ARASH and Julia Kerpour have brought their fencing expertise to Sutherland Shire.
The husband and wife fencers from Engadine are former top competitors and now coaches.
They run the SilverSword Fencing Academy at Sutherland PCYC at 2.30pm on Saturdays.
"We have dozen members and most of them are newcomers to the sport," Arash Kerpour said.
"It takes about six or seven months to teach newcomers the skills of fencing.
"But there are some talented fencers in the group."
Kerpour said Sutherland PCYC manager Michelle Nelson was supportive of fencing.
"There were no fencing clubs in the shire, the nearest one was at the Southern Highlands," Kerpour said.
Kerpour said the sport was safe as fencers were covered in layers of kevlar and the blades were blunt with rubber tips.
"Fencing is a unique sport in that it not only engages the body but the mind too," Kerpour said.
"The fencer has to think of their tactics and modify them in the heat of a bout while learning their opponent's strengths and weaknesses."
Do your children go to the academy?