Whitchurch Fencing Club

Fencing with an iPhone.

The Sword, April 2010
When was the last time you ran a pool at your Fencing Club ?   “What about running a pool, this evening ?”, can sometimes be a dreaded question for a Fencing Coach,  - when you realise you’ve no idea where the pool sheets are, or if you had photocopied some more before using the last one, or if not, what the sequence of bouts is for “x” fencers.  “Sounds a good idea, but who’s got the pool sheets, please ?”  - you might reply.

This was the position in Whitchurch Fencing Club, in Cardiff, until last month, when 2 of their fencers, Neil Powell, and Ged Kennedy, brought in their iPhones, on which they had downloaded the “ FencingRef ” application. The ‘App’ is simple to use  -  just input the number of fencers, and their names.   The ‘App’ then prompts you with the Order of Assault, and provides timing per bout, and an Overall Score at the end.

From a club point of view, this gives the flexibility to run a pool on an impromptu basis when required, thus livening up a club evening from time to time,  - while members wait anxiously for the outcome of their evening’s fencing !

The FencingRef also has the ability to time and record injuries, and even allows ‘cards’ to be recorded, changing colour to show a red, yellow, or black screen, so that the referee no longer has to reach into his pocket.  It costs a mere £1.19 from the iTunes Store, but first you need an iPhone, which is a little more expensive.

News Archive

Ged Kennedy and John Wiltshire using the iPhone at Whitchurch
Ged Kennedy and John Wiltshire using the iPhone at Whitchurch
Fencing Ref display
FencingRef display