Brentwood School Fencer Matthew O'Connell, who is ranked second in Great Britain at Under 17 (Cadet) Sabre and 21st at senior level, has been selected for the World Championships, which are to be held in Indiana at Easter.

The top three British Fencers at Under 17 and Under 20 are selected.

Matthew, 15, achieved his selection following a successful season in which he won two senior open competitions, reached the final in two others, was placed second in the Under 17 National Championships and fenced successfully in various other senior open competitions, three Under 17 Internationals in Kenten (Germany), Bonn (Germany) and Pisa (Italy), and two Under 20 Internationals in Frascati (Italy) and Dourdan (France).

Matthew, who is coached by the National Sabre Coach, Mike Matthews, trains in Poland each summer with the Polish Olympic squad.

He fences 10 times each week at school and travels to London Thames Fencing Club in Hammersmith every Thursday to train with the top British Senior fencers.

Matthew is also taking 11 subjects at GCSE this year and achieved all A's and A 'stars' in his mocks in January despite missing lots of days at school due to his fencing.

This has only been possible because of the huge support given to him by the teaching staff at Brentwood School.

Matthew is proud of his achievement, the more so because he still has one year left as a Cadet.

Because of his excellent senior ranking, he hopes to be selected for the World Championships against next year and then for the following three years as a Junior (Under 20).

Matthew's parents, Janet and Michael, said: ''We are delighted with the progress that he has made, and we know that Matthew is extremely grateful to the Brentwood School teachers for their support and encouragement, both in his fencing and academic careers''.

Matthew is also looking for any sponsorship that a local person or company may be able to provide, as all the costs of travelling to tournaments comes out of his parents' own pockets.

Therefore, anybody who may be willing to assist with sponsorship, is invited to telephone Janet and Michael O'Connell on 01277 222495.

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