In April 2025, I was approached by Avery, Participation Officer from Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) in regard to an opportunity being offered by GAMEON, a weekly programme on JOY49.9 radio based in Melbourne that focuses on LGBTQI inclusion in sports.  The producer of GAMEON Jacqueline Shield was curating a photographic exhibition to celebrate inclusion in sports across Australia. 

It is such an honour to be included in the Sports with Pride and Joy, and this is a first for fencing in Australia being included in a group show of this calibre.  I attended the opening night on Thursday 14th August at Vic Pride Centre, met several people who are intrigued about fencing and to have my photograph among other great photographers in the community is absolutely tremendous.

Most people had no idea that you can learn fencing in Australia but this dialogue seems to quite common in the wider community.  Therefore, it was a great opportunity for me to talk about the sport while engaging with the people at the opening.  I spoke to several people who have watched fencing at the Olympics over the years and ar very curious about the sport.  I think I have given the sport justice by keeping people engaged when I talked about the supportive community and how my fencing photography has also found a fan base within the fencing community over the last 3 yrs. 

I also elaborated on the idea that while I fence very primitively, some win and even more lost, but my focus with participation in the sport put me in the right position to photograph events across the country as well as build content for the Fencing Sport Photography website and associated platforms.  There is no other way to build content than getting involved 100%.

Sport with Pride and Joy
6th August – 22nd September 2025
Vic Pride Centre 79-81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182

Photo shot by Jacqueline Shields (Curator and Producer of GameOn)