Our History
PVFA was founded August 15th, 2003. Having taught fencing at various locations in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, it became increasingly apparent that a centralized location devoted solely to fencing was needed. Thus PVFA was born. Since then the club has grown and moved to 94 Cottage St. in Easthampton.
We now celebrates over many years of stabbing our friends (and getting away with it) and our little club is starting to rack up a list of impressive accomplishments. Our fencers have competed in more than a dozen states at competitions ranging from small local events to national championships. We have had students medal at North America Cups and the US National Championships and have earned a Gold at the Pan American Games. We have trained and certified several of our fencers as coaches and referees and have hosted USFCA coaching clinics. We've helped students get into college, including Ivy League schools, and even have had students earn college fencing scholarships.
PVFA has provided swords and has aided in fight choreography for Somers High School and their production of "Peter Pan" as well as Hampshire Regional High School's "Treasure Island" and "The Three Musketeers." PVFA also provided instruction for Real Live Theater's production of "Athena."
Northampton High School Fencing Team:
We also have a long history with the Northampton High School Fencing Team. Paul Sise was an assistant coach for the team under Martin Wohl for two years prior to starting PVFA. When Dr. Wohl retired, PVFA saber coach RJ Ferullo then took charge as head coach for NHS Fencing, a position he held for eleven years. In 2016, Ferullo was hired as the head coach of UMASS Fencing, and Camilla Sise (then Fossa) took over NHS Fencing and in 2017 Nicole Mann joined her as an assistant coach. PVFA also started hosting NHS Fencing practices in 2017. In 2020, Coach Mann took over as the Head Coach for the NHS team while Coach Camilla Sise remained as an Assistant Coach which allowed her the opportunity to become the new Head Coach for the Amherst College Mammoths. In 2023, Camilla left Amherst College and regained the position of Head Coach for NHS while Paul Sise took over as head coach of Amherst College.
Over the years we've enjoyed visits from fencers from France, Egypt, England, South Africa, and Australia! Notable fencers who have been to PVFA include Vet Saber World Champion Wang Yung and Olympians David Micahnik, Tyrone Simmons, and Michael Marx.
PVFA was founded August 15th, 2003. Having taught fencing at various locations in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, it became increasingly apparent that a centralized location devoted solely to fencing was needed. Thus PVFA was born. Since then the club has grown and moved to 94 Cottage St. in Easthampton.
We now celebrates over many years of stabbing our friends (and getting away with it) and our little club is starting to rack up a list of impressive accomplishments. Our fencers have competed in more than a dozen states at competitions ranging from small local events to national championships. We have had students medal at North America Cups and the US National Championships and have earned a Gold at the Pan American Games. We have trained and certified several of our fencers as coaches and referees and have hosted USFCA coaching clinics. We've helped students get into college, including Ivy League schools, and even have had students earn college fencing scholarships.
PVFA has provided swords and has aided in fight choreography for Somers High School and their production of "Peter Pan" as well as Hampshire Regional High School's "Treasure Island" and "The Three Musketeers." PVFA also provided instruction for Real Live Theater's production of "Athena."
Northampton High School Fencing Team:
We also have a long history with the Northampton High School Fencing Team. Paul Sise was an assistant coach for the team under Martin Wohl for two years prior to starting PVFA. When Dr. Wohl retired, PVFA saber coach RJ Ferullo then took charge as head coach for NHS Fencing, a position he held for eleven years. In 2016, Ferullo was hired as the head coach of UMASS Fencing, and Camilla Sise (then Fossa) took over NHS Fencing and in 2017 Nicole Mann joined her as an assistant coach. PVFA also started hosting NHS Fencing practices in 2017. In 2020, Coach Mann took over as the Head Coach for the NHS team while Coach Camilla Sise remained as an Assistant Coach which allowed her the opportunity to become the new Head Coach for the Amherst College Mammoths. In 2023, Camilla left Amherst College and regained the position of Head Coach for NHS while Paul Sise took over as head coach of Amherst College.
Over the years we've enjoyed visits from fencers from France, Egypt, England, South Africa, and Australia! Notable fencers who have been to PVFA include Vet Saber World Champion Wang Yung and Olympians David Micahnik, Tyrone Simmons, and Michael Marx.
