The Sydney International Fencing Camp returns in 2026 for its exciting fourth edition.
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Designed for Foil and Epee fencers as well as Coaching Professional Development, running from January 3-11, will be led by Maestro Enrico Di Ciolo (Italian Olympic Coach) and attract fencers from across the Oceanic Zone.
Serving as the perfect launchpad for the season ahead, fencers will be challenged to improve their fitness and refine their technical skills so they can return to their usual training armed with new ideas and renewed passion.
WORLD FAMOUS HEAD COACH
EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL MENTORS
HIGHLY STRUCTURED CONTENT
THE BEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAMPIONS, EMERGING FENCERS AND COACHES
Our Coaching Director is one of the world’s most respected and successful fencing Masters. Enrico is President of Pisa Fencing Club Antonio Di Ciolo, one of Italy’s most successful clubs across all weapons. He is a Knight of the Italian Republic for sporting merit.
Enrico is a major force in Italy’s fencing discipline, and has been a backbone of the national program. He has an outstanding record of participation in the Majors, as a coach;
- 9 World Championships (as physical trainer)
- 16 World Championships (as fencing master)
- 8 Olympic Games (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2021, 2024)
- Enrico’s students have also achieved extraordinary results, he has mentored many to great achievements, including 5 Junior World Champions, and 3 Senior World Champions.
Enrico is highly educated and qualified;
- Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education
- Master Fencing Instructor Diploma – Highest qualification awarded by the Federazione Italiana Scherma
- Level IV Diploma – C.O.N.I – Highest qualification awarded bvy the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (Italian National Olympic Committee).
- Has over 35 years of experience teaching as a fencing master and physical trainer including collaboration with national teams;
- Italian National Team (1994-2024)
- U20 and Senior National Teams
- Finnish National Team (2025)
Having also participated in the Melbourne UFC Summer Camps 2012 – 2018, as well as the Sydney International Fencing Camp in 2023, 2024, 2025, and now for 2026.
Virginia returns for her 4th Sydney International Fencing Camp as one of our coaching directors.
She started with foil at 9 years of age, then at 12 changed to epee. Before becoming a professional Maestra, Virginia was a talented and successful athlete:
Her career highlights include:
- 2nd place at 13 years, in the Italian championship and 1st place at 14 years.
- 2nd place Italian National Championship senior
- European champion under-20 team
- 2nd place World Championship team under 20
- participated in many World Cups under 20 & senior with the national team.
Virginia commenced teaching while still an athlete, under the wing and guidance of Maestro Antonio Di Ciolo, who continues to work with her to develop her outstanding capabilities.
At 34, Virginia retired from her illustrious athletic career to concentrate on her coaching development and began teaching only.
Of her coaching career, Virginia says ” it’s not my job..it’s my passion”
Virginia will work with the fencers, the Professional Development program and is available for privates, see the Individual Lesson Bookings tab for more information.
Ted has been coaching at Sydney University Fencing Club since 2014. He is the founder of the long-running and highly successful Juniors program at the club and works with athletes of all ages, from beginner to elite level.
Ted has coached Australian National Champions in all age categories and has worked with many international athletes throughout his career.
Ted started working with Enrico in 2018 and has been a disciple of the Di Ciolo school ever since.
Relevant experience:
- Coached Australian National Champions in all age categories from U15 through to Senior and Veterans.
- Attended UFC Summer camps in 2018 and 2020, as well as all previous Sydney International Fencing Camps.
- Current Australian National Assistant Coach for epee.
- Coach of Australian epee teams at the 2024 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships as well as the 2024 Hong Kong Junior World Cup events.
- Coach of NSW National Squad sessions.
- Over a decade of coaching experience at multiple clubs in Sydney, including Sydney University, UTS and Sydney Beyond Fencing.
Refereeing Qualifications:
• National Referee accredited by the Italian Fencing Federation.
• Specialisation in Foil and Épée.
Development progression to National referee:
• Referee training at the Di Ciolo Fencing School (Pisa), renowned nationally and internationally for its Olympic tradition and teaching excellence.
