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 | Historical BackgroundSword work has a tradition that has been passed on from master to student. My fencing master is Roland Von Zopf, originally from Austria. He has a rich history of teaching theatrical fencing and sport fencing in Australia for 40 years. He has been involved with the Australian Opera; teaching, choreographing and performing various plays. He participates as fight director and/or performer in musical societies. He has been involved in numerous T.V. productions ranging from documentaries to commercials. There are yearly Scottish and English festivals which bring together Rolland's sword combatants and our Swordplay troupe to participate in and share the fun experience. |
From this history I bring forward my own experience of 33 years of training
European Martial Arts & Stage Combat
- 15 years in association with Rolland for Theatrical Fencing and Sport Fencing
- Proficient in Rapier, Dagger, Case of Rapier, Broadsword, Quarter Staff, Sword and Buckler, Cloak and Dagger.
- Stage Combat - Knaps for stage and safe distance for stage fighting. Unarmed fighting for stage.
1990 State Championships Novice Foil Bronze
2000 State Championships Open Foil 8th place
2000 National Championships Masters 3rd place
2002 World Championships Participant
International Accreditations & Workshops
- Accredited in the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) for:
Huttons Sabre (High Silver Level)
Case of Rapier (Gold Level)
- 2006 Participated for 2 weeks in Italy at the Brancaleoni Castle in a Fight Director Work shop and Single Weapon Certification run by Young Blood and hosted by Scuola Brancaleoni. Trained under an international faculty of Fight Directors.
Faculty included: Tony Wolf (New Zealand), Jonathan Howell (Britain), Tim Klotz (England), Daniel Levinson (Canada) and Tina Robinson (Denmark).
- As part of the Fight Director Course I choreographed fight scenes from Shakespeare, mass battles involving actor/combatants from around the world set in and around an Italian castle and grounds. 2 on 1 fights, Using quarterstaff, rapier, buckler, dagger, and unarmed.
- 2006 Competed in the Torneo Capo Ferro competition at the end of the Brancaleoni course against 13 other performances. Judged by Ran Arthur Braun Artistic Director of Scuola Brancaleoni, The Mayor of Piobbico, The Greco Family (A family of many generations of fighters) and other dignitaries. Awarded equal 3rd with a Case of Rapier fight. Partner Kathleen Kennedy.
- Member of the Order Of The Sword and Pen, having attended the 14th Paddy Crean conference on Historical Fencing 2004. Sword masters from all over the world came to share and pass on their knowledge. Subjects taught at the convention were: highlighting historical fighting and performance, Italian Rapier duelling, history of European blade techniques, works of the old masters and how they relate to modern techniques and creating choreography based on various martial styles.
- Involved with Atlas Sports Club, training a fight team to re-enact a Greek story called the Polydarmus.
The story tells of a Greek soldier captured by a Persian army. The Persian king challenged the soldier to defeat his best three men to obtain his freedom. The fight scene is three on one multiple attack involving a sword, a pike, a knife and chain, falling, punching, kicking and throwing tecniques.
This team I worked with came second in the National Pankreation games 2004 and third in the World Pankreation Games 2004.
I am one of only two Instructors to hold a Black Belt in International Pankreation for Weapons Instruction.
Drama Experience
- 5 years of Drama training, accredited Theatre Sports teacher.
- 2 years as part of a performance troupe under Richard Hayes Marshell
- Studied acting for camera through Reactor at Fox Studios
- 2 years at Drama Action Centre training under Peter Hall Certified in:- Universal Mask
- Improvisation
- Dance
- Clown
- Story
- Playback Theatre
- Leadership & Teaching Skills
- Sociodrama and Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. Boal Theatre involved; Invisible Theatre, Forum Theatre, Status Theatre and Newspaper Theatre. Boal's aim is to try and change the audience from being spectators/observers into subjects/activists.
Sociodrama is investigating and exploring social systems, cultures, conflicts, war and office politics and from fashion to homelessness. It is an inclusive form of the 'Theatre of Truth'. It focuses on relevant social themes and issues.
- Starting in 2000 at William Carey Christian School I commenced 2 years of voluntary work creating the three year drama curriculum.
Followed by five years of employment at William Carey Christian School teaching the drama techniques as listed below and sword work as part of that curriculum.
Annually choreographing 100 children for their year 6 graduation performance.
Subjects taught at W.C.C.S include:Movement and Improvisation - overcoming fears, group dynamics exploring space and awareness of others, building trust.
Clowning - developing a clown character, exploring perceptions with have of ourselves and the world around us, moving with impulses and developing a sense of clown community.
