Australian Fencers Arrive With Gift Trophy

Press, Volume C, Issue 29516, 18 May 1961, Page 2

Australian Fencers Arrive With Gift Trophy

When a party of 13 Australian fencers from The Swords Club, Sydney, arrived in Christchurch by air last evening, they brought with them a large silver rose bowl which will be presented to the New Zealand Amateur Fencing Association in appreciation of hospitality Shown to Australian fencers who recently visited New Zealand. An Australian representative team visited New Zealand last Easter, and an Australian universities team is now in Christchurch as part of a Dominion tour.

Leader of the party which arrived last evening is Professor Joan Beck, graduate of the British Academy of Fencing and principal of The Swords’ Club, Sydney. Her team of nine women and four men is on a holiday tour which will include fencing to give the many beginners in the party an opportunity to improve their sport. Included in the team, however, is Miss K. Baxter, who was an Australian representative in foil events at the Rome Olympic Games. As instructor at The Swords’ Club (which has about 200 pupils). Professor Beck teaches fencing morning. afternoon and evening. “Fencing requires absolute fitness mentally and physically to become proficient." she said. “It demands speed of decision, patience and plenty of stamina. I would say it is the only sport that really requires brainwork and split-second timing” “Battle of Wits” “It is a battle of wits with your opponent,” Miss Baxter added. “And It takes from five to 10 years to make a fencer.” Although big demands are made on anyone who wants to become a winner, many young men and women have taken up the sport to help a disability, particularly asthma. Miss Baxter had a back injury which completely disappeared after a short time fencing, and she was able to stop wearing a back brace. “But you do not become a champion unless you are cured of such a disabiliy,” she said.

Miss Baxter is a travel representative in Sydney who “sells” tours for the Pacific area. She competed in the world fencing championships in Philadelphia, United States, in 1958, was the Australian women's foil champion in 1959, and represented her country at the Olympic Games in 1960. Programme

While in Christchurch the party will fence with members of the Christchurch Swords’ Club, hosts to the visitors, and with members of the University Fencing Club and the United Fencing Club. Professor Beck and Miss Baxter are staying with Mrs E. McElwee, women’s captain of the Christchurch Swords’ Club and vice-presi-dent of the Canterbury Amateur Provincial Fencing Council.