Coaching Staff

Darren  Marks  (Head Coach):  Initially trained under French Maestro Francois Rodeur at Toronto's Salle Rodeur Fencing Club and was a nationally ranked foillist.  Among the athletic awards earned  includes an University of Oxford Full Bue.  He founded the  Stratford location in 2009 and sits on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Fencing Association. Dr. Marks competes as a foillist nationally and internationally when able, and sometimes referees when asked politely. When not in the fencing club or piste, he can be found as a Professor at Western University. He is a past President of the Ontario Fencing Assocation.

Robyn Godfrey (Beginner Coach) got interested in fencing when her karate class was cancelled and fencing was the only other sport that would fit into her study schedule at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She and a colleague began the Nunavut Fencing Association, still in its  infancy when work took her to Stratford, Ontario. In 2010 Robyn began competing, and coaching after obtaining her Community Instructor Certificate.  She competes when her day-job allows, and is keeping up with the youngsters to the best of her ability. When not fencing, Robyn can be found at the Stratford Public Library, where she designs and delivers interactive programs for grown-ups and the young at heart.

Gareth Marks ​(Elite Coach). Gareth is a member of the Cadet Men's Team for Team Canada, currently studying Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. Gareth trains the newest generation of SFO fencers, the pre-elite and elite athletes, hand-picked by the coaching staff in order to fast-track their fencing careers.

Joshua McGuire (Competitive Team Coach) is Canada's most recent two time Olympian in foil (2004, 2008).  A former World Champion in the cadet category and the most lauded Canadian foillist of the past decades, Josh brings keen tactical and international experience to our club.  He is also an international level referee who is often at World Cups and Championships.