Patricia Aiyenuro

“Breaking barriers around the world means you leave a mark on this ever changing world that we live in. You are forced to challenge ignorance and build bridges where you never thought possible. Making a small difference will help towards making the world a more fair and safer place”

Patricia Aiyenuro

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British Empire Medal (BEM) honour, Chair of Camden Fencing Club, First black female to be elected on the British Fencing Board, Team Manager at British Fencing and Senior Scientific Officer. Tireless and enthusiastic Patricia strives for best

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Accomplishments

With the passion ever growing, Patricia has been involved in the sport of fencing for over 17 years and counting, starting out as a team manager for the Under 15, Under 17 and Under 20 Great Britain (GBR) Sabre Team, traveling to various European competitions. Exceling in her role, Patricia soon was promoted to managing the under 17 and 20 British team across all fencing weapons. Liked across all the weapons with athletes and staff alike, recognised by British Fencing, Patricia had yet been promoted again as the senior lead team manager. Incredibly the accomplishments keep coming and coming, having been the first black woman to be elected onto the board of British Fencing. Along with the traveling and working with athletes and staff across the country, Patricia has always been a strong helper of her community also. To make something global of yourself, of course you have to start somewhere in your community and Patricia has tirelessly helped many people of any age in Camden for a number of years and continues to do so. The contributions and services to sport in Camden definitely didn’t go unnoticed as of 2017 Patricia was awarded the honour of the British Empire Medal (BEM). The story of the multi talented, enthusiastic and loving woman still continues with many more achievements been made in her career. Its true to say Patricia is a real definition and perfect role model of being global.

Gains & Guidence

In 2015 Camden Fencing Club was taken over by Patricia who has since taken the already established club to new heights, becoming one of the UK’s most successful charity and community based clubs. Her amazing organisation and business skills lead Patricia into being involved in a very successful international circuit competition hosted by the Camden Fencing Club, The GLL Camden International Sabre Cadet Competition which is held at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park. As well as being involved in the event management, Patricia recruited and organised a large team of referees, armourers and volunteers, dealt with branding and publicity, fund-raising, and liaising with visiting teams, and managed budgets and payments. This established competition has welcomed athletes from over 19 different countries to the UK and for dozens of our young fencers it was their first step into international competition, and an inspirational and motivational experience. Not only has she organised such a high level event in Europe, the inspirational woman assisted Nigerian Fencing with the development of fencing within Nigeria which In 2018 she was on the organising committee of the first ever African Fencing Championships to be held in Nigeria. Where over 22 different African countries took part. Further to this In 2019 she had taken part in a programme to bring fencing to over 10,000 young people at grass roots level through schools in Lagos and thereby helping with the development of fencing within Nigeria.

Patricia’s various management roles have given her the opportunity to travel with the squad to world cup events around the globe, and ultimately to manage the whole GB team in all disciplines at World and European Championships, gained the respect and trust of generations of athletes, coaches and parents globally, as well as building close relationships with personal, national and international coaches.

Leader

Patricia has prided herself on her fairness and impartiality, and believes that the respectful and trusting environment created as a team manager is essential to future success.

passionate about inclusivity and equity in sport Patricia targets a wider community by aiming to start up programs that will boost the numbers of under-represented groups in fencing. These programmes will give adults and children from BAME community’s unprecedented access to fencing. It is fair to say Patricia is one in a million, with so much responsibility weighted on her shoulders, including being a mother of 2, the words inspiration, ambition, and leader could not be defined by a better person.