SchermCentrum Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest and most successful fencing club. But we're about more than just winning medals. SCA is a club made up by its passionate trainers and members of all ages and levels.
We put extra effort into making sure that anyone can have a safe and fun fencing experience. We also work hard to give all club members the opportunity to meet, train, and have fun with each other.
Joining SCA means:
- Receiving high quality training for all levels of fencing
- Having access to all fencing weapons- Épée, Foil, Sabre
- Meeting new friends!
Meet our Trainers
SchermCentrum Amsterdam’s trainers are some of the most award-winning in the Netherlands. We are proud to provide the highest quality of fencing coaching in all three weapons, Épée, Foil, and Sabre. Meet our trainers:
Matthijs Rohlfs
One of the most accredited fencers in the Netherlands, Matthijs is 9 times Dutch National Champion,with many more international competitions under his belt. Matthijs is a coach for the Dutch National Fencing Team, and has also coached Saskia van Erven Garcia during the 2012 London Olympics. He has been coaching since 2005, and completed the Maître d’Escrime training (fencing teacher level 4). Matthijs loves all facets of the sport and believes that fun and passion are the foundation for all fencers, both recreational and professional.
Matthijs also gives company trainings, fencing workshops and private lessons for companies and individuals through his own company, Rohlfs Training & Coaching.
Daniël Nivard
Daniel is a multi-medaled fencer at the Dutch Championships and Junior Champions, having fenced since the age of 11. He has been coaching at SCA since 2008, where he has been training SCA fencers at all levels and ages in foil and sabre. Daniel is a coach on the Dutch National Team, and coached Saskia van Erven Garcia during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Daniel is founder and owner of DNCoaching, through which he gives private fencing workshops to schools, groups, and individuals.
Arash Sheikh
Having started fencing at the age of 10, Arash has won the sabre national championships in both the Netherlands and Iran, and has competed and won additional trophies on an international level for both the Dutch and Iranian National Teams. Arash has been a Sabre Coach since 2017, and is a coach of the Dutch National Sabre Team.
Rezk Nawar
Rezk is a multi-medalled Épéeist, including gold medals at the Arab Championships, Dutch Veterans Championships, and silver medals at the World Veterans Championships and African Championships. With a career of over 40 years in fencing, Rezk brought his experience to SCA as Épée Coach in 2020, where he trains and works with fencers on all ages and levels.
Dirk Jan van Egmond
Dirk is a Dutch National Champion and current member of the Dutch National Team, competing both individually and with the team on an international level. Dirk is an Assistant Coach at SCA, providing support to the coaches during trainings.
Elise Butin Bik
As a foil fencer, Elise has been Dutch Youth Champion with the Cadets and Juniors, she has represented The Netherlands seven times at European and World Youth Championships and is part of the National Team. She has been assisting and teaching fencing since the age of 12, after which she obtained her teaching diploma level 3 (in 2021).
The SCA Board
Schermcentrum Amsterdam is built for fencers, by fencers. All board members of SCA are passionate, active fencers. If you have any suggestions on how to make our club even better, please reach out to us!
Peter Sorber
Peter leads the association and is the main representative of SCA. If you have questions regarding SCA policies, please contact Peter at voorzitter@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
Emile Spek
Emile takes care of the association’s contracts and financial affairs. He focuses on SCA’s financial health. For questions concerning finances, please contact Emile at penningmeester@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
Jane Dmitrova
Jane administers the membership file and checks memberships and payments. Questions concerning membership registration or cancellation should be addressed to Jane at leden@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
Heleen Schipperheijn
Heleen is responsible for organising and coordinating additional activities for the SCA junior members. For questions or ideas you can contact Heleen at jeugd@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
Chiara Bortot
Chiara is in charge of newsletters, arranging events for the association, and taking minutes during board meetings. For all your general questions or suggestions for the fencing association, please contact Chiara at secretaris@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
Paulina Kats
Paulina is our PR and Communications lead. You can contact her for any communications-related enquiries at pr@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl
The History of SCA
The SchermCentrum Amsterdam of today is the result of Amsterdam fencing associations Zaal van Oeveren, En Garde, and SVA Rana joining and continuing together under the name of SchermCentrum Amsterdam (SCA). Learn more about the history here.
Club Achievements
SchermCentrum Amsterdam’s history record of awards and medals.
Club History
SchermCentrum Amsterdam has existed as a fencing club for over 15 years.
Fencing FAQ
SchermCentrum Amsterdam answers frequently asked questions about fencing and fencing in Amsterdam.