All of the instructors at the Western Fencing Academy have prior experience working as coaches for children. Each instructor is also an accomplished fencer with years of experience. All instructors and assistant coaches have submitted to criminal background checks. Programs will be instructed by Eric Katzman, in conjunction with his assistant coaches.
Eric Katzman
Eric Katzman has been a fencer on the UWO Varsity Fencing Team for three years. He has obtained high OUA individual rankings in the Men's Sabre event during each of these years. In 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, Eric won Ontario University Association team bronze medals in conjunction with his esteemed teammates from the University of Western Ontario. Eric was employed as an instructor at Sport Western on a full-time basis for the month of July in 2009, teaching children introductory-level fencing. At the Western Ontario Fencing Club, Eric teaches recreational university students the basics of fencing on a weekly basis. Eric is an award-winning fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario who will be entering his first year of law school in September. Eric is CPR and First Aid certified. He has obtained his national coaching certification and OFA community development designation.
Eric Katzman received the Bronze W Award from the University of Western Ontario in April of 2010 for his long-term commitment to university athletics.
Mark Jones
Mark Jones is currently concluding his studies at the University of Western Ontario. In 2009, Mark ranked first at the Ontario University Association Championships in the Men's Epee category, winning a gold medal for UWO. Subsequently, in 2010, Mark earned a silver medal for Western. In the team category, Mark won gold in the 2007-2008 season, silver in 2008-2009, and bronze in 2009-2010. Mark's current open ranking is second in Ontario and within the top 30 in Canada. Mark has been an instructor at the Western Fencing Club teaching university students for the past two years. In July of 2008, Mark was a full time instructor at Sport Western teaching children how to fence. Mark Jones is First Aid and CPR certified.
Andrea Csiba
Andrea Csiba has been fencing for more than a decade, at the university, provincial and national level. She has won a numerous medals across all competition levels, including the university championship title in epee while in her first year at Western, and the university championship sportsmanship award this past year. She currently ranks 16th in Canada in women’s epee. In addition to participating in competitions, Andrea has several years of experience teaching kids in the beginner and intermediate classes through the London Fencing Club.
Grace Lee
Grace Lee has been an instructor at the Mustang Sword Club for the past two years. She has been fencing foil for the past six years, three of them at the varsity level. Grace has been certified as a Community Instructor by the Ontario Fencing Association.