A YEAR 8 student at Rivington and Blackrod High School has been selected for the Under 13 England squad for Sabre Fencing.
Nathaniel Fidler will be fencing with the team in the Challenge Wratislavia competition, in Poland, in March.
His proud mum, Jackie, says: "From an early age we thought Nathaniel had been around in a former era with his love for castles and historic battles, he never left the house without a toy sword in his hand.
“So when the opportunity arose at St David Haigh and Aspull Primary School to take part in a six-week fencing course as an extracurricular activity, Nathaniel jumped at the chance. After doing this every year for three years we found a local club in Rivington and he began fencing regularly in 2013.
“After a short time he won silver in his first regional competition and he’s not looked back since, finishing third at the under English Youth Championships and 2014 and seventh in the British Youth Championships last year.”
His results at various competitions during last year ranked him sixth in the country, which has secured his place to represent his country in Poland this March.
Nathaniel is passionate about the sport and travels two nights a week to Oldham for coaching and training at the Manchester Fencing Centre.