Alex Harlow, left, in action for Elizabeth College at the Public Schools’ Championships at Nottingham University. (Picture by Julie Dyer, 0558936)
ELIZABETH COLLEGE were the best boys’ team at the Public Schools’ Fencing Championships.
Held at Nottingham University recently with more than 1,400 competitors from 120 schools around the country, the championships have been called the largest amateur sporting event in Europe. And the strong college side finished top of the boys’ team event and runners-up in the overall competition.
College captain James Bodkin paid credit to fencing coach Dr Rob Harnish. The Canadian took over the role in 2001 and since then the school has taken huge steps in the sport. ‘I always knew that Dr Harnish set really high standards for us,’ said Bodkin.
‘His fitness and footwork sessions are legendary. But I didn’t really know how good we were until the championships were over.
‘It is so hard to tell because it is really hard for us to get match experience here on the island. I know he is really proud of us.
‘But we’re really proud of him, too. There isn’t a coach in the world who goes further for his athletes.’
The Sarnians finished first in both foil and epee and placed second in sabre at the championships.
Across the weapons, they were first in both the Mount-Haes for Years 8 and 9 and in the senior groups. They also came second in the juniors.
The cumulative result was the largest win for a boys’ school in the history of the championships, which began in 1890.
To put the college victory into perspective, with their 244 points in the mixed event they were only 10 behind Brentwood School which has five full-time professional coaches and is one of the premier fencing academies in Great Britain, despite the college having no entries in the nine women’s events which make up half the total score.
In fact, the score of one girl would have put them on top overall.
Harnish was naturally delighted with his team.
‘I know many of the boys think that I made them winners, but the truth is they did it themselves,’ he said.
‘Guernsey is a wonderful place to work in youth sport. I have brought over the British Olympic team sabre coach from Hungary, the Athens quarter-finalist and 2006 European silver medallist at foil, the most successful epee coach in Great Britain and a few others to boot.
‘They all say the same thing – if our boys had the opportunities available to London schools, they would be unbeatable. They’re the champions.
‘I just give them a bit of advice and encouragement.’
Harnish also sees the success as another step in the right direction towards their ultimate aim.
‘We have achieved our five-year goal but that is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve,’ he said.
‘There is a new journey ahead of us now and that is to get at least one islander into the British junior and cadet squads in each weapon.
‘It is a big ask, but nothing is gained by setting your sights low.’
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