In just under two years since its inception, the ACG Parnell Fencing Club has accomplished what many might have deemed impossible – taking out the Northern Secondary School Girls Foil Team Championship for 2025 and securing a place at the New Zealand Secondary School Fencing Team Championships in Christchurch this August. Led by Year 9 student and Team Captain Joan Si Yu Lee, the team’s recent victory has not only etched ACG Parnell’s name into the prestigious Invictus Cup (previously dominated solely by Diocesan School since 2021) but has also signalled the arrival of a new force in competitive school fencing.
A Rapid Rise
Established at the start of 2024, the ACG Parnell Fencing Club is already turning heads in the fencing community. Under the expert guidance of four-time Hungarian Foil Champion Judit Fliszar and New Zealand representative fencer Rory Ogg, the club’s rapid development has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Girls Team made an impressive debut in the 2024 C Division of the Northern Secondary School Championships, with a slightly different line-up. This year’s team – Joan Si Yu Lee (Year 9), Catherine Yao (Year 8), Olivia Xia (Year 10), and newcomer Wenying Situ (Year 12), stepped up to the A Division and clinched a decisive and inspiring victory.
A Championship Decided by Grit
The final match saw the ACG Parnell team face off against Epsom Girls Grammar, who had defeated the long-reigning Diocesan School in an earlier round of the competition. The deciding bout came down to Joan, who fenced against a formidable opponent – a Commonwealth Games representative and much taller and more experienced fencer.
“I needed to put down all my unnecessary worries and believe I could push past my limits,” says Joan. “My teammates believed in me and kept cheering, regardless of whether I won or lost a point. I felt supported, and that I had nothing to lose but to go for it.” With that mindset and a display of remarkable composure, Joan led her team to a thrilling and historic win.
Leadership Beyond Years
At just 13 years old, Joan has proven to be a natural leader. Despite the team members training across different venues and only coming together for the first time on competition day, Joan’s strategic planning and communication ensured they were united by a shared purpose.
“My approach to leadership was to understand everyone’s strengths and styles and to build team spirit,” she says. “I wanted everyone to know we had each other’s backs – and we did.”
A Whole-School Triumph
The win has sparked pride throughout the ACG Parnell community. Teachers, friends, and families have rallied behind the team, celebrating their grit, talent, and unity. Even more exciting is that this win was not a one-off: the team has now qualified to compete at the New Zealand Secondary School Fencing Team Championships in August.
Meanwhile, the Boys Team also competed in Division A and came away with a well-deserved bronze medal – a testament to the depth of talent now developing at the school.
Eyes on Nationals
With just two months to prepare (and a three-week school break in between), the team is once again laser-focused on training, strategy, and mental readiness.
“We’ll keep learning, training, and most importantly, believing in each other,” says Joan.
A Message to Future Fencers
To younger students inspired by the team’s success, Joan offers this simple yet powerful advice: “Dare to dream – but most importantly, work to make it happen.”
As ACG Parnell looks to nationals, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling fencing legacy.
