Sabers and sisterhood: How I help to create a supportive space for female fencers 

March 21, 2025

By Alexandra Lourenço
Editor-In-Chief

This article is part of a six-part in-depth reporting project about women’s issues.

The first time I stepped onto the strip at Durkan Fencing Academy’s former location in Garfield to learn saber, one of the three fencing weapons, I felt completely out of my element. At 13, I was used to the teamwork of soccer and the discipline of taekwondo, but fencing was something else entirely—an individual sport that required precision, strategy and an almost obsessive attention to detail.

I began fencing after a Girl Scout trip to Durkan Fencing Academy. While we were practicing basic skills and learning about the sport, the coach, Patrick Durkan, came up to my mom and told her I had a lot of potential. After that, my mom signed me up for a group beginner class. At my club, we call it Tier 1. I had a lot of fun in that class and made great friends. As time went on, I moved up to Tier 2 and eventually Tier 3, I continued to make great friendships.

I relied on the older athletes at my club to guide me, to show me how to navigate not just the techniques of saber but the mental challenges that came with it. 

At my club, we have a free girls’ class that meets every Saturday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. When I started fencing, Sophia Kovacs, who is currently fencing for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Alana Schmitt, a graduate and a former captain of the Stevens Institute of Technology’s fencing team in Hoboken, led the class.

With Kovacs away at UNC and Schmitt working full-time, I have taken on their role. Since March 2024, I have led the same girls’ class I once attended, helping 8-15 younger saber fencers build their ability and confidence.

Girls’ class is meant to empower young girls in a sport that is male-dominated, in addition to fostering a supportive environment.

Because fencing is an individual sport, there can be a lot of hostility between competitors. Fortunately, my club no longer has this issue. Girls’ class has allowed us to bond with one another and find ways to help each other. 

I want to serve as an older sister for them so they feel comfortable asking me for advice and can trust me. 

Fencing differs vastly between the two genders. In male saber, the tempo is very fast and is primarily focused on strength. Women’s saber fencing is also fast, but it is also extremely technical. Therefore, in the class, I focus on the skills and strategies that are often overlooked in co-ed group classes but are especially useful in women’s tournaments. 

Every week, we eat lunch together, and then I lead a lesson with the saber girls. One week we meet and sit in the lobby to eat lunch and catch up on our weeks, and then I begin a lecture. The topics vary from mentality, techniques to stay calm and tips to prepare for tournaments.

The next week, we put on all of our fencing gear and do drills. If there is a tournament coming up, I set up a pool grid and all of the girls fence each other to five points and track their record, or I lead a drill where the girls work in pairs. One girl coaches while the other fences. We keep track of the records and see which pair does the best. During weeks when we do not have any competitions, we work on footwork.

Additionally, I analyze YouTube videos of experienced athletes, myself and the girls in class. We discuss points of improvement and learn from the mistakes we notice. 

I focus a lot on developing a strong relationship with the fencers in my class. To do this I make sure that I spend time with all of them outside of our weekly classes. 

I cheer them on during practice and start conversations with them during our breaks. I check on them when they seem upset, and I try to practice with all of them. I want to be able to teach them healthy habits and how to retain confidence.

I want to serve as an older sister for them so they feel comfortable asking me for advice and can trust me. 

As a member of the class, I was able to find an older sister in Schmitt and Kovacs. Now as a leader, I have been able to become a role model and someone my younger teammates can rely on. In this position, I hope to embody the role of a self-assured, encouraging, insightful and kind person who can guide my teammates. 

It is an honor to share my experiences with the girls in my saber class, aid them in accomplishing their goals and motivate them to reach their full potential.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to be a leader, as it has strengthened my communication skills and taught me how much I enjoy mentoring others.