Wheelchair fencers determined to break barriers

Fencing is not a popular sport in Jamaica. Wheelchair fencing is even less popular.

However, there are now moves to develop wheelchair fencing locally and remove the barriers which are preventing the sport from moving forward.

Head coach for the national fencing team, Kurt Schmick, said the wheelchair fencers need help to do this and they have started a GoFundMe to get funds to start training to qualify for international competitions.

“There are several competitions this year. Ultimately, what we are trying to do is to get local wheelchair fencers qualified for the Paralympics in 2024,” Schmick said.

“We are looking for support overall. There are also international training camps but those require funding to attend. You can donate your time, you can donate equipment,”he said in appealing to the public for support. Schmick added that local wheelchair fencers can train with each other but the real test comes with appearing in regional or international competitions.

At this time things aren’t going as planned. The GoFundMe has only raised US$390 since it was created in December 2022. They are hoping to raise US$25,900.

Despite this, Schmick said the team is determined to push forward and, hopefully, attend one regional competition this year.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for them but I think they stand a good chance regionally,” he said.

Although the team is facing financial problems, Schmick said they still appreciate the aid they have been receiving.

“ We’ve had some great athletes pass through to help to coach the team, we’ve had coaches come from overseas, the International Wheelchair Fencing Federation has lent its support ... and we’ve also received some support from an equipment standpoint from the Jamaica Fencing Federation,“ he said.

Schmick said he hopes other people will come on board to support the team’s development whether by contributing through GoFundMe or in other ways.

“Ultimately, we would like to bring more attention to the sport locally, bring more recognition to Jamaican wheelchair athletes and to promote the sport among the wheelchair athletes,” he said.