Fencing in Northwest Arkansas began in 1979 through the work of Scott Sutton, founder of the Arkansas Fencing Academy and Fayetteville Fencing Club (our competitive name). The classes were held in Scott's apartment until 1982 when the group began renting a room in the old University of Arkansas Bowling Building. After 16 years of growth, the club outgrew the two-strip room and a larger salle was sought.
So in 1998, Neal Picken picked up the gauntlet and started the Arkansas Fencing Academy in Springdale. The Fayetteville Fencing Club moved into the new academy, which included 6 strips, a full armory, changing areas, and showers. The concept behind this new academy was having several area fencing clubs, formed through the local schools, utilizing its facilities.
Currently, the only United States Fencing Association member club is the Fayetteville Fencing Club. Each year, two special events are held: the Bastille Day celebration and the Fete de Fleuret tournament. Other club and regional tournaments are held at various times, and members are encouraged to attend out-of-town tournaments whenever possible.
So in 1998, Neal Picken picked up the gauntlet and started the Arkansas Fencing Academy in Springdale. The Fayetteville Fencing Club moved into the new academy, which included 6 strips, a full armory, changing areas, and showers. The concept behind this new academy was having several area fencing clubs, formed through the local schools, utilizing its facilities.
Currently, the only United States Fencing Association member club is the Fayetteville Fencing Club. Each year, two special events are held: the Bastille Day celebration and the Fete de Fleuret tournament. Other club and regional tournaments are held at various times, and members are encouraged to attend out-of-town tournaments whenever possible.
Services
USFA membership is required to participate in any USFA sanctioned, or "rated" tournaments.
There are also unsanctioned tournaments, but one cannot obtain a rating at these tournaments.
This means that a membership obtained in March of a given year will only last until the end of July of that year.
There are multiple types of membership options.
These range from non-competitive to competitive.
The non-competitive membership is only required for Premium Fencing Clubs and does not allow access to any tournaments.
There are also unsanctioned tournaments, but one cannot obtain a rating at these tournaments.
This means that a membership obtained in March of a given year will only last until the end of July of that year.
There are multiple types of membership options.
These range from non-competitive to competitive.
The non-competitive membership is only required for Premium Fencing Clubs and does not allow access to any tournaments.
Fencing is an unusual sport.
Its popularity does not compare to that of football or basketball.
This is why when people hear about us, they are curious.
How have we kept up fencing in NWA for so long?
How did a modern Olympian pentathlete start out at our club?
This is a news story that NWA Alive produced in 2018.
OnlyInArk visited both our club and the Central Arkansas Fencing Academy (unaffiliated to us) in 2017 to explore the history of fencing in Arkansas.
Its popularity does not compare to that of football or basketball.
This is why when people hear about us, they are curious.
How have we kept up fencing in NWA for so long?
How did a modern Olympian pentathlete start out at our club?
This is a news story that NWA Alive produced in 2018.
OnlyInArk visited both our club and the Central Arkansas Fencing Academy (unaffiliated to us) in 2017 to explore the history of fencing in Arkansas.
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