America's highest-income county gets its own fencing club
Loudoun International Fencing Club is home of Virginias women's state champion
ASHBURN, Va., April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 11, 2015, Loudoun International Fencing Club (LIFC) will open its doors to a brand new facility, the first fencing club in Loudoun County with its own space. The county has the highest median household income in the United States, yet amazingly it didn't have a fencing club until now.
The club, located in Ashburn, Va., is home to the 2014 Gold Medal Winner at the Pan-American games in the Veterans 50 category. The club also counts the current Virginia Women's State Epee Champion among its members.
"Loudoun County has some of the brightest people in the world among its residents," says Chief Coach, Geoff Butler. "It was only natural to open the fencing club in Ashburn, since fencing is a sport as much of the body as it is of the mind."
"The club's mission is to establish a home for fencers in Loudoun County and the surrounding areas, regardless of their experience level or aspirations," says Amy Lingley-Papadopoulos, owner of LIFC and a doctor of biomedical engineering. "We create a supportive club environment for everyone, from first-time fencers just wanting to give the sport a try, to competitive fencers working to make it to the Olympics, to veteran fencers just wanting to get (back) into the sport."
Maria Papadopoulos, the 2014 Virginia Women's State Champion who recently received her "B" rating and placed 15th nationally in epee fencing, says: "When I decided to quit gymnastics and start fencing, I thought I would never stand a chance to win a bout against grown men twice my size. But it turns out that fencing is not only a physical sport, it's also a mind game. There is a reason why fencing is often referred to as 'physical chess'."
While the club is just starting, Coach Geoff and a number of club members have been working together for years. Geoff has taught students of all ages and levels in the art of fencing at schools, clubs and recreation centers in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William counties in Virginia.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 10am – 2pm. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will start at 10.30am, with Virginia State Delegates Randy Minchew and Thomas Greason doing the honors. Delegate Minchew used to fence saber for Duke University and promised to bring his fencing gear! After ribbon cutting, sandwiches and drinks, club members will give fencing demonstrations. Guests will have a chance to try out fencing using club-provided equipment.
About Loudoun International Fencing Club
Loudoun International Fencing Club was established in 2014. The women-owned club offers kids, adults, and veterans the opportunity to learn and practice fencing in their own club environment. In spite of its short existence, the club has already built ties to several international fencing clubs in the UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
More information is available at the club's website, www.loudounfencing.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197546
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197545
SOURCE Loudoun International Fencing Club
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