On Guard for the Journey
A national campaign to help Australian fencers get to the world stage
Every fencing bout begins the same way: En garde.
A moment of readiness. A commitment to step forward.
For Australia’s fencers, that moment comes long before they step onto the piste. It begins with a far tougher challenge than an opponent across the strip, the cost of travel.
Today, the Australian Fencing Federation is proud to launch On Guard for the Journey, a new year-round fundraising campaign designed to ensure that no Australian fencer misses out on representing their country simply because they cannot afford the journey.
Travel is the toughest opponent our athletes face
Fencing is a global sport. For Australian athletes, meaningful competition, whether domestic or international, almost always involves travel. Flights, accommodation, competition entry fees, airport transfers, excess baggage for equipment: the costs add up quickly.
For our athletes, travel is the single largest financial barrier to competing. Many athletes in the high‑performance pathway are required to self‑fund most, if not all, of these costs. Too often, talented and deserving athletes are forced to turn down selection opportunities, not due to ability or effort, but because the journey is out of reach.
As a niche sport, fencing has always relied on resilience, creativity and community. On Guard for the Journey is about turning that shared understanding into collective action.
A Travel Fund built by fencers, for fencers
On Guard for the Journey establishes Fencing Australia’s dedicated Travel Fund, delivered in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). The Fund provides targeted travel grants to help selected athletes cover essential costs so that talent and commitment, not finances, determine who steps onto the piste wearing green and gold.
All donations to the campaign are tax‑deductible, and 100% of funds raised are directed to athlete travel support.
Even modest support can make a meaningful difference. With sustained community support, the Travel Fund can subsidise dozens of athlete trips each year, easing pressure on families, expanding access to opportunity, and directly strengthening Australia’s presence on the international stage.
A message from our President
“As a young fencer, I fundraised just to afford the travel to national and international events. I asked my community for help because it was the only way I could get there.
It worked, but I also learned how hard it is to be both athlete and fundraiser.
Now, as President of the AFF, I’m determined that the next generation won’t have to fight the same financial battle. On Guard for the Journey is our promise that no Australian fencer should miss out on selection because they can’t afford the flight.”
Sam, President, Australian Fencing Federation
How your support helps
Every contribution to On Guard for the Journey goes directly toward removing practical travel barriers for athletes. Your gift may help cover:
- ✈ Domestic and international flights
- 🏨 Accommodation close to competition venues
- 🎟️ Competition entry and registration fees
- 🚐 Airport transfers and local transport
To make the impact clear, the campaign offers tangible giving levels, including:
- $50 – First Lunge: helps with airport transfers and local transport
- $150 – New Piste: supports competition entry fees and equipment travel
- $300 – Decisive Hit: contributes to accommodation costs
- $1,000 – Victory Strip: helps fund an international flight
Or give what you can, every touch counts.
A shared journey
This campaign is about more than fundraising. It is about strengthening the fencing community, honouring those who have walked this path before, and standing side‑by‑side with today’s athletes as they pursue their goals.
Whether you are a current or former fencer, a parent, coach, official, supporter, or simply someone who believes in the power of sport to change lives, you are part of this journey.
Make your decisive hit
On Guard for the Journey officially launches at the National Championships, but the journey begins now.
By donating today, you help ensure that Australian fencers can move from selection to competition, from potential to performance, and onto the world stage.
Stand on guard with our athletes.
Make your decisive hit today.