20 Southern Mail Wednesday June 10 2009 SPORT

P r i d e o f C h r i s te l H o u s e
Fencers get to the point
for championships
The clang of metal rattles in the
background as the buzzer signifies the
winners and losers on the fencing
piste,but the team coached by Christel
House teacher Randall Daniels are
already winners just by donning their
fencing kit,writes JOHN ADAMS

South Africa is not strong in fenc-

ing by world standards, says the
2008 South African Olympic fencing
coach, Randall Daniels, who now
spends his time teaching pupils at
Christel House, in Ottery, and
coaching the school’s fencing team.
“The product and pride of bring-
ing fencing to these children is that
we are able to give them a chance.”
Daniels grew up in Athlone dur-
ing the early 70s and was intro-
duced to fencing while walking
home one day and seeing a group of
children “sword fighting.” PICTURE: FUAD ESACK
As he looked into the practice ■ All for one...From left,Tarryn Lasker,Wanda Matshaya, Kristen Matthews, Sheena McNab will take part in the SA national championships, at the
area, he was approached by the club University of Cape Town, this weekend.
coach, Gwen Logan.“I was asked if
I wanted to give it a try, and I really
enjoyed it,” recalled Daniels. Last year two of his fencers, can involve our kids in sport,
“Fencing started something that Sandisiwe Dingane and Wanda the chances of them going
changed my whole life. I had to Matshaya, were selected to rep- down the road of negativity
determine the path I was on, and I resent South Africa against top like drugs or any other thing is
had to achieve education. international competition in lessened,” said Daniels.
“And I did because of the disci- Catalonia. Continued on page 19 “Those
pline I learned in fencing.” However, Daniels does not who participate tend to stay in
For the past three years , Daniels measure success with wins and school and even carry on study-
has dedicated his time to teaching losses, but with how the sport ing further.”
the children at Christel House and changes the character of those
now he has more than 20 fencers on who walked the same neighbor-
his club team. hoods he did as a child.”If we Continued on page 19

Any sports
news?
email:
Clement.deane@inl.c
o.za
or call 021 488 4620

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