Club Achievements
A history of our awards and medals
Achievements
Please see our Dutch page for a historical record of SchermCentrum Amsterdam’s awards and medals on a National, International, and Olympic level.
Club History
Over 15 years of fencing together
Club History
SchermCentrum Amsterdam is the largest and most engaged club in the Netherlands. It was founded officially in 2005, when two historical Amsterdam Fencing Clubs, Zaal van Oeveren and En Garde, fused together to create a larger fencing association. The club continued to grow in size when, in 2017, Fencing Associations RANA merged with SCA to make SchermCentrum Amsterdam the modern club it is today.
Thanks to the merging of three historical fencing clubs, SCA, while technically a young club, benefits from a mixture of new and experienced fencers, coaches, and referees across all ages.
Three Historical Clubs Became One
ASV Zaal van Oeveren
Founded in 1971 by Maître Ruud van Oeveren, ASV Zaal van Oeveren has a long history of dedicated and passionate fencers performing at the highest level in Dutch Fencing. ASV Zaal van Oeveren trained at the Bep van der Pol Hall in the Frans Otten Stadion (FOS), where SCA continues to train to this day.
ASV En Garde
Founded by Maître Bertram Bouthoorn, ASV En Garde has raised many Dutch National and Junior Champions. After Maître Bertram Bouthoorn’s retirement, En Garde looked to merge with another club, leading to today’s SchermCentrum Amsterdam.
SV Rana
Founded by Maître Boudewijn Mooren, a student of Maître Ruud van Oeveren, SV Rana was known for training talented junior fencers, and merged with Schermcentrum Amsterdam in 2017.
Fencing FAQ
Fencing FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you can find a list of FAQs. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Fencing is a modern combat sport that combines the athleticism of martial arts with the mental & competitive focus of chess. The three disciplines of modern fencing are Épée, Foil, and Sabre. Fencing is one of the few sports to be featured in every single modern Olympic Games. It’s a challenging sport that will help you improve your coordination, focus, explosivity, and stamina. It’s also a fun way to make new friends! Come try fencing with us!
- It is a great physical workout and stress release
- Improves your physical and cognitive abilities, as well as full body coordination
- Increases your mental focus & agility
- Gives you a chance to meet new friends
- It teaches essential life skills, such as self-confidence, discipline, and perseverance
Yes! Fencing statistically is one of the safest sports you can do. Safety is an absolute priority in the fencing sport. Fencing weapons are light, flexible and blunt. Fencers wear protective clothing such as a vest, mask and glove whenever fencing or practicing together.
Also, every fencer is instructed in important safety rules and is obliged to follow these rules at all times.
You need a pair of long sports bottoms, a t-shirt and indoor sports shoes. As a beginner, SCA will provide you fencing equipment at the club. However, we recommend you to purchase your own equipment after a few months.
The purpose of fencing is not to hurt your component. Because the weapons are blunt and extremely flexible, most attacks will not hurt. However, bruises can sometimes occur.
There are three weapons used in modern fencing: Foil, épée, and sabre. Each weapon has its own rules and strategies.
- Foil and épée are thrusting weapons, sabre is a cutting weapon.
- The valid target area for épée is the entire body, for sabre the upper body including arms and head and for foil the torso.
- In épée fencing whoever hits first scores the point, and if both fencers hit simultaneously they each score a point. In foil and sabre fencers there are rules to decide who scores the point in the case of a simultaneous hit.
You can train with each of the three weapons at SCA.
In spite of its reputation of being an elite sport, fencing is not as costly as many other sports. Beginning members only need to pay the monthly fee, and can borrow fencing equipment for free at SCA during the first few months. However, we advise you to purchase your own equipment later on.
Additional costs are dependent on a fencer’s level. Recreational fencers usually spend less on equipment than traveling fencers who take part in (inter)national competitions. In other words, fencing can be as expensive or inexpensive as you like it to be.
No, SCA does not expect you to become a competitive fencer. Fencers of all ages, experiences and ambitions are welcome at SCA. However, if you aspire to become a competitive career, we offer all facilities for reaching the top of the fencing sport.
SCA offers the facilities for fencers to grow to great heights. Aside from providing high quality training sessions through our coaches, SCA members are eligible to compete in regional and national tournaments (depending on ranking).
Fencers from SCA regularly compete at World Cups, European Championships, World Championships and even the Olympic Games. Both young and old SCA members have achieved many national titles and even claimed titles abroad.
You can learn more about out club’s achievements here.
Please go to our membership page for more information.
Safe Sport
Our Policy
Safe Sport
SCA attaches great importance to a positive climate in which everyone can play sports safely and with pleasure. Feeling safe in sports applies to both physical and mental safety. Everyone bears their own responsibility in this, whether you are a trainer, coach, athlete or parent/guardian.
Basic Requirements
All sports providers with a relationship with the municipality of Amsterdam meet the basic requirements to prevent misconduct. Our club ensures that:
- All coaches and mentors working with youth up to the age of 17 or other vulnerable groups have a Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag).
- All coaches and mentors sign the Code of Conduct for Social Safety of the municipality of Amsterdam.
- We have appointed Confidential Contact Persons (VCP), whose identities we disclose to our members.
