All-American Fencing Academy About The
“I got into fencing for the same reason many people get into fencing. Because when we were kids, ‘we all played swords'”. -Paul Hovey (Former student and coach)
The All-American Fencing Academy has been operating in Fayetteville, NC since 2001. Our purpose remains the same, introduce fencing and make it available to everyone that was interested and not let cost or equipment be a barrier. Whether you’re a recreational fencer or a competitive one, there’s a place for you at the All-American Fencing Academy.
2001
Pine Forest Recreation Center
In 2001, then director of the Pine Forest Recreation Center (Cumberland County and Fayetteville Parks and Recreation), Gerhard Guevarra, started teaching classes weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program had a brief start with 2 students in Roanoke Rapids, NC prior to Gerhard Guevarra moving back down to Fayetteville, NC.
At the time, the program was called the Cumberland County Fencing Club and was a satellite of the North Carolina Fencing Development Program (headquartered at Chapel Hill, NC). The program started with just saber fencers and had a small class of about 5 students.
Soon the Cumberland County Fencing Club grew and expanded into teaching all three weapons, foil, epee, and saber. Students were coming from all over Cumberland County, Fayetteville, Harnett County and Fort Bragg to learn or continue fencing.
2002-2008
Albritton Middle School, Fort Bragg, NC
Within another year, the fencing program moved all operations and consolidated equipment and coaches on Fort Bragg, dubbing itself the All-American Fencing Club, and for the first time, becoming a United States Fencing Association member club. The All-American Fencing Club separated from the North Carolina Fencing Development Program and was now supported by the Army Fencing Association.
The All-American Fencing Club operated at the Albritton Junior High School gymnasium every Tuesday and Thursday, seeing many new fencers and Soldiers. It was during this time that the club started sending more fencers to local, regional and national tournaments, solidifying it’s place as a competitive and successful club within the North Carolina Division, often placing fencers in the top 12 in tournaments.
2008-Current
Downtown Fayetteville
In 2008, the All-American Fencing Club received the possible opportunity of gaining a new coach with Olympic and World Cup Championship experience. The All-American Fencing Club took this opportunity to look at the plausibility of moving the fencing program off the installation and build the program in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville.
The fencing club found a new home with the Creative Dancer’s Workshop and the current members agreed to be reborn as the All-American Fencing ACADEMY. Moving the club physically and moving the club mentally from an idea of like minded athletes fencing and learning together to a formidable school that produces quality competitive fencers locally, regionally, and nationally; as well as continuing to provide recreational fencing opportunities.
Although the former primary intent of the club was to build and maintain a strong Army Fencing Team, the club’s strength lies in it’s civilian and Army family students. We welcome the whole community. Our fencers come from all over the Sandhills region and Fort Bragg, NC. The All-American Fencing Academy is the only location teaching and training fencers within a 2 hour radius.
Our students at the All-American Fencing Academy compete locally, regionally and nationally. Some have qualified for National Championships and some have qualified for Junior Olympics. Our fencers are also recruited and continue to fence for Division I, II, and III university fencing teams. Our staff has international tournament experience. We are a well rounded and family oriented fencing team.