All-american fencing academy

Infobox Organization
name = All-American Fencing Academy


image_border =
size = 160px
caption =
motto =
formation = 2003
type =
status =
purpose = Fencing Training
headquarters = Fayetteville, NC
region_served = U.S.A
website = http://www.allamericanfencing.comThe All-American Fencing Academy began in 2003 at the Pine Forest Recreation Center in Fayetteville, NC as the Pine Forest Fencing Club, member of the United States Fencing Association.

History

In 2001, then director of the Pine Forest Recreation Center (Cumberland County and Fayetteville Parks and Recreation), Gerhard Guevarra, started fencing teaching classes weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program had a brief start with 2 students in Roanoke Rapids, NC prior to Gerhard Guevarra moving back down to Fayetteville, NC.

At the time, the program was called the Cumberland County Fencing Club and was a satellite of the North Carolina Fencing Development Program (headquartered at Chapel Hill, NC). The program started with just sabre fencers and had a small class of about 5 students.

Soon the Cumberland County Fencing Club grew and expanded into teaching all three weapons, foil, epee, and saber. Students were coming from all over Cumberland County, Fayetteville, Harnett County and Fort Bragg to learn or continue fencing.

During that time, Gerhard Guevarra met Ray Hoskins, who had just re-enlisted in the Army and was now stationed at Fort Bragg. He was a veteran fencer with a great amount of experience. He began to train and coach with the Cumberland County Fencing Club. Within a few months, Ray's wife, Patti Hoskins, also a fencer, joined him in North Carolina. The fencing program expanded by starting a new fencing class at the Lake Rim Recreation Center with Ray and Patti at the healm.

In 2003, the fencing program moved all operations and consolidated equipment and coaches on Fort Bragg, dubbing itself the All-American Fencing Club, and for the first time, becoming a United States Fencing Association member club. The All-American Fencing Club separated from the North Carolina Fencing Development Program and was now supported by the Army Fencing Association.

The All-American Fencing Club operated at the Albritton Junior High School gymnasium every Tuesday and Thursday, seeing many new fencers and Soldiers. It was during this time that the club started sending more fencers to local, regional and national tournaments, solidifying it's place as a competitive and successful club within the North Carolina Division, often placing fencers in the top 12 in tournaments.

In 2008, the All-American Fencing Club received the possible opportunity of gaining a new coach with Olympic and World Cup Championship experience. The All-American Fencing Club took this opportunity to look at the plausibility of moving the fencing program off the installation and build the program in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville.

The fencing club found a new home with the Creative Dancer's Workshop and the current members agreed to be reborn as the All-American Fencing ACADEMY. Moving the club physically and moving the club mentally from an idea of like minded athletes fencing and learning together to a formidable school that produces quality competitive fencers locally, regionally, and nationally; as well as continuing to provide recreational fencing opportunities.

The school is now located at 207 B Donaldson St. Fayetteville, NC 28301 and is still head coached by Gerhard Guevarra.

External Links

• [http://www.allamericanfencing.com All-American Fencing Academy Website]
• [http://www.northcarolinafencing.org NorthCarolinaFencing.org]
• [http://www.usfencing.org United States Fencing Association]
• [http://www.ncfencing.org North Carolina Division of the United States Fencing Association]