Neutral Mask - By taking away the voice and facial expressions we explore the language of our body, a look at mime and gesture and abstract ideas, a creative and imaginative process for story telling in physical movement.
Storytelling - The art of story telling through voice tone, eye contact, expression, engaging the audience to preserve history, poems, tales, legends, understanding the roles of narrator and characters.
Playback Theatre - a powerful form of non scripted theatre, creating the atmosphere of trust and the sharing of stories from the audience, actors re-enact peoples stories with truth and honour, exploring the role of the musician to support the work creating mood with sound effects through percussion instruments.
Theatre Sports - Another form of non scripted theatre, this has a history in Australia and the world. Teams compete for audience approval to become the best. We have in Australia the Cranston Cup which is a very popular entertaining format. Skills needed are quick thinking and total trust in your fellow performers.
Leadership course - looking at gifts and qualities individuals have and encouraging young students to develop and bring those gifts to their groups. In this term they develop a small workshop to teach to fellow students, identifying tasks and programming risk assessments then teaching and implementing the workshop. Students discover their leadership qualities which is desirable for good results in life.
Theatrical Fencing - Understanding safety issues, learning basic fencing movements, attack and defence positions, footwork, safe distance, appreciating mental alertness, physical fitness, co-operation. Producing a very short choreographed fight sequence and then the students watch classic and modern fight scenes from films to appreciate the skills needed.
Eastern Martial Arts
- 5 years of Judo
Capable to throw from various positions and break fall safely, unarmed grappling and rolls
- 7 years of Tae Kwon Do under Rhee Tae Kwon Do
Learnt movement patterns or Kartas for the understanding of blocks and defence, unarmed combat and sparring, testing the mind and ability in the breaking of wooden blocks and tiles with various parts of the body eg. hands, feet, elbows
- Competing at various tournaments to consolidate the work and be tested under different conditions.
- Over 3 years of studying the art of the Japanese sword
This involved training with a Wooden Bokken for cutting actions of the sword and movement Kartas.
Shini - A bamboo sword. This weapon is used to train attack and defence movements with partners. This weapon was also used in training twice monthly in the sparring exercises with full armour. We tested our attack and defence more literally. This is excellent training for reflexes and appreciation of drills.
The study of Iaido was also practised with a blunt metal sword. This gave a more realistic feel of the weight of the sword, the practise of drawing the sword with intent to attack and defend and sheathing it using a weapon that is un-edged. This is recommended before using an edged weapon.
- Haidong Gumdo Korean Sword Art
Ranked 1st Dan Black Belt in The World Haidong Gumdo Federation
Haidong Gumdo simply translates into East Sea Swordsmanship. However there is more to the meaning it refers to the east sun light and energy , speaking of the mental and physical approach to swordsmanship and ‘Do’ the path you take. Students first use a ‘Mokkom’ wooden sword to learn precise balance, movements and body positions in attack and defence through Gum Bup or sword form. ‘Tan Jun’ Breathing techniques for strength and mental control. Candle cutting - to bring the sword down to extinguish out the candles requires control of the blade, focus of mind and breath control. Other elements of this sword art are interactive & combative attack and defence manoeuvres using a ‘Chukdo’ or bamboo sword. At higher levels students use a ‘Kakom’ blunt metal sword for fruit cutting and the drawing and sheathing of the sword. When truly proficient at black belt level a ‘Chinkom’ an edged blade is used to cut through bamboo of various thicknesses. Exhibiting extreme control and technique.
Requirements for Black Belt grading are:- Knowledge of all Gum Bup from white to black belt
- Attack and Defence drills with a partner
-Cutting Drills which are for cutting at correct angles, different directions and the footwork needed for live Blade Cutting
- Correct Sparring drills for combat sparring wearing armour
- Extinguishing of the candle through correct cutting and footwork on multiple candle stands
- Endurance Requirements; 150 overhead cutting and jumping, push ups, dive rolling over a thigh high pole onto mats to show this ability
- Black Belt Gum Bup had a left and right roll in it which we performed on wooden floors without mats.
Studying Haidong Gumdo helps me to reflect on my inner thoughts, responces and approach to life, it enhances movement knowledge of this combative style. Sparring with and without armour helps me to apply all knowledge under pressure.
My Master, who is a 5th Degree Black Belt from Korea, encourages me to use all sword styles I know when we sparr together. So that conventional attacks and non-conventional attacks help us both to explore swordsmanship.
Historical Significance
Since the commencement of the Sydney School in 2005, I am the only original starting date student to complete grading from White belt through to Black belt.
