Meet our coaches
Camden Fencing Club’s strength lies in the depth and continuity of its coaching. Our current team brings together Olympians, national champions, and experienced development coaches who support fencers at every stage, from complete beginners to international competitors. This expertise is built on a strong legacy of past coaches who have shaped the club’s culture, standards, and success over many years.
Ian Williams
Former British Senior Sabre Champion and topped the National Senior Rankings on eight occasions between 1989 and 1998, and represented Britain in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and competed in nine World Championships.
Ian has been at the club since 2002 He is also Head of Fencing and Head Coach at Whitgift school, South Croydon where he has worked since 2016. Ian was previously the Great Britain Senior National Sabre Coach for Team GB (2006–2008), Lead National Sabre Talent Coach and British Junior (Under 20) National coach (2013 - 2016).
Former British Senior Sabre Champion and topped the National Senior Rankings on eight occasions between 1989 and 1998, and represented Britain in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and competed in nine World Championships.
Ian has been at the club since 2002 He is also Head of Fencing and Head Coach at Whitgift school, South Croydon where he has worked since 2016. Ian was previously the Great Britain Senior National Sabre Coach for Team GB (2006–2008), Lead National Sabre Talent Coach and British Junior (Under 20) National coach (2013 - 2016).
Curtis Miller
Curtis Miller began fencing at the age of eleven at Camden Fencing Club under coach Ian Williams. Williams spotted some natural talent in him and encouraged him to work hard to see how far he could go in the sport. Success came as a Junior when he won a bronze medal in 2012 at one of the toughest events on the circuit – the Dourdan World Cup.
Curtis Miller began fencing at the age of eleven at Camden Fencing Club under coach Ian Williams. Williams spotted some natural talent in him and encouraged him to work hard to see how far he could go in the sport. Success came as a Junior when he won a bronze medal in 2012 at one of the toughest events on the circuit – the Dourdan World Cup.
Sam Gibbs
Sam began fencing at Swindon Fencing Club at the age of 13, and started competing regularly as an adult. After joining Camden as a fencer in 2009 he has won several senior domestic competitons.
He qualified as a coach in 2008, and was active at Reading University, Swindon Fencing Club, and Abingdon Fencing Club, as well as a variety of schools and sports centres in the Reading area. Following a relocation to London in 2016 he joined the coaching team at Camden.
Sam began fencing at Swindon Fencing Club at the age of 13, and started competing regularly as an adult. After joining Camden as a fencer in 2009 he has won several senior domestic competitons.
He qualified as a coach in 2008, and was active at Reading University, Swindon Fencing Club, and Abingdon Fencing Club, as well as a variety of schools and sports centres in the Reading area. Following a relocation to London in 2016 he joined the coaching team at Camden.
Patricia Aiyenuro - BEM
Patricia is Chair of Camden Fencing Club and President of British Fencing, and has extensive experience as an international team manager, supporting fencers at dozens of World Cups and major championships.
Her dedication has helped make fencing accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part, and in 2017 she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to sport in Camden.
She joined the British Fencing Board in 2020 and now serves as President, continuing to play a leading role in the development of the sport at a national level.
Patricia is Chair of Camden Fencing Club and President of British Fencing, and has extensive experience as an international team manager, supporting fencers at dozens of World Cups and major championships.
Her dedication has helped make fencing accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part, and in 2017 she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to sport in Camden.
She joined the British Fencing Board in 2020 and now serves as President, continuing to play a leading role in the development of the sport at a national level.
Former coaches
James Williams
James Williams was a former British Sabre Champion and the only senior British male fencer to reach a World Cup quarter-final. He represented Great Britain at 11 World Championships, over 110 World Cups, and three Olympic Games: Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000.
After his competitive career, James made a major contribution as a coach and leader. He was a Senior Coach Developer for British Fencing, a nominated sabre coach, and an Athlete Development Pathway coach, working with leading Olympic coaches including Christian Bauer, Christian Peters, and Peter Frohlich.
He also played a key role in sports administration, serving as British Fencing Performance Manager (2005–2011), Team Manager, and Chef de Mission for the 2019 European Cadet and Junior Championships. He joined the British Fencing Board in 2020.
James is remembered for his outstanding contribution to British fencing and his lasting impact on the sport.
James Williams was a former British Sabre Champion and the only senior British male fencer to reach a World Cup quarter-final. He represented Great Britain at 11 World Championships, over 110 World Cups, and three Olympic Games: Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000.
After his competitive career, James made a major contribution as a coach and leader. He was a Senior Coach Developer for British Fencing, a nominated sabre coach, and an Athlete Development Pathway coach, working with leading Olympic coaches including Christian Bauer, Christian Peters, and Peter Frohlich.
He also played a key role in sports administration, serving as British Fencing Performance Manager (2005–2011), Team Manager, and Chef de Mission for the 2019 European Cadet and Junior Championships. He joined the British Fencing Board in 2020.