• Developed technical and refereeing skills under the guidance of internationally recognised masters and referees, including Simona Pierucci.
• Continuous professional development through FIS national referee seminars and rule update programs.
Refereeing Experience:
Officiated at Italian National Competitions in foil and épée in youth, senior, and masters categories).
Experience in high-level technical and organisational events, with a strong focus on bout management and regulatory precision.
Coaching and Collaboration:
Junior Coach at “Club Scherma Pisa A. Di Ciolo” and “Circolo Scherma La Spezia”.
Supported the technical and educational growth of young and adult fencers through integrated training activities.
Fencing Achievements as Athlete:
Competitive background in foil and épée with participation in regional and national tournaments and championships.
SIFC Experience
Giovanni was appointed as the Foil Mentor to the Inaugural SIFC where his significant contribution was recognised.
Diletta Gramigni – Epee
Student of Maestro Enrico Di Ciolo
- Level III Coach in the Italian fencing instructors’ training system
- Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology with a neuroscience thesis on arm and hand movement
- Maestra at Club Scherma Pisa Antonio Di Ciolo
- Qualification at the Junior National Event – 2017
- Qualification at the Senior National Event – 2017
- Top 8 at the Regional Event – 2018
- Junior Regional Champion – 2018
- Top 64 at a Senior National Event – 2018
- Top 8 at the Regional Event – 2018
- 3rd place at the National Team Event (Serie C)
Student of Maestro Enrico Di Ciolo, and member of the Finnish National Team.
I am a 23-year-old épée fencer from Finland. I began fencing at the age of five. My biggest inspiration for choosing fencing came from old Robin Hood movies that I used to watch over andover again together with my late grandmother.
- 2025 — 43./213., Tbilisi World Championship
- 2025 — 59./357., Saint-Maur WC
- 2025 — 1st place, Finnish Championships
- 2025 — 64./302., Marrakech WC
- 2023 — 22./96., European Games Krakow
- 2023 — 27./342., Budapest GP
- 2019 — 8th place, U20 European Championship
- 2019 — 3rd place, U17 World Championship
- 2019 — 1st place, Cadet Circuit Espoo
- Four-time Finnish individual champion in Cadets/Juniors
- Three-time Nordic and Baltic champion in Cadets
The very popular Tomasso returns as an Athlete Mentor for his third Sydney International Fencing Camp.
At 26, He is the Team Captain for the Club Antonio Di Ciolo, Pisa, leading the club in the prestigious Serie A, ranked 5th overall.
Tommaso was an extremely successful Fencing athlete, representing Italy and competing at a high level from 2016 to 2022. He was an athlete in the Italian National fencing teams for U17, U20, U23 and Senior.
Tommaso has a special passion for wheelchair fencing and was part of the Italian Paralympic fencing team in preparation for Tokyo 2020. And continues to work in the Italian Wheelchair program as a foil coach and physical trainer. Recently, Tommaso took part in the World Parafencing Championship in Iksan, Korea.
Working with Enrico Di Ciolo, our camp Coaching Director, as a talented developing coach, Tommaso is highly qualified, with a Master’s Degree in Sport Science at Pisa University. He is a qualified personal trainer with advanced sport-specific, Paralympic, and weightlifting specialist qualifications.
- Italian Championship U23 3rd place
- Italian Championship U20 2nd place
- Italian Teams Championship U20 2nd place
- Italian Championship U17 3rd place
- Italian Cup Senior 1st place
- 5º place in team Serie A, 3 times in a row
- Italian Teams Cup Senior 1st place
- Italian Teams Cup Senior 2nd place
- World & European U17 Championship partecipation
- European Circuit U23 2nd place
- Teams World Cup U20 1st place
- World Cup U20 8th place
- Satellite World Cup 10th place
- Mediterranean Games U17 1st place
- Mediterranean Games U20 3rd place
- Mediterranean Teams Games 1st place
- Camp between 3-11 January 2026
- Professional Development
- The camp is a Day Camp (see “Schedule” tab)
- The coaching content is under the direction of Maestro Enrico Di Ciolo, coach to the Italian Olympic Epee Team (see “Meet the Coaches” tab)
- Nearby University college accommodation is available at SANCTA colleges, both within easy walking distance of the venue (see “accommodation” tab)
- The Camp is designed for fencers of all capabilities. Fencers aged 12 and over (under 15, must be experienced, and agreed with their coach please).
