Scott Rodgers, PLY scores a touché during fencing practice with Parafencing Coach Haley Ward.
In 2014, the Denver Fencing Foundation (legal name Colorado Wheelchair Fencing Foundation) started as a 501c3 with a single goal: Promote the sport of fencing, especially to people in underserved populations. Over the years, DFF has partnered with numerous local groups including, Denver Fencing Center, the City of Denver, Colorado Wheelchair Sports Camp, River Deep, Craig Hospital, Veteran’s Administration, and Denver Public Schools. You can find out more about the foundation on their website: DenverFencingFoundation.org
In 2020, DFF won a grant from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to grow parafencing. The grant enabled us to create a Paralympic training space in Denver and launch a series of tournaments between parafencers and able bodied fencers.
In 2023, Denver Fencing Foundation has four major projects:
Parafencing: The United States has only won 3 medals in Paralympic fencing history. The foundation is raising money to promote parafencing and develop athletes who can compete at all levels of competitions including the Paralympics. Many people with disabilities do not have the funding to compete. The foundation supports athletes with equipment, entry fees, and travel costs.
Youth Outreach: According to the Aspen Institute, “The number of kids playing sports keeps decreasing.” Fencing is a fun and exciting sport that is engaging to youth across the city. All of the Foundation’s programs are at record attendance levels. One of the major goals of the program is to create sports equality across the city. As noted in the Aspen Institute’s summary, “Children from homes in the lowest income bracket are far more likely to be physically inactive than kids from wealthier households.” The Denver Fencing Foundation currently has 17 different schools with enrichment programs. Our program has proven results of assisting these underserved populations including one graduate who attends Cornell University.
Neurodiverse Fencing: As part of our mission of “Fencing for All”, Denver Fencing Foundation has partnered with DPS Adaptive Physical Education, Revel and Stepping Stone to bring fencing to neurodiverse individual adults. We have had huge success with this program. Our goal is for fencing to join the sports at the Special Olympics.
Neighborhood Partnerships: With the support of the City of Denver and a grant from DEDO, Denver Fencing Foundation is planning on hosting the Ruby Hill Block Party in Spring 2024. This block party will bring Ruby Hill neighboring businesses to show off what they do. The Ruby Hill Block Party will feature music and food trucks.
College Fencing Programs: Colorado is home to only one NCAA fencing program: Air Force Academy. Nearly all of the top Colorado fencers leave the state to attend college with NCAA teams or strong club programs. We have watched as the fencing valedictorians of South High School, George Washington High School, and Littleton High attended U. of Chicago, Cornell University, and Cal Tech in recent years. We would love to have multiple NCAA fencing programs in our state to keep the brain drain from continuing.