Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy
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About US

 
PVFA was founded in the summer of 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 10 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 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."

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.

Over the years we've enjoyed visits from fencers from France, Egypt, England, and Australia!







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New Students Wanted!  Fencing is fun, great exercise, and we provide equipment!
Make Friends and Stab Them!