8 THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 2015 EDITOR OWEN MUNRO SS poris By RUMANA DSOUZA Ihe Killarney Community Centre will soon be transformed from classroom to battlefield for swashbuckling kids who want to learn the centuries-old sport of fencing. The community centre is offering be- ginner and intermediatetraining cours- es, structured for kids ages eight to 15. The program, run by the Tri-City Fenc- ing Academy, begins Nov. 16. According to Brad Kelly, founder of the Tri-City Fencing Academy, fencing is becoming more popular among chil- dren who have a competitive spirit and are not interested in team sports. “Fencing is one of the original Olym- pic sports, and it has a strong psycho- logical aspect to it, much like any mar- tial art,” Kelly said. “You’re measuring yourself; not against a clock, but against another person.” Fencing has its origins from duel- ling, in the days when military cavalry fought on horseback. After the inven- tion of firearms made it obsolete, fenc- ing developed into a sport over the years. Kelly said swordplay is naturally appealing to children. “Sometimes, moms come to me and say, ‘I’m not sure if my 12-year-old son will like this sport,’ and I say, “Well, ’'m going to give him a stick and tell him to hit other kids. Of course, he’s going to like it,” Kelly said. Harry McCullough, 11, learns fenc- ing at the LaSalle Fencing Club & Stu- RUMANA DSOUZA photo Two fencers practise at the Killarney Community Centre, where Tri-City Fencing Academy will hold a program for ages eight to 15. Fencing on guard in Killarney Classes take aim at bringing fresh faces to a historic tradition dio. “I like playing with a sword and hitting people,” he said. “I like getting tired. I want to be a great fencer.” The Tri-City Fencing Academy ad- vertises their courses in program guides. Kelly said parents enrol their kids in the program because fencing of- fers many health benefits. Dr. Cameron Leong, a naturopathic doctor and director of Jericho Integrat- ed Clinic, specializes in sports medi- cine and is a fencer himself. “Fencing requires a lot of physical endurance. It involves a lot more move- ment and flexibility than people think,” he said. “Fencing is considered a mar- tial art, so there’s a discipline to it. Im- proved flexibility and hand-eye coordi- nation come with training.” 66 I’m going to give him a stick and tell him to hit other kids. Of course, he’s going to like it BRAD KELLY TRI-CITY FENCING ACADEMY Three Falcon women earn all-star nods Kappeli, Graeme and Tasaka selected as PAC- WEST all-stars By NANCY PLECHATY the season, three Langara College women’s soccer players took home some hardware. The Langara women’s soccer team finished in fifth place in the PACWEST league, but proud to produce three all- stars at the end of their 2015 season. The all-star selections, Olivia Kappeli, Alyssa Graeme and Tessa Tasaka said it’s about the friendships they earned, not the awards. Only 11 women are selected as all- stars from the six participating teams in their division. “Three girls being recognized says a DD: a disappointing finish to lot about them indi- ALYSSA GRAEME vidually,” women’s Two-time PAC- WEST all-star head coach Ryan Birt said. “Because it’s awards that are voted on by the other coaches. You can’t vote for your own players.” Kappeli said she feels grateful to have had the opportunity to play at pro- vincials and nationals last year, but the most important thing for her was mak- ing best friends. “Tt feels nice to be recognized. I don’t show off about it and tell everyone,” said Kappeli, who won her third straight PACWEST all-star award. Alyssa Graeme, a second-time all- star winner, said she didn’t expect the nomination again. “T followed my best friends here. We went to Nationals last year. It’s been fun. We all just connect so well,” Graeme said. Tessa Tasaka, a second-year player, won her first all-star award. Last sea- son, she suffered an ankle injury near the beginning of the year and saw lim- ited minutes. She credited her nomina- tion to her friends and coaches. “Honestly, I just played for the team.” & Falcons’ Tally i) WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL W-D-L W-D-L 2-0-1 2-0-1 Ranked: Tied 2nd Ranked: Tied 3rd Marpole mini league hits it right on the button Six-week mini league in Marpole hopes to draw a new generation as older curlers move out of Vancouver By TESSA VIKANDER CURLING clubs 1 Marpole Curling Vancouver Curling Royal City Curling Club (New West- minster) group rentals. Tunnel Town Curling Club (Delta) a = @ N Cloverdale Curling Club couver] property, and move to the sub- urbs,” she said, “the suburban curling fill the Source: Google The Marpole Curling Club is sweep- ing up a new demographic with a six- week mini league for beginner curlers. The club introduced the mini league for beginner teams who aren’t ready to Club commit to the usual 24-week season. General manager Melinda Michalak said the initiative stems from a need to Club attract younger adults to the club in face of a decline in number of older members. The club has also increased its focus on beginners’ clinics and “A lot of our older curlers who are retired, and used to make up a large was portion of our membership have decid- ed to go with the trend, sell their [Van- tal” in clubs are busier.” Michalak said people who first attended beginner clinics or who partici- pated in a private group — rental formed some of the teams in the mini league. Deanna Brummitt, 34, first got involved at a beginner’s clinic. Michal- ak said she “in- strumen- helping mini league friends and quaintences join. strategic it i both this year and last because she rallied 30 of her ac- to Brummitt’s hooked on curling because of how kind like chess on ice. You’ve got to think a few moves ahead... Plus I like how it’s social. You get to come and drink beer after.” One of Brummitt’s recruits, Jenni Sheppard, age 34, said the club is friendly and welcoming. Sheppard said she likes the el- ement of suspense in curling. During her team’s last turn, she could knock the other teams’ rocks out of position on the ice sheet, causing an unexpected win. “You don’t know how [the game] is going to end until the very last rock,” she said. NANCY PLECHATY photo Members of the Royal City Curl- ing Club sweep the ice.