Testimonials

My husband and I would like to thank you for the superb programming that you offer at Bucks County Fencing Academy. Our daughter started with you after learning about an introductory program you offered in conjunction with a local Parks and Recreation Department. That was three years ago, and now she will be fencing on the University of Pennsylvania's fencing team!

What started as a casual interest became a passion. BCAF offered a place for her to grow. Her instructors were very patient, and she had capable instruction as she progressed in ability. She dabbled in epee, and tried foil but settled in with saber. With all three weapons she received training that was impeccable. There was no smoke and mirrors, just dedicated staff who insisted on proper instruction and were magnificent at bringing out the best in their students. We were confident that she was receiving the proper instruction by highly qualified staff.

Our family also values academics, and your club afforded our daughter the chance to learn her sport without sacrificing academic time. The dates and times available for classes and open bouting permitted her to have flexibility when taking exams or needing extra study time. In addition to academics we have always stressed the need for socialization. At your Academy she has met many friends of all ages, and loved attending the social events that you organize.

Mark, through your dedication to fencing, you have given our child a lifelong sport, improved her confidence and given her an understanding of how to accomplish her dreams. We could never pay you any amount of money for these gifts, I hope our heartfelt thank you will suffice.

After fencing competitively in high school and college, I decided to return to the sport in 2001 when I relocated to New Jersey for my job. Having had little practice in the previous seven years, I thought maybe I would take some lessons and show up to bout once in a while.

It didn't take long before I was back in competition mode. I brushed up my skills in intermediate classes for a few months, and then Maestro Holbrow invited me to join the competition training group when he saw I was serious about competing. Just over a year after joining, I fenced in my first North American Circuit tournament and started qualifying for Nationals -- something I had never considered even as a college fencer. In addition, I was offered private lessons with Maestro Jim Flint.

It's very difficult to break 20 years of bad habits, but the individual attention and style of instruction from all the instructors have helped me improve my form, technique and performance tremendously. BCAF has an outstanding roster of high-level fencers, and yet every single student is encouraged to improve, excel and, most important, have fun. As fencers develop their skills, they are actively encouraged to fence more frequently and are always welcomed by the more experienced fencers.

As an adult member, I have felt as valued as students who are just starting their fencing adventures. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the club is also a wonderful aspect of the club. I've made many good friends and enjoyed good times joking around and socializing with everyone from 14-year-old beginners to fencing parents eager for some insight. Lots of clubs offer training, and more for their best fencers; BCAF makes it fun, challenging and rewarding for everyone.

When our 9 year old son came to us and asked if he could take fencing lessons, we didn't even know he knew what fencing was! Once we realized he was really serious, we knew that Bucks County Academy of Fencing was the only place we would consider. Ron had taken fencing instruction several years ago and never dreamed that his son would someday want to do the same.
We contacted Lisa at BCAF and Ryan was able to start an introductory course almost immediately. He fell in love with fencing after his first lesson.
It has been 3 years now and the instruction he has received from Maestro Holbrow has benefited him in so many ways. He has become more outgoing and confident. He has progressed beyond the introductory level now and has taken lessons from several of the instructors at BCAF. They have all worked with him and pushed him out of his comfort level giving him guidance and encouragement. In our opinion, there is no better place for fencing than BCAF, no matter the age or previous ability!

Ron and Karen Bothers, May 2006

I am writing this testimonial on the occasion of BCAF’s 25^th anniversary. Our family has been proudly associated with BCAF for about 1/3 of that time! Our elder son started lessons there in 1998, after discovering fencing in high school. Even though he was unable to fence year-round because of school obligations, his skills improved enormously under the tutelage of BCAF’s wonderful instructors. A year or two later his younger brother followed him into the sport, and is now a fixture (and sometimes a medalist!) at divisional, sectional and National level tournaments. Over the years, between the two boys, we have had direct experience with classes given by just about every instructor at BCAF – Maestro Mark Holbrow, Maestro Jim Flint, Jeremy Schmid, Mitch Davis, Dirk Goldgar, and Hunter Moseley. The level of instruction has been uniformly excellent, and all the instructors treat every fencer – regardless of age, experience, natural athletic ability or lack thereof – with equal respect, patience and consideration. All are generous above and beyond the call of duty with their time, advice and help. I am convinced that just about ANYBODY can learn to fence, and fence well, at BCAF, if they put in the time it takes to master this interesting and complex sport. I have witnessed the transformation of the rather uncoordinated-looking newbie to the sure-footed, competent and confident performer on the strip time and time again, no matter the age group - kids, teens, adults and veterans!

Both of our sons have benefited enormously from their association with BCAF, as fencers and as developing young people. For the younger one in particular, who has trained at BCAF for a significant chunk of his childhood, the lessons learned - of winning and losing with grace and courtesy, of persisting in the face of difficulty and under pressure, of always treating one’s opponent with respect - go far beyond the physical, and the mere act of fencing itself. As a parent, I am very happy and grateful to have had this opportunity for my children.

