The Nigeria Fencing Federation is preparing to stage the third Women in Coaching Online Session on 30 October 2026, with women from across the global fencing community invited to take part.
Key takeaways
- The virtual programme will be held from 2pm to 3.30pm WAT via Google Meet.
- Bola Suru of Nigeria will moderate alongside Malaysia’s Laura Simon.
- Dr Gennady Tyshler will deliver a practical épée coaching class.
- Three-time Olympian Azza Besbes will reflect on her elite competitive career.
- Sessions will address safeguarding, career progression, business planning and personal development.
Session details
The 90-minute event will examine leadership, professional growth, technical improvement and hands-on methods for coaching. It is intended for women coaches, administrators and officials working within the international fencing community.
Suru will serve as host, while Simon will take on the co-hosting role. Tyshler, president of the FIE Coaches Council and an experienced fencing master and coach educator, will lead the practical épée segment.
Besbes, who represented Tunisia at three Olympic Games, will join the programme to discuss her experiences competing at the highest level. Officials from the FIE Women and Fencing Council are also due to participate.
Career development and coaching support
Meirav Ofri Hershkovich will examine the obstacles encountered by women coaches and consider possible pathways for professional advancement. Teodora Visnjic will focus on safeguarding within coaching, while Rachael Samuel, the federation’s vice-president, will present guidance on business approaches and coaches’ personal development.
The federation said the initiative will give women coaches an opportunity to gain knowledge from specialists, share perspectives and build abilities useful both for athlete training and career management. It added that greater investment in women coaches could help expand and strengthen fencing in Nigeria and internationally.
Women coaches from a number of countries are expected to join the session. Registration is available at https://forms.gle/ioyfEw4jZragSSY59.
