In this episode, Georgina interviews Mark Lyttle, Chair of British Fencing as he talks sailing.. and a bit of fencing and football. Hear how long summer school holidays having fun in second-hand wooden boats, turned into a lifelong passion and competitive career. Don't miss the part about him representing Ireland in the 1996 Olympic Games, where a momentary loss of concentration put all his mental preparation to the ultimate test...

British Fencing - Be You. Be Different.

On Board with Mark Lyttle, Olympic Sailor and Chair of BF

In this episode, hosted by BF's CEO Georgina Usher, we hear the story of a young lad growing up in Belfast who moves to London and onto Germany in pursuit of his Olympic dream. Two times Olympian (Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992) and BF Olympic Team Manager Johnny Davis gives us a fascinating insight into the qualities that made him a successful athlete – and how his parents supported him (it’s probably not what you expect!). We also get the chance to hear about Johnny’s plans to support the next generation of Olympic fencers in his new role with British Fencing.   Learn about how he first discovered fencing and the stint in a hospital bed that led to him pursuing a career in fencing. Hear how he travelled solo and carved out opportunities, overcame barriers and learned about himself and the world. Discover his hopes and plans for the future of BF.  

Johnny Davis, from Belfast to Barcelona #MyFencingWorld

In episode 6 we meet John Jones from London Youth, and the great coaches from Cray Wanderers Football Club. In this episode: Why fencing? Find out what the coaches from Cray Wanderers think about fencing and how they deliver it to their community. Hear how fencing made a difference to young people, including how fencing has been used to tackle deeper social issues in urban communities. Meet the coaches who have developed their skills through apprenticeships, discovering new a new sport with the Core Coach course from British Fencing. Learn all about how the partnership with London Youth has changed since it first started years ago.   If you are interested in learning more about the partnerships we create to change young peoples' lives, please contact us at media@britishfencing.com  

Uniting London Youth

Whether you're a parent, a coach, athlete or supporter, the next generation has a role to play in the future of sport. In this episode we talk about creating a positive environment for our young people, giving them the support needed to succeed as people with life skills through sport. What does a good sports environment look and sound like? How can parents can work with coaches to create a positive environment? Find out more about the motivation of 'fun' and why early success may not be the key to a lifelong love of sport Discover tips on how to cope with disappointment Hear about how elite athletes can inspire the next generation   Sophie talks to Gordon MacLelland about how parents can work with coaches to create a positive environment for the next generation. https://www.parentsinsport.co.uk/          

Parents in Sports - A Guide to Enjoying the Journey

In Episode 4 of the Be You, Be Different podcast, Sophie chats to New York based GBR Olympic fencer Marcus Mepstead.  We talk sports, travel and the inspiration of other sports people like Roger Federer and Dame Kelly Holmes. Find out who inspired Marcus the most, what he has learned from his journey so far, and discover his hopes for the future. #fencinginspires  Read More about Marcus here. 

Fencing Inspires: The Journey of Marcus Mepstead

Episode 3 of the #BeYouBeDifferent podcast: we're talking about money. How can a sports club raise funds? What would Sean do if he won the lottery? How does British Fencing use your membership and funding to grow our sport? All your questions are answered in interviews with CEO Georgina Usher, Salle Holyrood club fundraiser Jo Cook and Scottish Fencing athlete Mhairi McLaughlin, sponsored by Pulseroll    

Money Money Money

Sophie and Sean look at British Fencing's Athlete Development Programme (ADP), aimed at helping fencers aged 15-23 achieve their potential. Insightful interviews with Steve Kemp, British Fencing's Programmes Manager; Rob Cawdron, ADP Project Officer: athletes Alice Campbell and Danielle Lawson and ADP sabre lead coach, Jon Salfield.   Sponsors: pulseroll.com   ADP home page: https://www.britishfencing.com/gbr-fencing/gbr-development-programmes/gbr-athlete-development-programme/

Developing the Athletes of the Future

In our first episode, Sean and Sophie talk mental health. The 7th of February is Time to Talk Day. We interview Jo Kowalski of social movement Time to Change, Paul Davis of the Paul Davis Fencing Academy and Team GB sabreur JJ Webb for a fascinating insight into mental health in our sport. Our sponsor: Maison de Choup https://maisondechoup.co.uk/ Time to Change: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/ Paul Davis Fencing Academy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teampdfa British Fencing: https://www.britishfencing.com/    

Episode 1 - Time To Talk

Discover the world of British Fencing. From grassroots visions to Olympic dreams, we reveal how this sport has a past and future to talk about.

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British Fencing - Be You. Be Different.

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