Patrick gets England fencing call-up
12:24am Friday 28th March 2008
Teenager Patrick Jennings has been selected as part of England fencing's Tomorrow's Achievers epee team to take part in the 21st international tournament in Poland this weekend.
The 14-year-old Thornleigh College pupil, who started fencing when he was only seven years old, has won a number of medals over the last seven years in domestic competitions, including winning the Leon Paul Junior Series for his age group for two consecutive years, which involved winning individual competitions throughout England and Scotland.
Challenge Wratislavia is attended by hundreds of fencers, from most European countries and a few beyond. A spokesman for England Fencing said: "We have been watching Patrick's progress this season, and there is no doubt that he shows great potential, and we are very pleased to have him as part of our Tomorrow's Achievers squad for Wroclaw."
Patrick's ambition is to fence for Great Britain at the Olympics. He trains regularly at Bolton Fencing Club, where his coach, Dave Varey says: "Patrick works hard at his sport, and his pedigree at domestic competitions shows he thoroughly deserves this chance at international standard competition."