James is remembered for his outstanding contribution to British fencing and his lasting impact on the sport.
Richard Kruse (SallePaulCamden)
Richard coached at Camden for many years and is one of Britain’s most successful foil fencers. A former Junior European Champion (2002), he reached World No.1 in 2019 and won five Senior World Cups and four Grand Prix titles between 2009 and 2019. His achievements also include a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships and multiple European medals, both individually and as part of the British team, including gold at the 2015 European Games.
A four-time Olympian, Richard achieved his best result with a fourth-place finish at Rio 2016. He was also a six-time British Champion.
Richard coached at Camden for many years and is one of Britain’s most successful foil fencers. A former Junior European Champion (2002), he reached World No.1 in 2019 and won five Senior World Cups and four Grand Prix titles between 2009 and 2019. His achievements also include a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships and multiple European medals, both individually and as part of the British team, including gold at the 2015 European Games.
A four-time Olympian, Richard achieved his best result with a fourth-place finish at Rio 2016. He was also a six-time British Champion.
Nuno Esteves
Nuno Esteves was a sabre coach at Camden Fencing Club until 2025, combining his coaching with work as a sport scientist and PhD researcher. His interests focused on the physiological profiling of high-performing athletes and the development and monitoring of training programmes. Nuno began fencing at the age of 11 and was coached by leading figures including Peter Kolloch, Herman du Preez, Ian Williams, and Rafael Lopez, giving him a broad and adaptable coaching approach. He was a regular member of the Portuguese National Team, competing at European and World Cadet and Junior Championships, as well as Senior World Cups. His competitive achievements include becoming Portuguese Senior National Champion in 2014, multiple Portuguese National Team titles with AEJG, Spanish La Liga Team Champion in 2016, and a silver medal at the British Team National Championships with Camden Fencing Club in 2019.
Nuno Esteves was a sabre coach at Camden Fencing Club until 2025, combining his coaching with work as a sport scientist and PhD researcher. His interests focused on the physiological profiling of high-performing athletes and the development and monitoring of training programmes. Nuno began fencing at the age of 11 and was coached by leading figures including Peter Kolloch, Herman du Preez, Ian Williams, and Rafael Lopez, giving him a broad and adaptable coaching approach. He was a regular member of the Portuguese National Team, competing at European and World Cadet and Junior Championships, as well as Senior World Cups. His competitive achievements include becoming Portuguese Senior National Champion in 2014, multiple Portuguese National Team titles with AEJG, Spanish La Liga Team Champion in 2016, and a silver medal at the British Team National Championships with Camden Fencing Club in 2019.
JJ Webb
JJ was introduced to fencing at the age of eleven and was immediately hooked. He is a former Senior British National Champion and gold medallist (2016), and has been a consistent presence at the top of the senior rankings. Since 2011, JJ has represented Great Britain at major international competitions, including World and European Championships at all levels.
JJ was introduced to fencing at the age of eleven and was immediately hooked. He is a former Senior British National Champion and gold medallist (2016), and has been a consistent presence at the top of the senior rankings. Since 2011, JJ has represented Great Britain at major international competitions, including World and European Championships at all levels.
Leonardo Suarez (SallePaulCamden)
Leo was a former member of the Cuban National Foil Team and a Cuban Junior (U20) Champion, as well as a Central American Champion.
He moved to Britain in 2002 and taught foil at Camden Fencing Club for many years, where he played an important role in developing fencers of all levels at the club.
Leo was a former member of the Cuban National Foil Team and a Cuban Junior (U20) Champion, as well as a Central American Champion.
He moved to Britain in 2002 and taught foil at Camden Fencing Club for many years, where he played an important role in developing fencers of all levels at the club.
Soji Aiyenuro
Soji is a former member of British Fencing’s World Class Programme and an accomplished international sabreur. His achievements include gold at the Birmingham Sabre International (2019), team gold at the Commonwealth Games (2014), team silver at the Commonwealth Championships (2019), and team silver at the British Team Championships (2019).
Soji began fencing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport, which has underpinned his success at national and international level.
Soji is a former member of British Fencing’s World Class Programme and an accomplished international sabreur. His achievements include gold at the Birmingham Sabre International (2019), team gold at the Commonwealth Games (2014), team silver at the Commonwealth Championships (2019), and team silver at the British Team Championships (2019).
Soji began fencing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport, which has underpinned his success at national and international level.
Sarah Ellis
Sarah represented has Britain in World and European Championships, as well as Northern Ireland at Commonwealth Championships. Sarah was one of Britain's top ranked female fencers in 2013.
Sarah represented has Britain in World and European Championships, as well as Northern Ireland at Commonwealth Championships. Sarah was one of Britain's top ranked female fencers in 2013.
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