USA Fencing Partners With Groups to Introduce Columbus Youth to Fencing
by Bryan Wendell
COLUMBUS, Ohio — When USA Fencing visits a city, we want our impact to extend beyond hotel nights, dining, and shopping.
That’s why our Outreach team partners with local groups to introduce the sport we love to young people who might not otherwise try it.
During Summer Nationals in Columbus, our collaboration with Hilltop YMCA, 2-4-1, and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission led to more than 100 youth discovering the excitement of fencing. This effort, part of a broader initiative, engaged a total of 155 individuals as part of our commitment to making fencing accessible to diverse communities.
More than half of the youth participants benefit from low income-based assistance, and many came from under-represented groups. Those facts underscore USA Fencing’s ongoing dedication to inclusivity and diversity within the sport.
“Our goal is to break down barriers and create opportunities for all youth to experience the joy and lifelong value of fencing,” says Dr. Shannon Jolly, Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. “By partnering with local organizations, we’re making strides toward a more inclusive and diverse fencing community in every city we visit.”
But we’re not done. In a renewed partnership with Columbus City Schools, USA Fencing and our partners at 2-4-1 will host a professional development session for 100 PE teachers, aiming to introduce fencing programs in local schools. This initiative is designed to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to engage students in this dynamic sport. (Interested? Fill out the interest form at the bottom of this page.)
Our Columbus efforts also featured an educational panel attended by 48 people where we discussed holistic approaches to making fencing more accessible. Participants even got their own 2-4-1 fencing demonstration, experiencing fencing in the best possible way: by trying it themselves.
“This is only the beginning — in Columbus and beyond,” Jolly says. “The work continues as we open the door to fencing as wide as we can.”
