Over 400 primary school pupils in Cardiff and Neath have written newspaper articles on the fast and fierce sport of para fencing as the European Championships in the Welsh capital enter full swing.
As part of a project co-ordinated by British Fencing, Disability Sport Wales and schools programme Literacy Kicks, pupils in South Wales researched the sport and star fencer Gemma Collis before compiling their own written reports.
The 2026 Para Fencing European Championships are taking place at the Sport Wales National Centre between October 6th and 11th, the first time the event has been staged in the city.
World Abilitysport awarded the hosting of the event to British Fencing, in partnership with UK Sport, supported by funding from The National Lottery and the Welsh Government.
Around 15 nations from across Europe are competing, hoping to secure gold, silver and bronze medals for their countries.
Paul Cummins, Participation Director at British Fencing, talked about the partnerships that made the event happen: “It's incredible to be in Cardiff, supported by UK Sport through The National Lottery and Welsh Government, working with Disability Sport Wales, and our other fantastic partners and volunteers, and we're intentional about making a real impact and leaving a lasting legacy.
“This has included workshops at local schools around this major event, including some on the GBR athletes, who have been inspiring the next generation with the incredible journeys they’ve been on.
“Those key lessons can then be used by those schools and those young people back in their everyday lives.
“We think we've got 10 schools that are coming at various stages of the week, which is amazing. It includes mainstream schools and SEND schools, and seeing some of their faces as they came into the arena was a real game-changer for me.
“Just seeing the experience of the venue, getting to meet some of the athletes and seeing some of the various roles that we have here at the events, like referees and volunteers, is a fantastic experience. “
Nia Jones, Project Manager at Disability Sport Wales, added: “This initiative has been really important.
“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to come and watch elite para sport, so for them to have that is absolutely brilliant.
“We’ve had so much feedback from teachers about how the young people have discovered a part of themselves they didn't know was there – lots of them have flourished and have been a lot more engaged with the sessions than the teachers maybe thought they would be.
“It's been a real positive opportunity for them – and then to come and see the elite sport on top of it just gives that different dimension and really rounds out their learning from that session.”
Rhiannon Parker, Year 5 teacher, Llysfaen Primary School, said: “The session on sports journalism and Para Fencing was engaging, inspiring, and gave the children a valuable insight into both careers in sport and the importance of inclusion.
“The activities sparked good discussions and enthusiasm. Thank you to Literacy Kicks, British Fencing and Disability Sport Wales for providing such an enriching opportunity.”
Martin Heritage, Year 6 teacher at St Fagans Church in Wales Primary School said: “Our children thoroughly enjoyed learning about para sport and were fascinated by the upcoming Para Fencing European Championships.
“The presentation helped raise awareness of para sport and inspired many pupils to find out more, with several expressing an interest in attending the event themselves.
“The children produced some excellent pieces of writing and were highly engaged throughout. They clearly gained a great deal from the experience and thoroughly enjoyed the task.
“Overall, it was a fantastic morning that provided lasting learning opportunities for our pupils.”
Gareth Walker, former national newspaper sports journalist and founder of Literacy Kicks, added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to take this project into Welsh classrooms and work with British Fencing and Disability Sport Wales.
“The children at every single school we worked with loved learning about the history of Para Fencing, Gemma Collis’ remarkable journey in the sport and October’s European Championships.
“Many of them were keen to attend the event themselves and it would be great to read some more reports from talented young writers on what promises to be a brilliant six days in Cardiff in October.”
British Fencing's Charitable Fund actively supports the development of fencing and aims to diversify participation by providing financial and other support to encourage and nurture the talent of the future. Find out more and support this here
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