Australian College of Arms

Preparations for Swordplay 13 are under way. Here is the essential information about this year’s event.

Start planning your work leave, holidays and start practicing!

Date: 9-11 August 2013

Venue: Baden Powell Scout Park Samford (treed area adjacent swimming pool – Boys Field) with large pavilion tent erected. Wet weather plan is to use Samford Valley Community Centre, Samford.

Accommodation for inter-staters organised for the Provindore Cabin (12 pers approx) for total $55 for weekend (Thursday evening through to Sunday).

Cost: $20 per day. Payment can be direct deposited to:

Program: The program is confirmed.

Registration Form and Waiver: All participants must send us a completed registration form. Anyone wishing to enter the Skill-at-Arms will require their Registration Form to arrive no-later-than 2 August 2013 to allow Tournament Bouts to be developed. Otherwise registration to take part in all activities excluding Skill-at-Arms is available on the day.

Workshops: The opportunity exists for anyone to present material of interest to the swordplay community on the Friday afternoon. The workshops currently registered include:

• Halbschwert (Marxbruders Guild)
• Use of the after-blow in Longsword Tournaments (Collegium in Armis)
• Sword & Buckler for Beginners (Australian College of Arms)

Skill-at-Arms: This event is fundamentally about combat. The prime focus is to allow for social bouting against people who may only meet once per year or else as part of an annual tournament framework.

Please read the Skill-at-Arms in a Nutshell guide and the full Skill-at-Arms rules.

Tournaments: All Saturday afternoon is given over to other Schools to run a tournament of choice.

• The School of Historical Defensive Arts (SHDA) will run two rapier tournaments concentrating on historical technique. Please read the tournament rules here.
• EDAS is running a cane fighting competition
• Collegium in Armis is running a longsword tournament according to historical Franco-Belgian Guild rules.

Waster War: This is a new concept for Swordplay – a team-based waster melee using various scenarios such as hold the bridge, capture the flag and others. The emphasis here is one safe fun.

The ACA will have a supply of wasters available. Participants will be required to have their own three-weapon fencing mask and some type of padded garment to take part

Look forward to seeing everyone later this year!

Swordplay 12 ran three tournaments: rapier, sword (sidesword, arming sword, cut-and-thrust), and longsword. On top of this, was the Skill-at-Arms tourney which pitted the winners of the three tournaments against each other armed only with their winning weapons.

There were over 40 competitors and more than 97 individual bouts fought over three days. Congratulations and thanks to all who entered.

Swordplay 12 Winners

Justin Vaughn (ACA), Dave Kent (GLECA), Ross D (ACA), Mark Edmonds (Kingsley Swords), Mark Baker (SCA), Paul Wagner (Stoccata)

Skill-at-Arms Champion 2012

The Skill-at-Arms Champion for 2012: Justin Vaughn (ACA)

The Skill-at-Arms Tournament is for the final four place getters from the other tournaments. In this competition, they now face each other with whatever weapon they used to win their place in the other competitions and fight it out according to the same bout system until a single ‘Champion for 2012’ remains.

Rapier Tournament

Justin Vaughn (ACA)	Mark Baker (SCA)	Paul Wagner (Stoccata)	Ross D (ACA)

Sword Tournament

Justin Vaughn (ACA)	Mark Edmonds (Kingsley Swords)	Mark Baker (SCA)	Shannon Walker (GLECA)

Longsword Tournament

Paul Wagner (Stoccata)	Justin Vaughn (ACA)	Mark Edmonds (Kingsley Swords)	Dave Kent (GLECA)

After much delay I’ve managed to get all the finals bouts from the Swordplay 12 tournament up on line.

Skill at Arms Final

Justin (Blue/ Rapier & Dagger) vs Ross (Red /Rapier & Dagger)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQp1V3Xmu5Q

Justin (Red/ Rapier and Dagger) vs Mark (Blue/ Rapier & Dagger)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj4PxmugXRc

Ross (Blue / Rapier & Dagger) vs Paul (Longsword)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktoIIn328uM

Mark (Blue /Sword and Buckler) vs Dave (Red / Longsword)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1jhBBD_Lng

Mark (Red/ Rapier and Dagger) vs Paul (Blue / Longsword)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXEcGHuzjVE

Ross (Blue/ Rapier & Dagger) vs Shannon (Red / Sword and Dagger)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT2PWhyhrWI

Justin (Red / Rapier & Dagger) vs Dave (Blue / Longsword)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCgqvZdwG5s

