Virgile Finet, Swordmaster

Translated from a French article: © Le Télégramme https://www.letelegramme.fr/morbihan/vannes/1944-2014-70-ans-de-d-escrime-a-vannes-16-06-2014-10214548.php#xBEjOwrucUwj11Lh.99 

 

Fascinated by fencing he has been practicing from the age of 13, Virgile Finet quickly begins to supervise the young people of his club, in Champagne, where he is from. The young man chose to study sports to become a Physical Education (PE) teacher while continuing to take the federal fencing degrees. "My intention was to become an PE teacher, while being a fencing master at a club. But I discovered during my studies that it was possible to turn my passion into a profession and become a full-time fencing master in a club." The student, living in Burgundy, embarks on the national fencing master sandwich course to earn his state diploma.

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Master of techniques and values

 

In fencing, the coach is a master. Master of three weapons: épée, foil and sabre. Finding a full-time position at a club is an opportunity that Virgile Finet seized in 2011, settling with his family in Vannes. "I give 20 hours of classes within the club and I also intervene in recreation centers and schools where I offer an introduction to the pupils." The coach, who is called master by the youngest, is not only a transmitter of techniques. "I attach great importance to the values that fencing must also convey. It is above all values of respect for the master, the opponent, the referee and oneself. I also want mutual assistance between the players. Fencing is an individual sport, but I want there to be a collective ambition within the club". "En garde!", "Êtes-vous prêt?" "Allez!" "Halte!" : The fight is launched in French, even at the international level, where the language of Molière is official. Each phrase d'arme [Translator's note: sequence of fencing movements] is translated by the referee by a code of signs specific to the discipline where the good gesture also passes by the elegance.