love to try fencing – the exciting, adventure-packed, fun, and safe sport of swordfighting – but think it's out of their reach. However, Western Swords is no ordinary fencing club. We're a uniquely welcoming and inclusive club that wants to give everyone (and we mean everyone) the chance to fence. We're multicultural, LGBTQIA+-friendly, neurodivergent-friendly, and Deaf- and disability-friendly. We welcome fencers of all ages from 6 to 106 (very young children need to have a parent on-site). We love it when families fence together! And we do our very best to make fencing possible for people of all backgrounds, fitness levels, neurotypes, and abilities. We're conveniently located in Melbourne's western suburbs. We provide all equipment for fencers to borrow on training nights. Our coaches are certified with Fencing Victoria, and have current first-aid certification and Working with Children Checks. We provide a warm, supportive environment for all our fencers to learn new skills. Best of all, we don't charge any fees whatsoever! That's right. Western Swords gives everyone the chance to fence at absolutely no cost whatsoever. No strings, no conditions, no fees of any kind. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support of Fencing Victoria, we can provide fencing to anyone who wants to learn. Fencing is one of the best sports in the world (we think it's actually the best, but perhaps we're biased). It teaches coordination, balance, strength, fitness, courtesy, respect, self-confidence, and self-control. Not only that, but it beckons new fencers into a world of adventure and possibility! If someone's dream of fencing can come true, what other dreams might follow? We invite you to come and find out! We train Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 pm during school terms at: St. Albans Meadows Primary School 2a Laurel Street, St. Albans, VIC For more information, contact Head Coach Laura Goodin on 0432 695 505 or at coachlaura@westernswords.org Photo: Tony Elshof About Coach Laura Coach Laura began fencing in her late 40s, and has been a certified fencing coach since 2012. She has competed successfully in foil, épée, and sabre. She also holds a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do and has trained in judo, hapkido, and Western (Olympic-style) archery. She loves fencing very much, and started Western Swords so that everyone could have a fencing home. Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge that we train on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and we pay our respects to their elders, past, present, and emerging. Inclusion Statement Everyone at Western Swords – coaches, fencers, and board members – takes responsibility for creating a culture of inclusion, increasing representation, and holding ourselves accountable at every level. We can bring fencing to everyone only if everyone feels welcome. If you would like to support us in our mission of bringing fencing to everyone, you are very welcome to go to the Western Swords GoFundMe page to make a donation. And thank you!