Longsword Finals

Dave (Blue) vs Justin (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCwqx7WByIk

Dave (Blue) vs Paul (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzBTvQMOvyI

Mark (Blue) vs Justin (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09y1a1rZFc

Mark (Blue) vs Paul (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAUwMyHfT9I

Sword Finals

Sword and Companion

Mark (Red/ SCA) vs Mark (Blue/ Knightly Swords)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-asIxwh5fdQ

Justin (Red) vs Shannon (Blue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIviko8l8TM

Sword Alone

Mark (Red) vs Shannon (Blue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-xhB5I4P98

Mark (Blue) vs Justin (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeckB9LBcxo

Rapier Finals

Rapier & Companion

Paul (Red) vs Justin (Blue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzpvI0Mjs8c

Mark (Red) vs Ross (Blue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lym70XUQX3I

Rapier alone

Mark (Red) vs Paul (Blue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmgTLzkw_BY

Justin (Blue) vs Ross (Red)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx1u7wdQwSc

300fps Compliation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSm2xazfn6M

Preparations for Swordplay 12 are in full swing. So you can start planning your work leave, holidays and start practicing, here the essential information about this year’s event.

Date: 7th – 9th September 2012

Venue: Baden Powell Scout Park Samford (treed area adjacent swimming pool – Boys Field ) with large pavilion tent erected. Inclement weather plan based on Ferny Grove High School Auditorium.

Accommodation for inter-staters organised for the Provindore Cabin (12 pers approx) and the Pack Holiday Shelter (28 pers approx.) for total $55 for weekend (Thursday evening through to Sunday).

Guest Presenter: Puck Curtis presenting La Destreza Spanish swordplay.

Cost:

• Friday – $60 for the day
• Saturday & Sunday – $30 per day (spectators free)
• Appointed Skill-at-Arms Officials & workshop presenters have free admission on the day they perform their duty
• Payment can be direct deposited to:
  

  Australian Defence Credit Union – BSB No: 802-397

  Australian College of Arms – Acct No: 646960

Program: The program is confirmed.

Registration Form and Waiver: All participants must send us a completed registration form. Anyone wishing to enter the Skill-at-Arms will require their Registration Form to arrive no-later-than 31st August 2012 to allow Tournament Bouts to be developed; otherwise registration to take part in all activities excluding Skill-at-Arms is available on the day.

Domestic workshops: The opportunity exists for anyone to present material of interest to the swordplay community on the Sunday Morning. To dates we have:

• Sword & Buckler: Keith Beattie & Scott McDonald
• Vadi Longsword: James Wran
• Use of the off-Hand: Henry Walker

Please contact scott.mcdonald@defence.gov.au with your presentation suggestion. An update on available workshops will be dispatched periodically.

Skill-at-Arms: The Skill-at-Arms format as trialed last year will continue for this year. Please read the Skill-at-Arms in a Nutshell guide and the full Skill-at-Arms rules.

Combat Marshalls: All Brisbane based schools intending to have any of their members enter any tournament is required to provide 1 x Combat Marshall to the ACA to ensure that safety, consistency and fairness for the Skill-at-Arms event.

This means:

1. They are to attend the Tournament Rehearsal scheduled for August to ensure they are familiar with the rules, have witness how bouts are to be run and an opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts;
2. This person cannot be a competitor involved in that particular tournament (ie: you cannot be a Rapier competitor and a Combat Marshall for the same tournament);
3. They are to act in this capacity with the support of their School Head.

Look forward to seeing everyone later this year for what is shaping up to be the best Swordplay event yet.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Thank you all for making the weekend the success it was. Yes we had admin issues associated with the lower conference centre not being completed in time but from a swordplay perspective I think the camaraderie, willingness to cross-blades and the swordsmanship emerging particularly from the Skill-at-Arms event was excellent and demonstrates a clear strategic vision for the future of Australian Swordsmanship.

All schools represented displayed what can be only described as exemplary conduct with no serious injuries reported or treated; and that’s factoring in some pretty serious exchanges between competitors.

A big thank you to our guest for this year Puck Cutis who provided an excellent workshop on the Destreza tradition and displayed great swordsmanship and gracious conduct throughout the weekend. I’m very glad that he has agreed to program in a return visit for Swordplay’ 12 and I strongly recommend to all not to miss this chance as he is a teacher of high caliber.