Our decision to give our grandson, Matt Maiorelli, fencing lessons for his 7^th birthday has turned out to be one of the best we’ve ever made. Now 15, Matt has won over 30 medals and trophies in competitions throughout the country, thanks to the guidance, encouragement and training received from the consummate fencing professionals at BCAF. While winning has certainly buoyed Matt’s overall self-confidence, which colors almost everything he does in life from school work to personal relationships, it is the training itself that has allowed him to cultivate and appreciate the glorious results of hard work and dedication to task. As a fencing family, we, too, have benefited enormously from Matt’s participation in the sport in the form of our “extended fencing family,” people we and Matt look forward to seeing at every event. For anyone seeking an activity for their children that truly teaches life skills as well as athleticism, fencing should be a consideration.

Bucks County Academy of Fencing was an excellent experience in fencing and sportsmanship for my son. He enjoyed the athleticism of fencing. This fast
moving sport provided a great athletic and mental strategic workout for him. Additionally, he encountered a great teacher and coach in Mark Holbrow. As a parent, I couldn't ask for a better role model of hard work and dedication to sport than Mark. He is a true teacher!

"This is my testimonial to the competence, professionalism, and dedication of Maestro Mark Holbrow and his various colleagues and assistants that dedicated their lives to the great noble sport of fencing.

My son, Marco, started fencing as freshman at Voorhees H.S. and, since he was interested and wanted to learn well and win, he joined BCAF. He started as a foilist, but preferred epee and, in the tradition of the classic school of fencing, took lessons in both weapons with Maestro Holbrow and initially competed in both weapons. As he improved and started to be successful in high school competitions, he started U.S.F.A. national competitions and eventually became the New Jersey H.S. Champion and was ranked fifth Under-17 in the USA in epee.

My daughter, Matilde, being two years younger, had some time to watch her brother fence, but she quickly decided that she would like to try. She as well took lessons and competed in both weapons. She as well won the NJ Championship and ended up to be fifth Under-20 in the USA for epee.

They both attended Princeton University and fenced for the University varsity team. Marco was captain in his senior year, won for four years the First Team Ivy League title and Matilde won two Ivy League Team Championship rings, one year fencing foil and the other fencing epee, according to the team needs.

Both were exposed to several international competitions and Matilde participated in some World Cups in Europe. They were invited to train in the summer training camp of the Under-20 Italian national team with some of the most famous coaches in the world. This experience was very important and confirmed for me unmistakably the excellent technical level of BCAF instructors. Mr. Marzari, at the time coach of the Italian national epee team, drove home for me the point when, at one Montreal World Cup told me:
'Marco has excellent fundamentals and it is clear that his coach must be as good as those of the best Italian academies'.

However, the most important part of BCAF experience was perhaps the sportsmanship lessons that they learned every day. Both children eventually received multiple important "Sportsmanship Awards" that were awarded by peers and coaches alike at both the high school and college levels. I am sure that these skills will help them through life.

Fencing has been great for our family, has given us unforgettable moments to share, special times, training in fighting frustration and controlling excitement, and a lot of fun. I recommend to many of our friends, and recommend to any parent, to bring their children to fence with Mark at BCAF.

In fact, I believe it will be a great experience and the children will learn a set of very useful skills that will help them through life.

“When Christopher was younger we tried out for the sports available to us as homeschoolers. He was not built for gymnastics, he was not competitive enough for soccer, and we were feeling lost as to what to do next. He won fencing lessons at a service auction and that started him off on a great sport that has taught him a lot. Not only has he developed physically; he has also blossomed mentally and socially. The Bucks County Fencing Academy fits in so well with home schooling. Fencing is a sport for all ages, it teaches you to think on your feet, but it also filled with respect and proper etiquette. Chris has stayed with his lessons for many years now and he is hoping to start a fencing club when he goes off to college in the fall. I commend the Bucks County teachers for their interest and professionalism but also their care. We highly recommend them for homeschoolers!” C. Barranco April 2001

“Last night my daughter, Kristin, attended your fencing class through the Warrington Rec. Association. It was just wonderful! She really enjoyed it. The professionalism and friendliness of your staff is obviously one of the strengths of your program. We felt welcomed immediately. We accidentally went upstairs and walked in on a class Mark Holbrow was teaching. He took the time to stop and introduce himself and asked our names. He politely directed us to where we needed to be.

The folder sent home with the extensive information about your program is interesting and very helpful. Thank you.

I have the opportunity to speak to Dirk for a brief time last night. He told me Kristin had wonderful form for a beginner and asked me if she did anything to help it along. I said I couldn't think of anything. I shared this with Kristin in the car ride home and she told me it was the several years of Karate she had, a lot of the Kattas are similar to the fencing positions. She found them natural.

Thanks again for offering such a wonderful program! Wish we found you sooner!”

{Parents & Fencers - if you would like to submit a testimonial of your own, please email Lisa at lisa@bcaf.com.}