The Olympic sport of fencing will be coming to Langholm during the summer months when Andy Alderman, Coach for the Scotland Team at the last two Commonwealth Championships comes to Langholm to coach the sport.
Organised in partnership by the David Stevenson Trust and Annandale and Eskdale Active Schools and Community Sport, Andy will be delivering 1-1 coaching for local Team GB Youth Pentathlete, Aylish Paisley. Funding provided by the David Stevenson Trust has secured the services of one of the country’s best fencing coaches to support Aylish’s development in one of the Modern Pentathlon’s five disciplines.
Children in Langholm Primary School learned about the opportunity when Aylish dropped into the school assembly to provide a talk on the sport and encourage children to go along to the free open day on Sunday 24th May. They will be able to go along and watch her fence with her coach and children, adults, mums, dads and even grandparents will be welcome back later in the day to try the sport for themselves. Following the open day, anyone still interested can sign up for a seven week coaching course held on Sunday’s at the studio.
Chair of Annandale & Eskdale Area Committee, Councillor Ronnie Ogilvie said “It is fantastic that this type of support is there for young talented athletes from this area. The costs associated with competing at a higher level can be a real barrier to progression for many young athletes and this type of support can ensure that young people get the best opportunities to realise their full potential”
Pictured from left to right – Lewis Hall, Emily Bonser, Katrina Jackson, Aylish Paisley, Callum Hall, Daniel Cartner & Chloe McMillan
