MAESTRO JOSEPH D'ONOFRIO O.A.M.
Former club master
Joseph D'Onofrio was born on the 1st of October 1935 in Telese, Italy. He received his Maestro D'Armi from the Italian Fencing Federation as a young man before immigrating to Australia in 1952. In 2008 he celebrated 60 years of fencing with the club that he founded in 1982 - Fioretto Fencing club, and in 2014 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his long running community work (including fencing).
Few people can impart in others a passion for the sport of fencing like Maestro Joseph did. While for the last 12 months of his life Maestro was unable to be actively involved in physical training, his dedication to furthering Fioretto's objectives and guiding the club with his wisdom and vision will be felt for decades to come.
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The degree of training and fitness and your investment in equipment will depend on your personal goals.
Fioretto has a diverse membership that includes fencers that regularly compete as well as non-competing, "social" fencers.
Guide for competing
| Beginner | Training frequency | 1-2 days per week |
| Competitions | Local/club, state novice | |
| Equipment | Non-FIE | |
| Intermediate | Training frequency | 2-3 days per week |
| Competitions | Local/club, state B-Grade | |
| Special training | Coaching | |
| Equipment | Non-FIE | |
| Sub-elite | Training frequency | 2-3 days per week |
| Competitions | State and national open competitions, national age-group | |
| Special training | Coaching, fitness | |
| Equipment | FIE | |
| Elite | Training frequency | 3 days per week |
| Competitions | State and national open competitions, national age-group, international | |
| Special training | Coaching, fitness | |
| Equipment | FIE |
Club Badgerequirements: full membership of Fioretto FCDescription: This is the club blazon worn by all full members on the shoulder of their non-weapon arm. It is essential to have a club blazon when entering in inter-club competition. |
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Basic ProficiencyAverage time to acheive: 6 to 12 months training after beginner's courseRequirements: Fencer must demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to execute fundamental techniques, including correct engarde position, and comport themselves within the behaviour and etiquette standards expected of fencers. They must also show familiarity with fencing terminology. |
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Advanced ProficiencyAverage time to acheive: green badge plus 1 to 2 years trainingRequirements: Fencer understands and can execute composite actions, offensive and defensive, and change of tempo. They are also capable of presiding intermediate level bouts without hesitation or assistance. Participation in inter-club competitions and a clear understanding of all fencing terminology is also required. |
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Accomplished FencerAverage time to acheive: Red badge plus 2 years or moreRequirements: An accomplished fencer understands and can execute advance parries, counter-time and composite actions at fencing speed. They are able to preside accurately over high level bouts using the correct vocabulary and hand signals. The fencer should also be capable of directing warm-up and/or footwork sessions with understanding and purpose. In addition they are required to compete or have competed at a state level, acheiving A-grade results. These fencers demonstrate control of distance and time in their bouts, as well as the ability to read their opponents and apply strategies and/or improvise accordingly. |
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CadetThe Cadets are Fioretto's junior training squad, and as such requires two things: fencers be 14 years old or less and train as part of the Cadet program on Saturdays, on a regular basis. This does not prevent juniors from training at other sessions if they are not interested or can not make these dedicated training sessions.In addition young fencers must prove themselves in the way they train before they can be given the cadet badge. This means demonstrating a consistantly good attitude towards their training through the following qualities: Enthusiasm, respect for fellow fencers, coaches and the etiquette of fencing, consistant effort in their training and a willingness to work hard at improving their skills. |
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ScudieriItalian for 'shield bearer' (apprentice knights), the Scudieri badge is awarded to cadet age club members who have shown the qualities of a true fencer. Manners, physical and mental and spiritual balance, effort, perseverence and honour, fairness and humility. |
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PaladinPaladin were knights that served and showed unquestionable loyalty to the king. Like the Scudieri, these badges are awarded to senior club members who have shown the qualities of a true fencer. Dedicated to the glory and advancement of Fioretto and the sport of fencing. Manners, physical, mental and spiritual balance, perseverance and honour, fairness and humility. |
Fencing is fun, fencing is challenging, and most importantly - fencing is safe!
Under 10's
At Fioretto we have developed programs specifically for each development stage. Our under 10's group is a mix of motor skill games, perception development, basic skills and fencing. Each 1 hour session is geared as a socially inclusive program that encourages participation, the enjoyment of skill acquisition, and social interaction, while at the same time developing powers of concentration and the ability to follow instruction.
A typical Under 10 training session now
Head coach, Brook Dunstan, leads the under 10's in a game of 'Yes/No' - a perception and decision making skills game that is a favourite with this age group.
Under supervision kids participate in a specially developed interactive game that combines their developing footwork with distance, timing, and coordination of movements - the foundations of fencing!
We often describe our youngest training session using the following metaphor: It is like a kids' meal. We hide the veggies in the stuff they like! We start with a fun series of games to warm up that help calm kids for the skills section of training. Motor skills are covered in innovative and interactive games so that kids don't realise that what they are doing is very important. The hard work comes with drills in the middle where they develop their fundamental fencing skills. This is soon followed by actual fencing, punctuated by short exercises. And then we always finish with dessert! The best games are saved for the end so that kids leave training with a laugh and a smile.
Kids are generally able to begin training in fencing from the age of 6 years, although this can depend on the individual's level of maturity. We currently have two 5 year olds learning the skills and games side of training, and fencing with foam rubber swords.
The Early Teens' (10-15 years)
Older kids, between 10 and 15 years, also have dedicated training sessions. At this point in development most kids prefer to mix in peer groups of their own age range - not being bothered by the little ones, and not being intimidated by the big ones. These sessions are more intensive than the under 10's and have less game play. Effectively they are a transition between specialised adult training and the skill acquisition focus of the youngest group. There is more fencing and skills drills, along with a handful of relevant perception games.
Transitioning from this group to adult training is an individual choice. We find that adolescents reach a point where they 'grow out' of the under 15 sessions and want to take part in adult training and challenge older and more experienced opponents. This choice is indication enough that the young fencer has the emotional maturity to handle the change.
Protective clothing comes in two standards
It is important to note that there are 2 standards of protective clothing and equipment used in fencing. FFE or 'club' equipment used for training, interclub and state level competition, and more expensive FIE (800N) equipment used in national and international competition. When investing in your equipment it is best to first ask what you want to do with your fencing. If necessary, talk to your coach to get more information.