Welcome to
Pembroke Fencing Club!
Founded by Philip Lee in 2001, Pembroke Fencing Club was set up to provide hobbyists and competitive fencers alike the opportunity to learn, improve in and enjoy the historic sport of fencing.
In 2007 the club engaged Olga Velma, right, an Estonian coach and fencing master with many years of experience and success. Olga specialises in developing the sport for school children and students. She has had many remarkable results both nationally and internationally. In 2011 she gained International FIE Epee/Foil coaching Diploma from Hungary, earning her the title of Maìtre Dàrmes. Her tuition gives fencers instruction and knowledge to fence intelligently and safely on the piste. Pembroke feels fortunate to have such a coach to assist our beginners, as well as our younger members.
The Pembroke Juniors have played host to many achievements over the years, regularly competing in competitions both in Ireland, Nothern Ireland and abroad including the prestigious Marathon Foil tournament in Paris, Wratislawia Challenge in Poland, International Fencing Festival in Poznan, Cadets and Juniors World Cups, Cadet`s and Junior`s European and World Championships.
There is a warm and friendly atmosphere in the club and plenty of advice amongst fellow fencers. Fencing is very much a sport for men and women of all ages and abilities, and you don`t have to be incredibly fit to be a competent fencer.
We welcome all ages and abilities and love you to join us as a member of Pembroke Fencing Club! We’re a very friendly community and we’re always delighted to see new faces. Drop-in visitors from other clubs, cities, and countries are very welcome!
Our coaches
Olga Velma
Olga Velma has been involved in fencing for almost 34 years and has trained under several National Team and Olympic coaches. Olga specialises in developing the sport for school children and students and is a respected fencing master in Europe Personally she has had many remarkable results being repeated champion and medal winner of the Estonian Epee Championships in junior and senior fencing. She came second in the Junior’s World Cup in 1995 and was 5th at the 1996 Cadet’s World Championships. 1998 Junior`s European Championships – Bronze in the team event, 1999 Junior`s World Championships – Bronze in the team event. Olga was a champion of the Irish Open in 2008 and a finalist of the Irish Open in 2009. Also, Olga is a generous and splendid coach who works hard with young children. In 2011 she gained her FIE coaching Diploma doing the FIE training course for the master of arms at épée and foil.
Claudio Sosa
Claudio Sosa started fencing when he was 5 years old and ever since he has been in love with the sport. Claudio started competing internationally when he was 9 and has represented Ireland in many competitions such as numerous World Cups European. Claudio has fenced all over the world gaining experience from competitions and high performance training camps. He came 5th in a European U14 circuit and continues to improve his skills to get better. Claudio the current No.1 in the Irish ranking for men’s foil and has defended his title for 4 years. He has won numerous national circuit competitions such as the West of Ireland Open, the South of Ireland Open, the Derry Open and the Northern Ireland Open several times. He has come second at the Irish Open and the National Championships on a number of occasions and he would like to pass his experience down to the younger generation.
Emilia Velma
Emilia Velma is an Irish female foilist who coaches and fences in Pembroke. Emilia has been fencing for over 16 years (since she was 6) and she has been coaching regularly in the club for the last 3+ years. Beforehand Emilia was competing internationally for Ireland since age 11 and some of her results include: Youth 5 Nations champion 2018 & 3rd place in 2019. International Competition Poznań 2017- 8th. Inflight Challenge Bocholt (Seniors) 2019- 1st place. Challenge Wratislavia 2017- 16/157. She also competed in the Cadet European & World championships placing 43/120. Emilia has won the Irish Nationals, the Irish Open, the Derry Open, the East of Ireland Open, and multiple national competitions in the senior circuit through the years and she has been previously ranked first in Ireland at senior and junior level for multiple years.