Fencing coaches accepted into AIS Coach Program

The Australian Fencing Federation is very excited to announce that two of our National Assistant Coaches – Tais Rochel and Alex Andre, have been accepted into the Australian Institute of Sport ENHANCE Coach Program.

The program has been created to specifically for High Performance coaches with significant international senior coaching experience to provide opportunities to strengthen their leadership, strategic, and collaborative skills.

Rochel and Andre are two of 30 coaches across all sports that will take part in the 18-month program, and their acceptance into the program is a wonderful acknowledgement for the HP fencing community in Australia.

The program will include one-on-one mentorship, discussions with seasoned experts, and in-person workshops focusing on self-awareness, strategic leadership, and leveraging the broader sporting system for enhanced performance.

Speaking about their acceptance to the program, both our coaches expressed their excitement to be part of it.

“I am really excited to have been selected for the ENHANCE Coach Program,” Andre said.

“To be able to continue to develop, learn and enhance coaching mindset, skills and methodology is something I am very much looking forward to.”

Rochel agreed.

“Being accepted into this program is a great honour,” she said.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by top-level Australian coaches from a variety of sports.

“I’m excited to learn and grow as a coach. This experience will also allow me to bring fresh ideas and insights back to our fencing community.”

Andre explained that being a coach is incredibly rewarding, and enjoys being part of each individual journey that athletes in the sport are embarking upon.

“Coaching is an organic thing, always evolving,” she said.

“Fencers (athletes) and their coaches are on the journey together and it is a wonderful thing to teach kids or adults what fencing is and see how they grow.”

That individual journey and intrinsic reward one gets from coaching is something that continuously drives Rochel.

“My goal is to give back and help elevate the sport, both on a personal and professional level,” she said.

“What I love most about coaching is witnessing athletes’ growth – not only in their fencing journey but also as individuals.

“It’s difficult to put into words, as coaching is so much more than just a job; it’s a calling. Being a coach gives me a sense of purpose, and having the opportunity to teach the athletes the values of sport is truly incredible.”

The AFF will continue to provide our coaches the best opportunities for ongoing development to be able to support our entire fencing community moving forward.