Our People
With a legacy of Olympic experience, international success and national titles, The Fencing Institute is proud to be home for some of New Zealand's most decorated fencers and coaches.
Whether you’re a novice eager to learn the basics or a seasoned competitor looking to take the next step, our commitment to fostering skill, strategy, and sportsmanship ensures that our members thrive on and off the piste.
Whether you’re a novice eager to learn the basics or a seasoned competitor looking to take the next step, our commitment to fostering skill, strategy, and sportsmanship ensures that our members thrive on and off the piste.
Hamish Clarke
Club Captain Hamish is an experienced fencer, with multiple national titles including back-to-back New Zealand Open Championships in foil. Hamish is our male Club Captain and heads up The Fencing Institutes' efforts to provide the best venue in the country. Currently, Hamish is assisting with the organisation of the 2024 Commonwealth Junior Fencing Championships, which will be held in Christchurch this year. |
Madelaine Barbarics
Club Captain Maddy is an experienced fencer and a member of the team New Zealand sent to the 2022 Commonwealth Fencing Championships. Maddy is our female Club Captain and takes the lead on technical and design work. Outside of fencing Maddy has a master’s degree in disaster risk and resilience and is looking to continue research in this area. |
Martin Brill
Maître d'Armes Maître Martin is one of New Zealand’s most qualified coaches and highest performing recent fencers, holding a World Ranking of 23rd. A French trained and qualified Maître d'Armes in Foil, Epee and Sabre, Martin has coached fencers at local competitions all the way to the Olympics. Maître Martin is a double Olympian, (NZ Olympian #411), placing 7th in Individual Epee at the 1988 Seoul Olympics surpassing his 15th place at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Martin has also won the New Zealand Open Championship in epee 6 times, most recently in 2013. Martin has extensive experience in fencing technique, combat training, fencing physical preparation, mental skills training, and both technical and tactical analysis, and athlete development training programmes. |
Steve Clarke
Technical Adviser and Co-Founder With 14 Open National Championships to his name, Steve stands as one of New Zealand most decorated fencers in both Foil and Epee. Steve set up The Fencing Institute in 2004 and now provides strategic insight and mentorship to the committee. Steve also coaches some of New Zealand's top ranked foil fencers at The Fencing Institute. Outside his work with The Fencing Institute, Steve chairs the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. |
Chris Nokes
Coach - Rangiora With three New Zealand Open epee championships and 11 South Island Championships, Chris is a highly experienced epee fencer. Chris leads our Rangiora-based club where he coaches. Outside of fencing Chris is a retired research scientist. |
Bronwyn Thomson
Club Administrator |
Ruairi Boyd
Armorer |
Ryan Sadler
Treasurer Ryan is a competitive epee fencer and won the New Zealand Open Championship in the team epee in 2023. At The Fencing Institute, Ryan works to prepare our club budgets, capex program, and ensures the club maintains best practice administrative procedure. Outside of his work with The Fencing Institute, Ryan is a Product Development Engineer working in the medical tech space. |
Dylan Thomson
Coach Dylan is a current competitive fencer in foil and epee, with top placing results at the South Island Championships and Presidents Cup. Dylan leads our administrative and rostering efforts for our classes, in-school-fencing and outreach programs. as well providing coaching himself. Dylan is available to coach club members and provides strategic insight to our competitive fencers. |