Well done to all finalists in the Sword, Longsword and Open Tournaments. Good swordplay and good conduct all round. A list of finalists with pictures will be on the ACA Website soon. Looks like the Longsword exponents will need to come to grips with facing Sword and Dagger exponents at next year Skill-at-Arms (not that I’m throwing a challenge out to the Longsword community of course!).

A special thank you to the following people who did lots of background work over the weekend to make my job easier:

• Genevieve Munro
• Helen Prince
• Braddon Giles
• Chris Slee
• Henry Walker

…and all others who assisted in any way.

I wish to thank Scouts QLD / St John / Coffee Ladies from Dolly Vardens for contributing to a safe, martial weekend…..good coffee goes a long way early in the morning!

There will be a meeting held in the next month to the develop the plan for Swordplay’ 12 where upon a draft program and concept for the weekend will be distributed. I urge all participants to this year’s event to send me feedback both positive and negative in order to make next year’s event perfect.

Swordplay 12 — “If you’re not there you’re not serious”

Everyone entering the Skill-at Arms event at Swordplay 11 has been asked to say a little something about themselves. Some of the competitors jumped at the chance to show themselves off to the world. Here they are.

Angus (SCA)

I have been fencing for over 15 years, and organised and run regular classes for members of the SCA. These classes are for beginners through to advanced fencers. I am a senior of the SCA’s Guild of Defence. The Guild promotes research into, and the use of historical styles of combat. Amongst weapons I enjoy are Sword and dagger, single sword, sword and shield and case of swords.

Mark Baker (SCA)

My name is Mark. I have studied fencing for approximately 8 years now, originally with Prima Spada School of Fence, before joining the group I am in now for the past five years, the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism.). My weapon(s) of choice are the rapier and dagger, and follow the idea that we can  learn a great deal from the masters if we study them, and re-invent them where  required for the sport we currently play, and the art we practice.

Ross D (ACA)

Ross has trained with the Australian College of Arms since 2009. He first discovered a love of sword fighting through hitting his brother with a rolled up news paper, Viking Age reenactment and Modern Fencing. Ross currently takes out his aggression by teaching high-school history and coaching introductory Modern Fencing classes.

Tim Harris (WMAA/GLECA)

Tim (WMAA/GLECA) is a swordsmith, who has made weapons for sword schools nationwide. He started training with Melbourne Swordplay Guild in 2004, and is  currently armourer for WMAA/GLECA. He surprised himself by reaching 4th place   in the 2010 Skill at Arms Tournament from the wrong side of 50.

Robert Hook (PSSF)

Robert Hook has been playing with swords for longer than he cares to remember, and is pretty sure he knows less than he did before. He used to be a 14th and 15th century re-enactor, but the medicine is helping, For the past few years he’s been playing with Prima Spada School of Fence, and likes to think that rapiers are so much more gentlemanly than two-handed swords.

Cassian Humphreys

Have always likened myself to a blade, I started my evolution as sword blank    (re-enactor) in 1995, a great deal of hammering had me win my first tournament  at Armidale 2007, found ACA in 2010 and competed at Sword play 10 (semi-finalist). Trained with ACA till the Brisbane Flood. Following a relocation I am back, this time as a kilted Glecan. Love your take on swordsmanship Scott, but being a Celt at heart I succumbed to the skirt.

Max Sheehy (GLECA)

After training in and teaching eastern martial arts for twelve years, Max picked up the longsword in 2010 in an attempt to make his gallóglaigh ancestors proud. He appreciates the opportunity to practice and test himself against other skilled combatants through the training and competition offered by Glen Lachlann Estate College of Arms. Max is currently looking forward to competing with GLECA at his first National Western Martial Arts competition in September.

Justin Vaughan (ACA)

I have been training with ACA for approximately 5 years. My favourite weapon combinations are Rapier and dagger. I dabble with the longsword but do not consider it my forte. I enjoy fighting all opponents bearing all weapon combinations as this enhances the fighting experience. I would describe my fighting technique as contemporary but amalgamating old school rapier, longsword and sword styles into a unique fast flowing weapon style. My aim in Swordplay 2011 is to interact with the best swordsmen and women from all over Australia and have fun competitive bouts.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Swordplay 11 is on from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th September 2011 at the Baden Powell Scout Park, Samford, Queensland (map).

This weekend is designed as an annual event to bring the local and interstate swordplay community together as way of displaying and developing our swordsmanship skills in a friendly, martial and safe environment.

This year’s international guest presenter is Mr Puck Curtis on Spanish Destreza swordplay.