Confidential Contact Persons (VCP) at SCA
SchermCentrum Amsterdam strives to prevent misconduct. For members who experience or witness misconduct, our association has Confidential Contact Persons (VCP). The VCP serves as an accessible first point of contact where you can confidentially report complaints about issues such as bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct. The VCP acts as the initial support for members (athletes, parents of athletes, spectators, coaches, volunteers, board members) with a complaint or question. Additionally, the VCP advises and encourages the association to take preventive measures.
The Confidential Contact Person will not personally handle the complaints but will guide you toward a proper resolution. The Confidential Contact Person is aware of the available resources for assistance and can inform you about procedures and possible next steps.
If you wish to have a confidential conversation about something that has happened to you and want to discuss it in confidence, please contact one of our Confidential Contact Persons.
Christien Muusse
One of SchermCentrum Amsterdam’s VCP’s is Christien Muusse. She is the mother of two youth fencers at SCA and is often present at youth tournaments. She is dedicated to creating a safe and healthy sporting environment for both young and old. Christien can be contacted via email or via phone 06 24 870 583.
Resham Newalsing
Another VCP at SchermCentrumAmsterdam is Resham Newalsing. Resham has been involved in fencing for decades and can often be seen at SCA, where he places great importance on the enjoyment of the sport. Resham can be contacted via email or via phone 06 10 284 005.
Contacts Outside SCA
There are also Confidential Contact Persons outside our association whom you can reach out to. This includes the fencing association KNAS and the Center for Safe Sports Netherlands (Centrum Veilige Sport Nederland). At the Center for Safe Sports Netherlands, there is also an option for completely anonymous contact. Below, you can read about how and where to get in touch.
Confidential Contact Person at KNAS
Confidential Contact Persons from the fencing association (KNAS) are accessible to all KNAS members and other involved individuals. You can contact them regarding personal dilemmas, unpleasant experiences, or any deviations from the standards, values, and norms in our sport. Conversations with a Confidential Contact Person are always confidential.
Contact: Confidential Contact Person | KNAS
Center for Safe Sports Netherlands
In collaboration with sports associations, NOC*NSF has established the Center for Safe Sports Netherlands. Here, you can ask questions or report incidents that may violate the rules, values, and norms in sports. These may include personal dilemmas or unpleasant experiences, as well as reporting misconduct by others. In a confidential conversation with a trusted person or advisor, you can discuss what troubles you and explore potential steps to address the issue. You always retain control over what happens with your story.
Contact: Center for Safe Sports Netherlands
For fully anonymous contact: SpeakUp
General Questions or Complaints
For general questions or comments, you can always reach out to SCA. We are committed to open and transparent communication.
If you have general questions or complaints, please contact secretaris@schermcentrumamsterdam.nl.
Our Safe Sport Policy
Athletes
From youth to veterans, it is important that we respect each other. We communicate with each other, not about each other. We do not tolerate bullying, and we respect each other’s individuality, opinions, and perspectives. These are all basic expectations.
Most importantly, we hold each other accountable for undesirable behaviour. If you notice something that doesn’t feel right, gather your courage and address it with the person involved. This is how we help each other create a safe sporting environment.
Trainers
Coaches not only teach skills in sports but, due to their long-term and intensive interaction, also play an important role in the upbringing of our athletes. Because of their role models, we have higher expectations for our coaches.
During training sessions, we expect our coaches to maintain a professional attitude and to be aware of their role as role models. SCA coaches must treat athletes, colleagues, and the association’s board respectfully. We expect our coaches not only to address undesirable behaviour in athletes but also among fellow coaches. Furthermore, we expect them to actively seek and provide information when a safe sporting environment is at risk. We also implement the “four-eye principle” during training sessions. For all SCA activities, at least two qualified members must be present, defined as trainers or board members. This ensures that no deliberately unsafe sports situations occur.
Parents & Guardians
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in the lives of our youth. The way they interact with each other and with children forms the foundation for our young athletes’ values. Therefore, we ask parents and caregivers to address undesirable behaviour with each other. It is also essential for parents and caregivers to allow trainers to conduct their training sessions and learning moments without disruption. The view from the stands can differ from what happens on the training floor. If you attend training sessions as a parent or caregiver, you should remain calm and not disrupt the training process.
Friends of SCA
Support Future Champions
Become a Friend of SCA
It is our mission to support fencers of all levels in the Amsterdam area to train without financial stress at our club at the Frans Otten Stadion.
Friends of SCA is a program where you can make an investment into the club to help our mission.
The Friends of SCA program helps us:
- Modernize our fencing materials so that we can provide all fencers in the club with the tools to train at a higher level
- Support youth fencers who, for structural reasons, are financially unable to train
- Enable our Top Fencers to perform their best internationally with professional coaching
How You Support the Friends of SCA Program
There are two levels of participation:
1) Become a Friend of SCA
- Give: A single donation of €250
- Receive: An invitation to an event organized by SCA
2) Become a Sponsor of SCA
- Give: Elect to become a Sponsor of SCA for three years. You will provide an annual financial support of €500
- Receive: An invitation to an event organized by SCA, and one fencing clinic (for up to 16 people) in the Frans Otten Stadion fencing hall given by one of the trainers and top fencers
Interested? Contact us
About SchermCentrum Amsterdam
Established in 2005
About SchermCentrum Amsterdam
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.
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
Eline Snoek
Eline 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 Eline 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.