Rebecca Ward's three "S" - School, Saber, Sincerity

[gladius]

On Schermaonline.com you can read a long and in-depth interview with Rebecca Ward, our youngest fencing champion who is after Olympic gold to add to her already incredible accomplishments, and she just turned 18.

http://www.schermaonline.com/scherma...ticle&sid=1709

The portrait that emerges reveals a multifaceted, mature, dedicated person who is determined to succeed on the strip AND in life.

It has been a real privilege for us to get to know her. We hope you'll enjoy reading about her, the glory and the pain and sacrifices of this very young world class champion and of her family.

[bunbury]

I wish my parents would have thrown $40,000 at me every year for a sport

[Mo]

Originally Posted by bunbury

I wish my parents would have thrown $40,000 at me every year for a sport

Perhaps they didn't. Did you read this part of the interview?


"I don't know how any US fencer could afford to keep traveling so much, if they aren't able to access the performance money. It's just so expensive."

I doubt much throwing went on. Really determined fencers are not just handed things, they earn them.

That works out surprisingly often in life.

The Momster

[dekko]

Originally Posted by Mo

Perhaps they didn't. Did you read this part of the interview?


"I don't know how any US fencer could afford to keep traveling so much, if they aren't able to access the performance money. It's just so expensive."

I doubt much throwing went on. Really determined fencers are not just handed things, they earn them.

That works out surprisingly often in life.

The Momster

Don't bring logic and reason to a fnet thread, most here don't like that.

[jfarmer]

Originally Posted by dekko

Don't bring logic and reason to a fnet thread, most here don't like that.

It's not that they don't like it, it's that so few recognize it when it happens...

[dekko]

Originally Posted by jfarmer

It's not that they don't like it, it's that so few recognize it when it happens...

You are right, don't know what I was thinking.

[bunbury]

Originally Posted by Mo

Perhaps they didn't. Did you read this part of the interview?


"I don't know how any US fencer could afford to keep traveling so much, if they aren't able to access the performance money. It's just so expensive."

I doubt much throwing went on. Really determined fencers are not just handed things, they earn them.

That works out surprisingly often in life.

The Momster

"The problem is, when I compete on a full slate of meets here in the US and overseas, it can take between $30,000-$40,000 a year for training, travel and accommodations. Very little of that got covered by the rewards programs in the early years."

In other words, "mom, may I have some monnnnnney?"

[Mr Epee]

Very nice article.

I love the way that Italians do interviews. Very playful.

[Mo]

Originally Posted by bunbury

"The problem is, when I compete on a full slate of meets here in the US and overseas, it can take between $30,000-$40,000 a year for training, travel and accommodations. Very little of that got covered by the rewards programs in the early years."

In other words, "mom, may I have some monnnnnney?"

Bunny,
The problem I have with your assumptions is that instead of reading the interview thoughtfully, you just jumped on the money issue.
The fencer in question didn't ask for money. After funding a few trips and seeing her potential, her grandparents, my husbands parents stepped in to help.
You make her sound like a spoiled whiney bratt who snapped her fingers and was given everything. You have no idea how hard she has worked. I think she pointed out how grateful she was for the parental sacrafice involved too.
Stop being a prick. Don't critcize her for your assumptions.
It was a joint effort which any successful athlete needs but she hasn't been handed anything.
The Momster

[Coldfire]

Originally Posted by Mo

Bunny,
The problem I have with your assumptions is that instead of reading the interview thoughtfully, you just jumped on the money issue.
The fencer in question didn't ask for money. After funding a few trips and seeing her potential, her grandparents, my husbands parents stepped in to help.
You make her sound like a spoiled whiney bratt who snapped her fingers and was given everything. You have no idea how hard she has worked. I think she pointed out how grateful she was for the parental sacrafice involved too.
Stop being a prick. Don't critcize her for your assumptions.
It was a joint effort which any successful athlete needs but she hasn't been handed anything.
The Momster

I understand that you have a personal interest in this but I think he was joking...

Very interesting and informative article.

[dekko]

I have a hunch this took very hard work on both sides, the fencer/coach and family sacrifice.

Personally, as a USA fencers fan, I am glad Becca has shown the ability and the family has had the opportunity and ability to help her reach full potential. Thanks to all involved the US may have another WS gold medal to show the rest of the world.

Go Becca, win it all!!

[dcmdale]

Originally Posted by bunbury

"The problem is, when I compete on a full slate of meets here in the US and overseas, it can take between $30,000-$40,000 a year for training, travel and accommodations. Very little of that got covered by the rewards programs in the early years."

