MEDIA RELEASE
6 December 2023
MINISTER FOR SPORT STEVE DIMOPOULOS EXPRESSES PRAISE AND SUPPORT FOR FENCING
NORTH MELBOURNE –Victorian Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos, MP, had always enjoyed watching fencing on television. But his first chance to watch the sport live was the 2023 Australian and Oceania Senior, Veteran, and Australian Youth Circuit Fencing Championships. “It’s a dynamic sport, iconic, when you think of the Olympics, one of the first sports in the [modern] Olympics. But I also love movies of medieval times, and this reminds me of those. It’s a sport that is clearly popular and Australians do well in.”
He pointed out the importance of Victoria, particularly Melbourne, to host high-profile competitions like this weekend’s championships. “The pathways between community and elite sports are always important when you can see what you want to be, whether it’s about female participation in sports or sports that don’t get enough public recognition or screen time, like fencing. That’s why I’m here today to support this important event, and all participants whether they be from metro or regional Victoria or anywhere across Australia, New Zealand or the broader region.”
He strongly believes there’s an ongoing role for the Victorian Government in supporting fencing: “We’re also doing some work with Fencing Victoria to see what needs they might have to profile the sport. We know sports are important for all sorts of reasons. Physical health is just the beginning; it’s much more than that. It’s the ability to collaborate, share friendships and experiences, be leaders and volunteers. But if you’re just going to confine that to two or three sports, that doesn’t fit every single person’s aspirations. I’m really committed as Sports Minister, as is the Government, to give as much support as is possible to sports that open up the bandwidth of what is available to people to participate in, from fencing to hockey to a range of other sports.”
Results for each event at the competition are available at
https://www.fencingtimelive.com/tournaments/eventSchedule/8284EE098F63431FA0F03B468EE30E0A#today
Photo credit: Ed Chiu
For more information
Laura E. Goodin
Media Officer
media@fencingvictoria.org
