Auckland University Fencing

The Executive

Josephine Ogle (President)

Josephine started fencing aged 11, after one too many viewings of The Princess Bride. She terrorised the guys at SJL for about five years, picking up a very good grasp of basic technique and a better grasp of the versatility of the English language.

A hiatus of ten years followed until, in 2005, she was seduced back to the sport by promises of weight loss and witty repartee. She has since completed her Psychology degree, but has continued to play a role in the club, often as the unofficial beginners’ coach, and now also as president.

Executive roles: President 2008 – present

Christian Linke (Vice President)

Christian started fencing at the tender age of 9 or 10, he doesn’t remember the details any more. He also doesn’t remember why he took up fencing (well, he doesn’t remember why he came to New Zealand, either), but it seems to involve typical boy stories such as Arthur, Lancelot and the three musketeers (something on these lines anyway). Most of his life, he trained fencing in such obscure countries like Germany and France and since 2007 with AUF at the only university of New Zealand.

These days, he spends most of his time as a PhD student working on the arcane science of protein X-ray crystallography, involving pathogenic bacteria. In his spare time, he tries to keep up his fencing at AUF and contributes greatly as a wannabe-coach. Sometimes, there were moments of glory, for instance when he won the NZ National Champs (epee) in 2007, 2008 and was third in 2009, or when he won a few medals at NZ UniGames. At AUF, he has held the post of vice president since 2007. In this role, he has the pleasure of representing AUF at Fencing North meetings. Also, he seems to be “sport minister”, taking care of coaching and tournaments etc. That’s what the AUF guidelines say, anyway.

Executive roles: Vice President 2007 – present

Sylvie Thrush Marsh (Secretary)

Sylvie is the new girl on the block in more ways than one – this is her first term on the AUF executive and she has been fencing since the middle of 2009. She has much to learn, and thinks fencing is something that should be included on her list.

As the token LLB/BA student majoring in Sociology and Film, TV and Media Studies, Sylvie is quite far along in her journey to become the club’s next token overachieving blonde.

Executive roles: Secretary 2009 – present

Stefan Hermans (Grants Officer)

Stefan started fencing at Auckland Swords Club the same year he started university, a date which he is not inclined to divulge. Let’s call it a good while ago. A year later he joined AUF and has been making the most of it ever since. Fencing always appealed to him and having played a sport for as long as he could remember, cricket, soccer, a little rugby, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Many years and one fencing scar later; he was roped into becoming the AUF grants officer and is finally entering competitions.

Apart from fencing Stefan is a PhD student up at the medical school working on a crazy mix of infection, immunity, and biochemistry. If you’re not careful he will try and contaminate your sandwiches.

Executive roles: Grants Officer 2009 – present

Benjamin Lee (Treasurer)

Born helpless, nude and unable to provide for himself, Benjamin Lee eventually overcame these handicaps to become the Treasurer and Friendly Arms-Dealer© of AUF.

Since serving his time as Moneyman &c., Benjamin has succeded in completing his BA/BE conjoint and has graduated with purple and pink furry regalia.

Executive roles: Treasurer 2006 – 2009

Nancy Liu

Nancy started fencing at the end of her 1st year of university. After three years of moderate fencing, she decided to take over the world, one fencing club at a time. Currently a graduate student at the University of Auckland studying the exciting physiology of the lens, she has devoted her spare time to persuading people to donate their lenses to her. She is referred by many as ?la muchacha diab?lica?, hence the reason for taking over the world.

Executive roles: Vice-president 2005-2006, President 2006-2007

Chris Hay

Chris started fencing in a previous incarnation of the Auckland University Fencing club (then called Auckland University Swords) in 2000. Chris then moved across to Auckland Swords Club based out of Auckland Grammer where he learnt most of his tricks from Edmund Wong. Once Angus McMorland re-started Auckland University Fencing and Edmund moved away from fencing, Chris gradually slided across to A.U.F. Chris is also a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fencing in Otahuhu.

Chris currently works for ASB as an analyst in the Credit Information department. Chris finished a Master of Science in Mathematics at the University of Auckland in February 2006, having earlier completed a BSc in Maths and Stats at the same university.

Executive roles: Vice-president 2004-2005, 2006-2007

Executive roles: President 2004-2006

Angus McMorland

Angus has been a fencer for more than half his life, starting in F1 at St Kents College. He has been a member of Auckland Swords Club (ASC) since ’95 and joined Auckland University Swords Club (AUSC) in his first year at uni in ’97, at which time it was being run successfully by David Welch. David introduced Angus to the joys and manliness of fencing epee, and Angus has never looked back (to foil) since.

After David left, AUSC took a turn for the worse, and membership and activities declined. In 2001 Angus, along with James Russell and Jonny Chadwick, took over running of the club, and over the next three years restored it to its former, and rightful, glory. At the end of 2004, Angus decided it was time to pass on the reins, and associated reign, of president in order to have more time to concentrate on fencing and social life… oh, and finishing his PhD too.

Angus has been competing seriously at senior NZ and Australian national level since 2001, under the expert coaching of Edmund Wong. His best results to date are 4th= at North Island Champs and 16th at Australian National Champs, both in 2004.

Executive roles: President 2001-2004, Armourer 2005-2006

Jonathan Chadwick

Jonathan picked up his first sword back in 1996 when his fencing career got of to a humble beginning at West Auckland Swords. He now trains primary at Auckland Swords Club but is also a member of the NZ Academy of Fencing and of course Auckland University Swords Club. Jonathan is a foilist exclusively and coached by Edmund Wong he hopes to achieve success in the coming year at the NZ National U20′s and Open tournaments. He also has plans to compete in Australia at the end of the year.

Executive roles: Secretary 2001-2004

James Russell

James has been fencing for some time over a decade now (apparently he stopped counting after ten years). Originally a “brat-boy” from Salle Jean-Louis on the North Shore, James now trains at most Auckland clubs. While Under-20 he represented New Zealand in foil and sabre in Australia. After a brief hiatus (two years kick-boxing with some secret cult), he returned under the auspice of coach Edmond Wong to begin competitive training in preparation for travelling overseas.

James’ results in 2002 have included a bronze medal in the National University Men’s Foil, and a gold medal in the National University Mixed Sabre. James is currently on the National University Men’s Foil team, and is planning to fence in Australia later in the year.

Executive roles: Treasurer 2001-2004