Link to Staten Island Live article about our new space
SIFC History
To know where we are headed, it helps to know our past. This month, we shine a spotlight on the founder of SIFC.
The Staten Island Fencing Center was founded in 1980 by Stephan Khinoy as a not-for-profit sports club for the purpose of teaching the Olympic sport of fencing. Stephan, a professor of medieval literature & English, had a lifelong love of fencing and was the club’s first President and Head Coach. After a break in his coaching duties, Coach Khinoy resumed his role as club President in 2013 and the name was changed to the Staten Island Fencing Center with its distinctive new red and black logo replacing the multi color version. In July of 2018 Stephan decided to retire and move to North Carolina with his wife Barbara, who served as the club’s armorer for many years. David Setlow was appointed the new club President.
SIFC Staff
From Coach Paul
Dear SIFC Parents,
I wanted to take a moment to emphasize the importance of private lessons and tournament participation for your child’s growth as a fencer and developing athlete.
Private lessons are a crucial part of your child’s fencing training. They allow our coaches to work closely with your child, focusing on their specific strengths and areas for improvement. For those who wish to compete at a higher level, it’s important that they take 2-3 private lessons per week. This will ensure they are not only refining their techniques but also building the confidence and mental sharpness needed to succeed in tournaments.
We offer private lessons at a very affordable rate of $30 per lesson, with each session running between 20-30 minutes. For families looking for more consistent training, we also provide a lesson package of 10 lessons for just $250—an excellent value for helping your child make meaningful progress in their fencing skills.
Additionally, I want to highlight that the season for local, regional, and national tournaments is officially underway starting this week. These tournaments are vital to your child’s development as a fencer. Local tournaments, including those hosted by our club, serve as the foundation for your child’s competitive experience. They offer an opportunity to practice, gain confidence, and test their skills in a supportive environment. Local competitions are essential as preparation for larger regional and national tournaments, where the level of competition increases, and the stakes are higher.
Participating in regional and national tournaments is particularly important because they help your child qualify for major events like the Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals—two of the most prestigious tournaments in the country. These tournaments not only provide crucial experience but also play a significant role in your child’s development as an athlete, pushing them to grow in both skill and mental toughness. Achieving success in these larger tournaments reflects positively on your child and our club as a whole.
Tournaments are not just about winning; they are about building resilience, learning to handle pressure, and developing the competitive mindset necessary to succeed in fencing and in life. The lessons learned through competition are invaluable and will benefit your child beyond the fencing strip.
I encourage you to prioritize both private lessons and active tournament participation as key elements in helping your child reach their full potential in fencing. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to your child’s success. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule more private lessons.
Tournament Registrations
Not sure which age group your fencer is eligible for? These links will take you to the information posted by USA Fencing to help you.
USA Fencing Age and Classification Eligibility Rules
SIFC Coaches Recommend...
National & Regional Events
November 16-17, 2024 Jeff Wolfe RJCC in Rocky Point, NY. Cadet and Junior. Late registration closes November 3.
November 29-December 1 Cobra Challenge in Secaucus, NJ. Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet. Regular registration closes November 6.
December 14-15 Morris Cup RYC/RJCC in Suffern, NY. Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior. Regular registration closes November 25.
January 18-25, 2025 Capitol Clash in National Harbor, MD. Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet. Regular registration closes December 13.
March 7-10, 2025 North American Cup in Cleveland, Ohio. Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet. Registration not open yet.
March 21-23, 2025 Fairfax Challenge in Fredericksburg, VA. Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior. Regular registration closes March 3.
SIFC Tournaments
SIFC Youth Foil and Epee on November 2. Y10, Y12, Y14.
SIFC Senior Open on November 3.
SIFC Classic on November 10. Y12, Y14, and Senior Open.
Local Tournaments
Go to AskFRED to find and register for tournaments run by local organizers. They are typically smaller and are a great introduction to competition.
Regional & National Tournaments
Click the USA Fencing events link to search and register for regional, national, and international tournaments.
Credits:
Created with images by gunzexx png and bg - "Two athletes in white fencing gear are engaged in a competitive duel, their blades crossed, against a vivid red background capturing movement and tension" • Leigh Prather - "Sparkler trail of light with sparks in a straight line." • julianpictures - "Junior Girls at a foil fencing tournament"