Onguard!
Onguard!
August 03, 2006
Section: Sport
Sharpening her skills
Siobhan Butler is making a name for herself in the sport of fencing
THREE years ago Siobhan Butler became interested in the sport of fencing after watching her dad Scott competing. She was only eight at the time but immediately showed all the aplomb of a veteran.
It was one of those things that was just meant to be. She had it all a good listener, amazing concentration, judgement and discipline, and one of the most essential weapons of them all to reach the top in this sport& sharp reflexes.
After a year or so of learning the trade, the now 11yearold Year 6 Thirroul Public School student commenced competition and her achievements came at a fast rate of knots.
In 2005 she either finished 1st or 2nd in every event she contested, and later that year won the Victorian and NSW State titles.
This year under new coach Jeff Gray, she has performed even better - winning the State School Championship and followed that up with gold medals at the NSW and Queensland State titles - contesting the U 13 age group against older opponents. She was then selected for a NSW U15 team as the highest ranked competitor and finished 3rd in the teams event. Individually, she was unlucky to come 13th at the nationals in the U15 age group, competing against older girls.
Besides her love for fencing, the Thirroul resident says she enjoys tap dancing and would like to travel the world, gaining experience and competing against the best of the best.