Fencing

"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