UMIST Fencing Club (1997 - 2003)
During my PhD at UMIST between 1997 and 2001, I actively participated in the University Fencing Club.
Between 1997 and 1998, I trained with the University of Manchester Club at the McDougall Centre. In 1998, I orchestrated the revival of the UMIST Fencing Club, organised for some coaches to support the club and supervised its existence for two years as club president (1998-99) and vice president (1999/2000). We trained on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the newly constructed Sugden Sports Centre on Grosvenor Street. 
I had previously only fenced with a Foil, but I was introduced to the Sabre at the UMIST Club and didn’t look back. I also spent significant time undertaking coaching experience at the club and was awarded my British Fencing Club Leaders Certificate in 2000.
I purchased a new set of Fencing whites, Sabre lame’ and two Sabres from Duellist (part owned by Bruce Dickinson - of Iron Maiden Fame) in 1999 - it was about time I updated.
I fenced with the Tameside Sabre Club under the tutelage of Les Jones, Colin Walls and Martin Roberts.
I entered a few competitions, got into the UK National Sabre Rankings (relatively low, but never the less, won a few fights and entered the UK Universities (BUSA) competition in Nottingham in 1999, where I fenced all three weapons. 
I continued training with the UMIST/University of Manchester and Tameside Club until 2003.
I developed skills in website design using Claris Homepage and progressed to Dreamweaver, designing and managing the University Club website.
The pages can be found on the following link.
http://legacy.richardholmes.org.uk/Fencing/fencing.htm