Charlotte Fencing Center - Coaches
Our Head Sabre Coach is Sean Bates. Sean has been fencing for more than 20 years and has competed in many events from local to international. Sean has been a member of both Junior and Senior World US Teams. He feels that fencing can lead to many opportunities whether it be through Olympics, college, or just networking. Fencers tend to help each other as a family of athletes. It is a great opportunity to learn and make lifelong friends.
- Champion Fencer: Junior and Senior US Team Member
- Tested Ability: Multiple Time Section Champion of more than one Section
Our Head Coach is David Burns. He has been fencing for 20 years and has competed in numerous events from local to national. He has also been a national level referee since 1995 reffing bouts in every event at every level.
- Champion Fencer: Multiple Time Section Champion
- Tested Ability: Division champion of three different divisions
- Leadership: Held both division and section officer positions
- Diverse Talent: Has won tournaments in each of the three events(foil, epee and sabre) and has refereed in all events and levels from local to national
David believes fencing should be fun for everyone. If a fencers enjoys fencing and wants to fence strictly for the enjoyment or wants to move their fencing to be competitive and have quality results at national events we has programs developed to help all fencers enjoy their fencing at every level.
The Charlotte Fencing Center’s biggest strength is helping younger fencers learn the skills needed to be competitive at national events and be attractive to NCAA fencing programs. The Charlotte Fencing Center has had success working with fencers at every level from new fencers to high level national fences. The Charlotte Fencing Center has had students earn national points, medals and earn places on NCAA fencing teams. Our overall coaching philosophy is working with the students and not trying to physically or verbally dominate students as a teaching tactic. We believe the coach and student need to work together to help the fencer do everything they want to do in fencing. Our way has been successful for a long time and will help all fencers achieve any goal they decide to make for themselves while fencing. Sean and David believe the students accomplishments are more important than their own. While their personal tournament competition schedule has lightened they still fence in tournaments in all events because we believes it's more important to "Be there doing that" than 'Been there, done that".