In other words, "mom, may I have some monnnnnney?"

I am not following you, bunbury. Are you annoyed that Olympic level athletes get some help with what it takes to get there? That money is just as available to you if you have the talent and drive to get to that level.

Your insinuation that Becca and other top fencers are spoiled brats coming from rich families is simply insulting and ignorant.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by Coldfire

I understand that you have a personal interest in this but I think he was joking...

I suspect you don't understand how often Mo (and family) hear similar sentiments from those that certainly AREN'T joking. Whether or not bunbury was (and it's not clear), Mo's reaction is both understandable and reasonable.

-B

[Mr Epee]

I think Mssr. Bunbury gets the point. He is getting at a very important issue that can be discussed in general terms, but probably shouldn't be discussed in terms of a specific athlete. In other words, it's a subject that is certainly thread worthy, but this isn't the right thread.

No need to continue piling on.

I'm curious as to how this interview was conducted.

Was it a live discussion? or conducted via some form of text?

[cbcarey]

Very nice interview. I always wondered what the life of such an athlete involved. How do you make life work and still compete at that level?

I think its wonderful that she was/is able to experience that life. Many things seem to have to come together to pull it off. The sacrifice of some aspects of life and the dedication to the sport make 40K a year seem free. Of course, thats far from free, but money is money. Its attainable. You can't go fundraise new knees or get an endorsement that replaces an hour and half of conditioning a day.

I only hope that I can afford my daughter such opportunity (fencing or otherwise) should one arise.

[rustica]

I met Becca at summer nationals, 2004, and she was working.....reffing the little guys.....hardly having $$ thrown at you! As I recall, her mom was on the BC, as well. Becca's a delight; the student body at Duke are very lucky to get her!

[piste off]

I am sure her parents can recoup some of the money invested by giving lessons on parenting. It is pretty obvious from the interview that they did a great job in that area.

Rick

[schermaonline.com]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

I'm curious as to how this interview was conducted.

Was it a live discussion? or conducted via some form of text?

We submitted the long list of questions via e-mail and Becca was very kind in answering all of them. No editing but for the titles in red to separate the context of the interview. We did not speak with her neither face to face nor over the phone. What you read is what we got.

Needless to say, Becca deserves all the credit for the successful outcome of this interview.

Ella Loescher

[fencerwallet]

Nice interview.

Re some of the comments, it amazes me that there are still people out there so naive that think anything in this country can be accomplished in the absence of money. ( I will ignore jealousy issues which may be cloaked as Naivete).

Face it, anyone who aspires to be a success will need money to get there. If you want an eduation, you need money to pay for it. If you want to be a world class athlete, you need money for training, coaching, travel, etc. Whether the money comes from parents, grandparents, benefactors, part time jobs, banks via loans, whatever, nothing comes without a financial cost element.

Many threads on this forum have discussed the fact parents either have or will expend a great deal of money on their children's fencing. Well, duh. I used to shoot in the mid-70s as a 12 year old golfer and wish like hell my parents spent money, any money, on helping me get better. Good for those parents that can afford to nurture talented children. Good for those parents that work hard so that their kids can pursue things in which they show a natural ability to achieve. Good for those kids that work part time and at summer jobs so that they can help pay for their fencing fees and costs.

I hate when these threads touch on such money issues, because, frankly, I get melancholy when I realize I spend an arm and a leg on my son's fencing. I hop around all day unable to clap. But, I'll continue to spend cash like Monopoly money, if I have it, because sometimes that is what it takes.

If your son or daughter got into Harvard, would you tell them, "No, it's too expensive?" or would you try like hell to help them find a way to make it work? Shame on those parents, too, that would try to falsely tell their children, "you can go to Po-Dunk University and it will be the same thing". Similarly, if your kid developed into a world class athlete, would you say, "you know, you can't live your dream and represent your country in the Olympics because the training is going to be too expensive"? I would guess almost all parents (unless your child is bunbury) would find a way to help make it happen.

I make no excuses for spending my money on my child. That is precisely why I spend all day, nearly every day, breaking rocks to earn each nickel.

P.S., I wrote this diatribe while at work...

[silver2e]

That was a great interview. I especially liked Becca's discussion of other fencers and her bouts.

When asked about the youthfulness of the fencers she said: ..."there are very few adults that can travel around the world and support themselves..."

This is so true. After college, when you might like your own place to live and be more independent in your life, the travel grants and performance awards do not pay the rent or put food on the table. And working full time does not allow time off for all that travel!