Staff and Coaching
Andrew Hu – Competitive Epee Coach
Andrew was a member of the Beijing Professional Fencing Team from 1989-1994, when he moved up to the China National fencing team where he was a member until 1997. During this time, Andrew won a number of medals at World Class tournaments and competed at the World Championships. After his competitive fencing, Andrew started to train as a coach. Andrew was the Assistant Coach for the China National Team from 2002 to 2004, and then the Head Coach for the Beijing Men’s Fencing Team specializing in Epee. Andrew’s students won a number of Medals under his tutelage, including a Silver Medal in Men’s Epee individual competition at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Andrew has also completed a degree in Physical Training and Management from The Beijing Physical Culture and Sports Technique College. Andrew immigrated to Canada in December of 2004 and coaches the competitive Epee fencers at the Canadian Fencing Academy.
Alice Lu – Competitive Foil Coach
Alice was a professional fencer for over 15 years in China. She was on the China National Team for 3 years, and has represented China at the World Championships and numerous World Cups. As a China National Team member, Alice won a bronze medal at the World Championships. Alice has won the Silver Medal in individual Foil at the China National Championships in 1984, and won the Gold Medal in the China National Championships (Level A) in 1985. Alice was also the Assistant Coach on the China Provincial Team before she moving to Canada. Alice has since coached at both the Ryerson Fencing Club and the Ryerson University Varsity team. She has her Level 1 NCCP certifications. Alice coaches the competitive foil fencers, and also coaches youth members looking to make the transition from Intermediate to Competitive members.
Stephen Willson – Youth Coach
Stephen has been fencing since the late 1980’s with participation at many different levels of competition. He was a member (and captain) of the Brock University varsity team and assistant coach there for the 1992-1993 and 1995-1996 seasons. He has been coaching fencing for the Ontario Modern Pentathlon Association since 2000 and is also a successful competitor in that sport with multiple top 3 finishes at the national and provincial levels. Stephen has his NCCP level I coaching certifications specific to fencing. He has experience coaching all levels and age groups.
Brily Lepine – Youth Coach
Brily has been fencing for over 12 years, and has trained in a variety of fencing styles and weapons. He has trained under several international level coaches and marries many of their views into his own unique style. He has received NCCP training and competed at Provincial level tournaments. Believing that a thinking fencer will always win out he stresses the importance of not only the athletics of Fencing, but the mental agility required as well. Blending his love of fencing with dedication and humour Brily coaches all Beginner programs, many Intermediate, and is involved with the running of the Advanced level courses as well.
Ryan Gelok – Youth Coach
Ryan has been involved with fencing since the late 1990s, starting in historical rapier fencing before moving on to epee and foil. He trained with the Queen’s University epee team and has been training in foil with the Canadian Fencing Academy since 2008. Ryan has been assisting with foil classes at the CFA since early 2009, and began coaching a class of his own in April of 2010. Ryan’s coaching philosophy is that a successful fencer must have a strong foundation in the basics and a flexible mind.
Kyle Foster- Director of Operations
Kyle has been fencing for the last 20+ years and competing at the varsity, provincial, and national levels. He was Captain of the Western Varsity Team and won the OUAA Individual Gold medal in 1994 and won the Team Gold Medal in 1993 and 1994. Kyle went on to Coach the UWO Varsity team from 1994-1996. Kyle won the Governor General′s Championship in 1994.
Kyle has also won numerous medals at the Ontario Provincial Championships, most recently leading a CFA team to the back to back team Gold medals in 2004 and 2005 and winning the individual Silver medal in 2005. Kyle has experience coaching fencing and will be filling in for some of our coaches as required and running the occasional program.
Kyle will be managing the fencing and coaching programs at the Canadian Fencing Academy and will oversee all CFA operations.
