Fencing
Exciting Extracurricular Addition
The Academy of Excellence is proud to include fencing classes in their Kindergarten curriculum.
What is it about fening?
Why Fencing?
- Improves speed, agility, flexibility, reflexes, and cardiovascular conditioning
- Enhances integrity, sportsmanship, and desire to excel
- Increases discipline, focus, and concentration
- Develops strategic thinking and decision-making skills
What to expect?
Kindergarten students will be practicing with their classmates at the school, once a week. The program will be designed and overseen by fencing master Steve Kaplan, an Olympian, national champion, and owner of the Coobra Fencing Club in Jersey City. The classes will be led by master Willy Loyola. During each class, each fencer receives both group and one-on-one instruction. Each fencer progresses at his/her own pace. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level classes will be available at the club for AOE kindergarten alumni or those who would like to master the skill this year more than once a week. Your child will be advancing from one level to the next based on the instructor’s assessment, competition participation, and results. Every June, AOE will be organizing the Cobra end-of-the-year competition for the AOE student to commemorate their first year of fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old does a child need to be to start fencing?
The best age to start fencing is 6-9 years old. However, fencing can be learned and enjoyed throughout a lifetime. Senior fencers can compete in national and world championships even after the age of 70!
Do Universities have fencing teams?
Major universities have varsity fencing teams, giving your child an opportunity to continue to practice and compete during High School and College. Here is a partial list of schools with Division I varsity men’s and women’s fencing teams:
Harvard University
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Brown University
Columbia University
Penn State University
Northwestern University
St. John’s University
University of Pennsylvania
Will my child need a uniform?
A fencer wears a jacket, a mask, knickers, and a glove. Cobra has equipment that beginners are welcome to borrow until they make a decision that they want to stay with the sport and would like to purchase their own uniform. For more information, please reach out to us and we will be happy to advise.
Steve Kaplan – Sabre
- U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Fencing Master
- 1976 U.S. Olympic Team Member – Sabre
- 1975 Pan American Games Silver Medalist
- 4 time U.S. National Team Champion
- 1971 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American – NYU
- Varsity Head Fencing Coach NYU 1980-1986
- Elected to NYU Athletic Hall of Fame 1996
- Founded Cobra Fencing Club in 2002
Willy Loyola – Epee
Willy was a mainstay on the vaunted Cuban national epee team in the 80s. He was several times Cuban national champion and competed in many World Cups and World Championships.
1987 Bronze Medal Individual World Championships
1987 Silver Medal Pan Am Games Individual and Gold Medal Team
1989 World Championships Bronze Medal Team
He earned the Fencing Master Diploma from the Italian Fencing Federation and founded Scherma Loyola in Caserta, Italy in 2002 and produced many top-level men’s and women’s epeeists.
Fencing
Exciting Extracurricular Addition
The Academy of Excellence is proud to include fencing classes in their Kindergarten curriculum.
What is it about fening?
Why Fencing?
- Improves speed, agility, flexibility, reflexes, and cardiovascular conditioning
- Enhances integrity, sportsmanship, and desire to excel
- Increases discipline, focus, and concentration
- Develops strategic thinking and decision-making skills
What to expect?
Kindergarten students will be practicing with their classmates at the school, once a week. The program will be designed and overseen by fencing master Steve Kaplan, an Olympian, national champion, and owner of the Coobra Fencing Club in Jersey City. The classes will be led by master Willy Loyola. During each class, each fencer receives both group and one-on-one instruction. Each fencer progresses at his/her own pace. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level classes will be available at the club for AOE kindergarten alumni or those who would like to master the skill this year more than once a week. Your child will be advancing from one level to the next based on the instructor’s assessment, competition participation, and results. Every June, AOE will be organizing the Cobra end-of-the-year competition for the AOE student to commemorate their first year of fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old does a child need to be to start fencing?
The best age to start fencing is 6-9 years old. However, fencing can be learned and enjoyed throughout a lifetime. Senior fencers can compete in national and world championships even after the age of 70!
Do Universities have fencing teams?
Major universities have varsity fencing teams, giving your child an opportunity to continue to practice and compete during High School and College. Here is a partial list of schools with Division I varsity men’s and women’s fencing teams:
Harvard University
Yale University
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins University
Brown University
Columbia University
Penn State University
Northwestern University
St. John’s University
University of Pennsylvania
Will my child need a uniform?
A fencer wears a jacket, a mask, knickers, and a glove. Cobra has equipment that beginners are welcome to borrow until they make a decision that they want to stay with the sport and would like to purchase their own uniform. For more information, please reach out to us and we will be happy to advise.
Steve Kaplan – Sabre
- U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Fencing Master
- 1976 U.S. Olympic Team Member – Sabre
- 1975 Pan American Games Silver Medalist
- 4 time U.S. National Team Champion
- 1971 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American – NYU
- Varsity Head Fencing Coach NYU 1980-1986
- Elected to NYU Athletic Hall of Fame 1996
- Founded Cobra Fencing Club in 2002
Willy Loyola – Epee
Willy was a mainstay on the vaunted Cuban national epee team in the 80s. He was several times Cuban national champion and competed in many World Cups and World Championships.
1987 Bronze Medal Individual World Championships
1987 Silver Medal Pan Am Games Individual and Gold Medal Team
1989 World Championships Bronze Medal Team
He earned the Fencing Master Diploma from the Italian Fencing Federation and founded Scherma Loyola in Caserta, Italy in 2002 and produced many top-level men’s and women’s epeeists.