Coaches
Kingston Fencing Club is very lucky to have two very experienced professional coaches Lance Larson and Oksana Babaeva. The club also is helped by volunteer coaches Paul and Emmanuel. All coaches are qualified, certified, DBS checked and included on the British Fencing register of coaches.
Professor Lance Larsen
Oksana Babaeva
Oksana has a Specialist Diploma in Physical Education and Sport from the Uzbek State Institute of Physical Education 1989 and is a holder of the Soviet Master of Sport Degree.
As a five-time senior national foil champion of Uzbekistan, she was appointed junior national coach in 1998.
Oksana is now a British Fencing Level 4 coach.
Paul Netherwood
Paul started fencing in 1985 at Kingston University fencing club. He went on to run the club for many years coaching over 100 new fencers each year. He lead the club to team wins in the national polytechnic championships as well as taking the club to compete in international student competitions.
He first joined Kingston Fencing Club in 1986 and participated in domestic and international competitions with foil being his primary weapon.
Having introduced fencing to many people over the years, Paul is keen to encourage new entrants to the sport.
Together with Emmanuel, Paul coaches the Adult and Junior beginners classes. Paul is a Level 1 British Fencing Coach.
Emmanuel Therond
Emmanuel Therond began his fencing career at the age of 10 with the French club SUC-Escrime, under Maître Philippe Nicolas.
He has been on both the domestic and international fencing circuit and is still competing as a Veteran, his primary weapon being sabre.
Having had the chance to travel the world as a petroleum engineer, Emmanuel has fenced internationally including France, Mauritania, Kuwait, Denmark, Norway, the United States and now Great Britain.
Emmanuel, together with Paul Netherwood coaches the Adult and Junior beginners classes. He is also the club manager, club secretary and sabre captain of the Kingston Fencing Club. Emmanuel is a Level 1 British Fencing Coach.