Case studies - Ben Aldridge
Ben Aldridge is 17 and lives in Rochford. His passion is the ancient art of fencing. He also plays a mean bass guitar is applying to Oxford university next year.
Ben explained, “Fencing is centuries-old sport. Some people consider it to be an excuse to stab people with swords but it also encompasses etiquette, physical fitness, stamina, balance, timing and discipline. In modern fencing, three types of sword are available to fight with: the epée; the foil; and the sabre. Each requires a different style and discipline and each has its own individual appeal to certain people.
I originally started around four years ago through a friend of a friend. I attended a taster session and have never really looked back since. I saw it as a great opportunity for regular exercise and soon made many friends through it.”
Where do you go to participate in this activity?
I attend an advanced training session every Monday held locally St. Saviour's Church Hall. I also attend at the same venue on a Wednesday evening as a less rigorous form of training but nevertheless useful. I then do voluntary work as an assistant coach on a Thursday at Shoeburyness High School. This is not only a great help to my coach but it also enables me to gain experience through teaching beginners who are both children and adults. By teaching them what they will need to know to pass their fencing grades, etc. I’m able to look at my own technique and whatever flaws are present and thus improve my own abilities on the way.
What’s the hardest aspect about what you do? Is it dangerous?
The hardest aspect would have to be graciously accepting defeat. Facing loss is inevitable particularly within a competitive sport and so when you seem so confident of yourself, only to be completely whitewashed in a fight, it can be a bit demoralising. However, every loss should only push a person to improve themselves further and each loss counts as a lesson that must be learned. You begin to see where you are going wrong and if you can address this, or better yet use your weaknesses to your advantage, then you're already on the road to improvement and the victories will soon start piling up. Another hard aspect is paying for everything! The equipment and kit can be very expensive and so if you don't have the money, some clubs (such as my own) will lend out kit to use.
Traditionally, fencing was a very dangerous sport but health and safety regulations, as well as the good quality of the equipment and kit means that the most a person is likely to be left with is a few bruises or scratches.
How much time does it take up?
When I first started, I would spend roughly two hours one night a week fencing. Now I spread roughly four or five hours of training over two nights and then spend four hours on a Thursday night both coaching two different age group classes and setting up/packing away, etc.
Though I haven't competed in months, when I’m able to take the time off work at the weekend I’ll often spend most of a day at a competition.
Would you like to fence professionally?
While the thought of fencing internationally or being a professional coach is enticing, I think that my time is best focussed upon other things. I have fought and won against international fencers on a few occasions but unfortunately I do not have the time to commit myself to entering every competition available in order to crawl up the national ranking system. When I leave school, I intend to go to university to read Philosophy and Theology. I will be applying for a place at Oxford University at the beginning of the next academic year and if I were to succeed, I would have accomplished a lifelong dream. Wherever I end up at university, I fully intend to continue fencing in my spare time.
What advice would you give a young person wanting to do what you do?
I would say that whatever reason you have for wanting to fence (apart from wanting to hurt people), just go for it. It's brilliant exercise, great fun and there is so much to learn and always plenty of friends to make.
Who in your life has helped you to Shine? Who inspires you?
My fencing coach, Joanne, has always been supportive of me. She always takes a close interest in my progression as a fencer and is always willing to do what it takes to help me out, whether by taking me to a competition or beating me in a fight to show me where I'm going wrong. She encourages me to do as well as I possibly can and trusts me in teaching some students aspects of fencing and helping her to coach some of them myself. She's taught me so well that I can even beat her now... some of the time.
What other talents do you have?
Apart from fencing, I've played Bass Guitar for four years and have enjoyed being mostly self-taught with that, playing in several bands and just enjoying myself.
I’m grateful for the fact that I’m academic and thus do not struggle with work at sixth form and so I’d like to think that my intelligence, which has also been nurtured by those around me, is another talent I possess.
I can also touch my nose with my tongue...although some might not consider that a useful talent…
What's the best advice anyone's ever given you?
“Always consider the consequences of your actions.” My Dad has always said to me and my brothers that this is one of the most important things to do. As humans, we inherently do stupid things and it can't always be helped if something goes wrong. But this advice has always made me think before I act and deters me from being selfish as well.
What’s the best way a teacher can help a student to Shine?
Positive reinforcement and general support in what they want to do, giving the best advice that they feel is applicable to the student's needs. A teacher should never lie to a student. They should never allow them to think that they are better than they are, because they become lazy and tend to boast. Instead, a teacher should allow a student to see the ways in which to make themselves better.
