Scottish Fencing Awards 2020 - Crosnier Coaching & Crosnier Quaich Performance Awards

Question Title

* 1. Please vote for your Crosnier Coaching Award winner

Don MacKenzie

From the start of lockdown Don arranged regular zoom video conferences with his fencers and their families. These supportive meetings were uplifting, providing indoor training ideas and psychological help, motivating everyone to work hard with a positive attitude. As lockdown eased over summer he identified outdoor venues for the members to congregate and exercise according to the changing Covid guidelines, and produced inventive exercise fitness regimes focussed on fun, improving physical health and fostering a team spirit. His naturally infectious optimism inspires all who have him as their coach during these challenging times.

Keith Cook

Keith has done an amazing job of keeping Salle Holyrood fencing throughout almost the whole year despite the pandemic - initially leading multiple zoom sessions a week and then planning ahead to enable fencing to start back as soon restrictions allowed. He found new venues, new systems, new protocols and has continued to adapt these as the Covid-19 rules have changed. This has meant the entire club has had the opportunity to get back to fencing 'in real life’ whenever possible with weekly zoom sessions continuing for anyone unable to fence in person.

Kev Milne

Kev Milne, head coach at West Lothian Fencing Club, deserves recognition for his family-friendly, affordable and inclusive club.

During lockdown, Kev ran Zoom sessions for fencers of any club - and even personally delivered items required for those shielding locally. Kev suspended fees and delivered sessions to everyone for free. Kev started outdoor fencing when lockdown was eased and in October and is a great representative for fencing in Scotland.

Phil Carson

Phil Carson, not only for the continued success of his fencers, but also for all the work he has put into the Scottish fencing coach development programme. I know that many people have worked with him in a coach development role over the past few of years but I think the reality is it wouldn't have happened without him and his efforts deserve to be recognised.

Question Title

* 2. Please vote for your Crosnier Quaich Performance Award winner

Jaimie Cook

Jaimie achieved so much in the last year or so and is still only 15 years old.Big wins at Senior Opens: Glasgow Open, Birmingham International and Merseyside. British Cadet Champion and British Junior silver medallist.

Selected for British Cadet Team for European and World Championships 2020.

Silver at Challenge Wratislavia 2019

Last 16 at Cabries European Cadet Ranking Competition – the biggest and toughest in the circuit for cadet men’s foil. #1 in the British Cadet Rankings. Youngest ever person to represent Scotland in Senior Foil Team at Five Nations (age 14) and take on the role of anchor man.

Rebecca Gilchrist

Rebecca has several chronic illnesses. She suffers with Ehlers Danlos ( EDS ) and several joints including her hips dislocate with no warning, but it does not deter her and she always always has an amazing smile for everyone. She also has Fibromyalgia, and suffers with intense fatigue and constant pain, and even fell asleep on her feet during one poule !! She is 17 now and has several other chronic conditions affecting her but she absolutely loves Fencing and the coaches at Elgin are absolutely fantastic.

Callum (CJ) Johnson

CJ has won the last 7 Scottish Opens in a row.

He has won 2 Senior British Championships, won in 2 of last 3 seasons, the most ever for a Scottish Men's Epeeist. CJ was 2nd at Senior Commonwealths in 2018, the best result for a Men's epeeist since 1982, and led the Men’s Epee team to a bronze medal. Scottish number 1 for 3 years until December 2019.

British Senior Internationalist throughout last year.

Scottish Men’s Epee Team 2019 5 Nations

The Scottish Men’s Epee prevented England completing a clean sweep of the Senior 5 Nations in Dublin in November 2019 by winning the men’s Epee for the first time since 1989. Incredibly a survivor of the 1989 victory, Hugh Kernohan guided his “slightly” younger team mates, Callum Sutherland (21) and Dylan Morrison (18) to victory winning all four of their matches. This was both Callum and Dylan’s senior international debut. A remarkable achievement.