The venue is the newly erected lower convention centre located at K7 on the site map. This area contains a large grassy area with much of it undercover of trees with immediate ablutions and a kitchen and storage area facilities. Accommodation cabins are immediately adjacent this area and weather permitting should allow us to get out and mix outdoors and enjoy the open air.

Each day has a theme for the weekend as described in the program.

Please read the Skill-at-Arms Rules to ensure you have an understanding of how the Skill-at-Arms event will be run and what your personal requirements are.

Ensure anyone wishing to take part in the Skill-at-Arms forwards this registration form and waiver to arrive no later than 31st August 2011. All other registration will be taken up to and including at the gate.

Update: Here’s a Rogues Gallery of Skill-At-Arms competitors

Cost: $30 per day + $30 for Puck Curtis workshop on Saturday. That’s $120 for three days including the workshop. Use the following bank account details for direct deposits. Please make sure you mark the deposit with your name.

Wet Weather Plan. In case of inclement weather on the Saturday and Sunday of the event, the wet weather venue will be the Everton Park State School Hall located on Deakin Street. This call is expected to be made 3 days out from the event but assume that we will be at Samford on the Friday regardless.

Food. Breakfast & diner your affair but the QLD Scouts will provide a sausage & drinks lunch for approx. $5.00 on site. There’ll also be coffee / tea / biscuits / cordial available during the day.

Coffee Van. On site from 8.00-9.00am each day.

Accommodation. Cabin accommodation at Baden Powell $8.00 per person per night with a $5.00 fee for linen/pillows if not bringing a sleeping bag.

Samford Village. Right next door with a range of specialty shops.

Medical. St John ambulance will be in attendance during all tournaments.

Filming. Finals for the Skill-at-Arms will be done by the ACA. Filming the Puck Curtis Workshop is allowed as long as it is for private viewing only and not to be released on any social media sites without Mr Curtis’ permission. Anyone wishing to film any aspect of Mr Curtis workshop is requested to approach Mr Curtis in the first instance.

Not-For-Profit. This event is run not-for-profit. In fact, the ACA is accepting some financial risk with running this event involving an international presenter at a fairly low cost to encourage maximum participation.

Note: It is requested that all competitors wishing to take part in this year’s Skill-at-Arms forward a small resolution JPG picture and brief bio to scottcath@hotkey.net.au so we can start a Skill-at-Arms Gallery displaying this year’s competitors.

Please feel free to send all queries to scottcath@hotkey.net.au.

Scott McDonald
Provost
Australian College of Arms

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Once again thank you all very much for making Swordplay 10 a success. Special thanks to Paul Wagner and all our interstate guests for taking the time to travel.

The group photo will appear soon on the ACA Website.

At this stage Swordplay 11 is planned for September 9th – 11th 2011, Baden Powell Park, Samford Queensland (map). I have been approached about bringing an international guest – for discussion at the first planning meeting.

Please keep forwarding comments to this email address so the planning for next year can proceed on the best basis.

Initial Planning Meeting for Swordplay 11 is scheduled for Saturday 19th November at Zanetti’s Cafe, Blackwood Street Mitchelton (map) 1.30pm – 3.00pm. Invites will be forwarded to all Schools of Swordsmanship.

Regards,

Scott McDonald
Provost
Australian College of Arms

Ladies and gentlemen,

A final reminder that a practice tournament will be held 12.00 – 3.00pm this Sunday 25th July at Baden Powell Scout Park (map). This will be the last official practice prior to Swordplay’ 10.

The aims for this practice are:

1. Allow competitors to practice under actual conditions as part of their preparation…including safety brief and fielding all safety gear;
2. Tournament officials having the opportunity to practice their duties; and
3. Final fine tune rules / format etc prior to Swordplay’ 10.

At this stage Tournament Officials attending are as follows:

• OST President – Scott McDonald
• Combat Marshalls – Michael Wright & Garth Richards
• Safety Marshal – Keith Beattie
• Weapon Marshall – Henry Walker (not available but SCA member in lieu)
• Floor Judges – Volunteers welcomed to attend otherwise it’ll be ACA members on the day.

We will be holding a full tournament rehearsal for Swordplay 10 on Sunday 25th July at Baden Powell Scout Park (map). The main purpose is to run through the tournament format with the tournament official but it’s a great opportunity for anyone thinking of competing to begin measuring up the opposition.

Location: Baden Powell Scout Park, Samford (map)

Date: Sunday 25 July 2010

Time: 12 noon – 3.00pm

Equipment: Bring your weapons and safety gear (Check out the tournament rules for details.)