Our Coaches

A qualified and experienced coaching team has been formed for the club led by Head Coach Lewis McInley. Regardless of your ability or age the coaching team will provide encouragement and inspiration.

Lewis McInley, Head Coach
I started fencing at 13, and began giving lessons at 16. My interest in coaching has only grown since then! I’m a Maitre d’Armes (Level 5 Coach in Foil, Epee and Sabre) and I enjoy coaching a wide range of fencers with different abilities and aims. I think there’s a lot to get out of fencing, whether you approach it from a purely recreational point of view or with a more competitive mindset! I also compete myself, primarily at epee although sometimes at foil as well. See you in the club!

Gordon Mankelow: Chair and Level 1 Coach
I learnt to fence in late 2006 at the ripe old age of 37. I had been wanting to learn to fence for quite some time but my impression was that it was a sport for young people. I spoke to a couple of Clubs and it was clear that the range of fencers covered 6 years through to 80+ so I thought I would give it a go. I learnt to fence in Tonbridge and then joined Crawley Sword Club but due to the travel I gave up fencing just after a year. After that I regularly checked the British Fencing Association website for a more local Club and in September 2011 Lewes Fencing Club was set up so I joined.

For me Fencing is a great sport. It keeps you fit, although I am not as fit as I could be, but like all sports you get out of it as much as you want to put in. If you are competitive there are competitions locally, nationally even internationally for every level. The competitions are fun and friendly. It’s also the only sport I know where your opponent in a competition can range from a novice through to a Commonwealth Champion.

Simon Fox, Armourer and Assistant Coach
I started fencing when the club first started, first fencing at the YMCA and then to our current home at Lewes Leisure Centre.  I am a BAF Level 1 qualified coach and can be seen most Sundays coaching the beginners group.

Della Bowley, Competition Secretary Social Media lead and Level 2 Coach
I started fencing in May 2011 when a beginners’ course came up in my home town of Haywards Heath and immediately got hooked. There is never a dull moment as both the physical and mental elements of the sport are a continual challenge and I love how inclusive the sport can be, all ages and abilities joining in together and that’s what the Lewes Club is all about. Of course I do like trying to win as well either at the Club or at external competitions.