Cornish schoolboy ranked top ten in international competition

Nine year old Arlo Bason from Par came 9th in the Wratislavia Challenge, a prestigious international fencing championship in Poland last month.

The year 5 pupil, from Roselyon School in Par, shared his success with his 11 year old brother, Alfie, who came 55th after beating off competition from 189 competitors from over 20 different countries.

Last year, Arlo was ranked joint first place in the Under 9s National Leon Paul Ranking Series, whilst his fencing coach, Mathew Gale, Head of Mathematics at Roselyon School, was given the accolade of Coach of the Year at the Cornwall Sports Awards.

It has taken Arlo just three years of training with Mathew Gale to work his way up to international level and his school couldn’t be prouder of him.

Coach Mathew Gale said: “The next three months are critical for us we prepare for the team and individual championships which are the culmination of the fencing season.”

Head Teacher Hilary Man said: “Arlo is a true sportsman and a team player. He has trained hard to achieve his success this year and thoroughly deserves it.”

Year 1, 2 and 3 children at the school enjoy Fencing as part of their curriculum and can continue throughout their school life by joining the schools club. Even the adults can take part after Mr Gale started The Lyonhearts a fencing group for parents at the school. Roselyon now also has adult novices in competitions around the country.

Roselyon School was founded in 1952 and is currently located in a mine-owner’s house on a wooded, 5 acre site in Par. The school prides itself on small classes enabling teachers to support each child and help them gain their full potential. Roselyon can boast many competition wins including the 2017 UK fencing championships, classes in the Cornwall sailing regatta, cross country, art, poetry, music and more. As well as being the only Cornish School to be featured in the Sunday Times Top 100 Schools