Violet has sights set on Olympics with fencing success
Thu, 11 December 2025
Violet Griffiths, a sports student at Tameside College, celebrates achievements after success in national fencing competitions.
Violet, who began fencing in 2023 and entered their first competitions in September 2024, has now taken part in around 30 competitions and secured an impressive 15 medals.
Due to their successes, Violet has also been accepted onto the prestigious GB fencing pathway. The programme gives promising athletes access to Team GB coaches, training camps and advanced development, aiming to prepare them for the Olympics and other international competitions.
Violet is now ranked 30th in juniors nationwide for fencing and has competed in prestigious events including the under 23 national championships 2024, British Youth Championships and the British Open. At the British Youth Championships, Violet placed 9th, even competing against members of the GB Olympics squad.
After discovering fencing in 2023 via a local historical sword skills group, Violet was intrigued by the sport’s need for tactical skill and quick thinking. They then decided to join Ashton Fencing Club, who encouraged them to compete.
In the future, Violet hopes to break into the top four nationally to qualify for the British Olympics squad and compete internationally, before eventually progressing into professional coaching.
Violet said: “I’m hoping to get qualified and achieve my GB patches. Keeping the mental strength and tactical awareness is important and there’s a lot of cardio involved, so it’s a big commitment. The mental reward is amazing and the idea of reaching the Olympics would be incredible. It doesn’t matter if you’re not so good at a sport currently, it’s the training and dedication that will give you success in the end. It just takes that commitment to achieve.”
Tracey Hobson, sports teacher at Tameside College, said: “Violet’s achievements are extraordinary, especially in such a short time. Their commitment, discipline and ambition reflect what the college instils in all of its students. We are incredibly proud of their progress and excited to see what the future holds for them.”
To find out more about sport courses at Tameside College, visit the college website www.tameside.ac.uk or call 0161 908 6600.