- Parents/carers are welcome to remain during the day but not essential.
- For a full explainer, download the “SIFC Explainer Document” (LINK to pdf)
- The Camp is also a Professional Development Program for coaches who will work with the fencers (see “Professional Development” tab)
- Full explainer “SIFC Explainer Document”, will be sent on registration.
Camp Director:
For additional information contact Bill Ronald OAM, OLY at: [email protected]
Click here to book https://sydneyfencingcamp.simplybook.net/v2/
For additional information contact Bill Ronald OAM, OLY at: [email protected]
The schedules accessible via the links below are a tentative program for the Camp and the Professional Development Program.
It is subject to possible amendment and review as registration numbers firm.
SIFC26 Professional Development
The 2026 Professional Development program will offer over 50 hours of coaching development.
Content includes lectures and practical skill development and transfer under the Direction of Maestro Enrico and Maestra Virginia.
Coaches will work with the camp fencers in group sessions and workshops where they will deliver their new skills with a variety of fencers with widely varying age and experience.
For enquiries, or details of the SIFC26 Professional Development program contact:
Bill Ronald (Program Director SIFC26)
Pathway to a Level 1 coaching qualification in NSW.
NSW Fencing, authorised by the AFF, is pleased to again endorse the Sydney International Fencing Camp 2026 coach development stream, as the NSW Level 1 coaching course.
This high-quality event, with a holistic approach to coaching and to coach development, represents an excellent opportunity for coaches, and aspiring coaches, to pursue a Level 1 qualification in time to undertake their coaching activities in the new year.
Candidates for the qualification will undertake the coach development stream of the camp, under the direction of Maestro Enrico Di Ciolo (Italian Olympic Coach) and Maestra Virginia Di Franco, then be assessed for competence at the end of the camp by designated assessors.
In order to be eligible to pursue the Level 1 qualification, candidates must register for, and attend, the coach development stream of the camp, and also register with NSW Fencing for assessment.
NSW Fencing values the collaboration with SIFC and AFF which has made this opportunity available to support and strengthen coach development in NSW.
The camp represents an excellent opportunity for referees and aspiring referees to undertake professional development in time for the new year under the expertise of Giovanni Leccese.
Fencers and coaches will receive lectures, demonstrations and practical and theoretical instruction. There will be observation and feedback and the opportunity for an objective competency assessment at the conclusion of the camp
NSW Fencing values the collaboration with SIFC, which has made this opportunity available to support and strengthen referee development in NSW. The content is available to all attending the SIFC26..
To engage in the referee development opportunity, you will need to:
If you select to be assessed and demonstrate competence at the end of the Camp, you will be given a certificate of competence.
Please click this link to view more detailed information about the camp.
Where? New Balance Stadium (formerly Brydens Stadium), Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre
Located on The University of Sydney’s main Campus, the Centre is easily accessible by car, taxi, or railway and conveniently situated near Sydney Airport, Youth Hostels and Restaurants.
Sancta Sophia College
Sancta Sophia College: SIFC Accommodation Partner
Sancta Sophia College is an accommodation option for participants and coaches of the Sydney International Fencing Camp. The College is located at 8 Missenden Road, Camperdown, and is popular amongst guests to The University of Sydney due to its proximity to University grounds, and excellent accessibility via public transport from the CBD and other nearby hubs (such as Central, Redfern and Newtown). We are pleased to offer a special rate to participants of the SIFC 2026.
Accommodation options:
- $100 per night – Single Ensuite Rooms (King single bed; sleeps 1) within the College’s modern Graduate House.
Inclusions:
- Direct access to the University of Sydney
- Free Wi-Fi
- Linen, towels, and regular room servicing by Sancta’s Housekeeping team
- Shared kitchen facilities, and Rooftop Terrace with city views
Please note that parking is not available and meals are not included.
For more information and to make a booking request, please click here.
