Fencing

CAF SPORTS SUPPORT STAFF

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  Major-General D.R. Yarker

  PATRON View Bio
  

  2021 - present

  Major-General D.R. Yarker

  PATRON

  "Integration into uniformed life can hard, really hard. I am sure it isn’t any easier today, and could even be more difficult than it was for me over 30 years ago. For me sports was the key, crucial really, to making the transition into the military, if not smooth, at least possible.  That is not to say it was clear from the beginning; in fact sport did not come to me easily. I had no history of it on arrival in the CAF.  Fitness – OK; a desire to win – absolutely; but specific skills in a specific sport, not really.  
  
  In any other place, in any other profession, I don’t think I would have found sport.  One of the unique and truly advantageous aspects of a military life is the range of opportunities to pursue sport – whether it followed you into service, or you found it while in uniform. The activity, the expertise, the camaraderie, or even just the opportunity to expand your horizons is outstanding.
  
  For me whether it was the opportunity to develop skills from scratch and compete at the university and national levels as a fencer or simply deepen my connection to my unit as a member of the unit ball hockey team – sport has been an essential part of my career.  It is something that everyone can benefit from and frankly everyone should.
  
  Although sport has been severely challenged by our current reality during the Pandemic, I know that some are lucky enough to be able to continue their efforts safely and for the remainder I maintain hope for the future.  
  
  It is an honour to be the Fencing Patron, and I cannot wait to see our athletes on the piste again."

  PREVIOUS PATRONS
  2013 - 2020	Brigadier-General J.J.M. Girard
  Unknown - 2012	Brigadier-General H.F. Jaeger

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  Vacant

  Head Coach View Bio
  

  Vacant

  Head Coach
• 

  Major V. McCormick

  Team Manager View Bio
  

  2023 - present

  Major V. McCormick

  Team Manager

  Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Major McCormick joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2012 and has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Major McCormick’s previous posting was a tower controller at 3 Wing Bagotville where she worked with helicopters, fighter jets, commercial airlines and civilian pilots, and controlled in both official languages. She loved her time in Bagotville and would like to say thank you to her wonderful supervisors for helping shape her into the leader that she is today.
  
  Sport has always been a strong part of Major McCormick’s life, growing up she participated in ultimate frisbee, ice hockey, field hockey and snowboarding. It wasn’t until she joined the CAF that she discovered the sport of fencing through the national level coaches at RMC, who fostered her love for the sport and who gave her the tools to learn, grow and continue to make sport a part of her adult life. She has been a member of the CISM Fencing Team for the past 7 years, competing at multiple regional, national, and international events including the World Military Games. Throughout her time in the CAF, she has also participated on her base hockey and volleyball teams. She was awarded the 3 Wing Female Athlete of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.
  
  Major McCormick has always enjoyed the challenging aspects of sport, both physically and mentally. Through competing, coaching and teaching different sports, she has been able to develop as an athlete and a leader, and use experiences learnt through sport directly in her everyday and work life as she faces new challenges. She is looking forward to the opportunity to be the CAF International Fencing Team Manager and would encourage anyone with fencing experience, or that would like to try the sport to reach out.