About Us

Priori Épée Fencing Club started in April 2006 as the newest project of provost Denis Fournier, who has been developing the sport of fencing in Alberta for almost 30 years and coaching athletes (fencers and pentathletes) from recreational to international competitive level. 

Priori comes from a Latin word which means “first, better, superior, excellent”.  At Priori, we firmly believe in the pursuit of excellence.  We are committed to develop the full potential of each athlete, taking into account their personal objectives and abilities.
Priori is the first club in Alberta specialized in épée, one of the three weapons of fencing. Epée is the most practiced discipline throughout the world.  The rules for scoring in épée are the simplest for the layman and least subjective from a referee point of view.

Specializing supports excellence in these ways:

• fencers get to train with more partners
  
• the coach can concentrate better in the development of the fencers
  
• stronger feeling of camaraderie arises among fencers
  
• time, schedules and programs are managed better
  
• fencers have easier access to club’s equipment (scoring machines)
  
• performance results are greatly superior

At Priori, we believe that participants have the right to:

• be treated with dignity by all involved.
  
• fence regardless of skill level.
  
• fence in a safe and healthy environment.
  
• have equal opportunity to strive for success.
  
• have fun fencing.

Fencing is good for people of all ages, and especially for children and young adults.  Fencing is a fun sport that teaches good sportsmanship and self-discipline.  Fencers learn to compete independently as well as for a team; they learn to be humble in both winning and defeat, while becoming physically fit and healthy; and, most importantly, they learn to make complex decisions, analyze problems, and think fast. 

Coaches