At HB Blades we enjoy introducing the Olympic sport of fencing to children, teenagers and adults alike in the Hawke’s Bay Region.

Get ready to learn new skills, set and accomplish goals of the body and mind, and try a sport that is safe, dynamic and thought provoking!

We firmly believe that fencing is a lifelong passion where you as an individual should embrace, learn, practise and perfect the ancient art of fencing. So start your journey with us today.

Stephanie Gilbert (nee Thomson) and Raymond van Rijk (Gourmet BBQ Chef) started the ‘Hawke’s Bay Fencing Club’ in the early 1990s to give others the opportunity to experience the sport and rekindle their association with fencing.

Based in Mahora, they had a number of people come through the club and enjoy the sport.

Stephanie, an epeeist, had been involved with the Scottish National team and then in New Zealand was more involved in administration and management, managing the New Zealand Team to the World Championships and the Commonwealth Federation Championships.

Raymond, a sabreur, learned his fencing in the Netherlands and competed very successfully in a number of tournaments across Europe.

In 2014, Jules Congalton moved up from Wellington and took over the running of ‘Hawke’s Bay Fencing Club’ and the club was based in Clive until 2016 when it moved to Havelock North and in 2018 was renamed “Hawke’s Bay Blades”.

2018, the club grew its coaching ranks again with Baz Clark relocating from Wellington to join the team as Head Coach. Baz has fenced on 2 NZ Commonwealth Teams accross mutiple weapons and divisions (2014 and 2018), won multiple national events and served overseas as a Nationally appointed coach he has brought with him a wide range of knowledge, experience and skills to the club.