Fioretto Fencing Club is a highly esteemed sports club located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1982 by Maestro Joe D'Onofrio, the club has grown exponentially over the years and has become a prominent name in the fencing community.
Initially starting with just a handful of fencers and a school hall, Fioretto Fencing Club quickly gained recognition and achieved its first milestone in 1996 when it secured a rundown scout hall in Clayton as its permanent training venue. This success fueled a period of rapid growth and expansion, with membership numbers steadily increasing.
The club's commitment to providing its members with the best possible training environment led to significant investments in the development of its training venue. These improvements paved the way for the club to excel in various fencing disciplines, including wheelchair fencing. In 2002, Fioretto became the first fencing club in the state to send a coach overseas to become qualified in training wheelchair fencers and subsequently introduced the only wheelchair training programme in Victoria.
Sabre fencing also became a speciality of Fioretto Fencing Club under the guidance of coach Eddie Marmur. The club's sabre squad quickly dominated the Victorian fencing scene, with Fioretto fencers occupying more than 50% of the top positions in competitions. However, a setback occurred in 2003 when the club's training venue was condemned as unsafe due to structural deterioration. Undeterred, Maestro Joe worked tirelessly to secure a new venue and succeeded in acquiring the new Fioretto Hall in East Oakleigh at the end of 2006.
The acquisition of the new hall led to a resurgence in the club's activities, with 32 fencers moving in and the club expanding its training sessions to accommodate the growing membership. Currently, Fioretto Fencing Club boasts over 100 members and beginners each year, offering 10 sessions a week, along with Sunday competitions and holiday workshops. With a focus on junior development, the club is an industry leader in Victoria, producing remarkable results and nurturing young talents.
Fioretto Fencing Club is known for its welcoming and inclusive environment. The club prides itself on embracing athletes of all ages and does not impose any gender barriers. It offers a women's fencing group every Wednesday during the morning to provide a safe and friendly space for women to learn and engage in the sport. Additionally, Fioretto has recently introduced beginner's programmes for homeschooled kids in collaboration with the Home Education Network (HEN), which has garnered significant popularity.
As of June 2023, Fioretto Fencing Club is currently accepting beginners across all age groups until the end of term 3 (September). However, due to high demand, places are filling up quickly, and the club's recruitment policy for 2024 will be reviewed based on membership numbers. The club invites individuals with a passion for fencing to join their thriving community and experience the art and sport that is fencing.
