Carl Schwende Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2008 and 2009

At its AGM held in Winnipeg last week, the CFF Board of Directors was pleased to announce two very worthy recipients of the Carl Schwende Volunteer of the Year Award. These recipients were selected from a pool of five strong nominees, each of whom on their own merit was deserving of the award. The recipients were selected for their lifelong contributions to the sport both in their local regions and at the national level, emulating the lifelong dedication to Canadian Fencing that was shown by Carl Schwende.

The Carl Schwende Volunteer of the Year Award for 2008: Alfred Knappe, New Brunswick

The Carl Schwende Volunteer of the Year Award for 2009: Jim Wetterberg, Alberta.

Below please find a brief history for both individuals as submitted by their nominating provinces in the original language of submission.

Prix Carl Schwende du bénévole de l'année 2008 et 2009

Lors de l'assemblée générale annuelle qui s'est déroulée la semaine dernière à Winnipeg, le conseil d'administration de la FCE était heureux d'annoncer les récipiendaires du prix Carl Schwende - Bénévole de l'année pour 2008 et 2009. Le choix n'a pas été facile puisque les gagnants ont été choisis à partir d'un bassin de cinq nominés, chacun méritant largement de recevoir cette distinction.

Les récipiendaires ont été récompensés pour leur contribution au sport, tant dans leur région qu'au niveau national, imitant ainsi le dévouement pour l'escrime canadienne démontré par Carl Schwende tout au long de son existence.

Carl Schwende - Bénévole de l'année 2008 : Alfred Knappe, Nouveau-Brunswick

Carl Schwende - Bénévole de l'année 2009 : Jim Wetterberg, Alberta

Vous trouverez ci-dessous un bref résumé des principaux accomplissements de ces deux individus, tel que soumis par leur province respective lors du processus de nomination (et dans la langue originale de soumission)

Alfred Knappe:

Alfred Knappe was the first fencing coach in New Brunswick. In 1966, Alfred joined the newly formed fencing club at the University of New Brunswick, (the first club in NB) and has been involved in fencing since that time. That is an astonishing 43 years!

Alfred was instrumental in the formation of Fencing New Brunswick and a contemporary of Carl Schwende. Alfred and Mr. Schwende met at the 1971 Canada Games and were "colleagues in fencing" until Mr. Schwende's death.

I have chronicled below the contributions Alfred Knappe has made to fencing in NB and at the national level.

When Alfred Knappe started his job at UNB (he had been in Canada for 11 years), he was asked to coach a fencing club at UNB. This was the first club to be formed in New Brunswick. Within 2 years, there were 2 more clubs in NB; Saint John and St. Andrews. In 1969, Alfred called the clubs together and the New Brunswick Fencing Association was formed. Alfred was the first president of the NB Fencing Association.

For the first 10 years, Alfred WAS fencing in New Brunswick. Alfred was the only referee, a highly skilled coach (1 of 3 in NB) and the only armourer in New Brunswick . Alfred ran all the coaching, training and referee clinics, organized the tournaments and brought in equipment so the fencers would have access to quality gear. Alfred, as the first President of the New Brunswick Fencing Association, was responsible for the association duties as well and co-authoring the first constitution of the new association.

CHRONOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION - LOCAL & PROVINCIAL

• 1966-2009 Coach, instructor & referee of fencing in New Brunswick
• 1966 Started coaching the UNB Fencing Club (10 years)
• 1969 Organized and officially established the NB Fencing Association
• 1971 Coached and managed the fencing team at the NB Winter Games
• 1969-72 First president of the NB Fencing Association
• 1966-90 Chief Armourer for the NB Fencing Association.
• 1966-83 Conducted innumerable fencing clinics in NB (training, coaching & referee clinics)
• 1966-90 Officiated and judged at most competitions in NB and NS.
• 1971 Organized, coached and competed on the fencing team at the Canada Winter Games
• 1972 Co-authored the first constitution, NB Fencing Association.
• 1972-84 Official supplier of fencing equipment to the Atlantic provinces.
• 1973 Established the Alfred Knappe Team Tournament and provided the trophy that is still in use today.
• 1975 Coached the fencing team at the New Brunswick Winter games.
• 1981-83 President, New Brunswick Fencing Association
• 2000 Founding Patron of the Alfred Knappe Trust Fund

CHRONOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION – NATIONAL

• 1969 Competed in the Canadian National Fencing Championships.
• 1969-72 Director, Canadian Fencing Association
• 1971-74 Founding Member, National Committee of Fencing Instructors. (involved in the organization of this committee).
• 1970’s Consultant in the formation of the Nova Scotia Fencing Association
• 1972–90 National Instructor, Canadian Fencing Association
• 1972 Instrumental in the development of the Canadian Fencing Passport, a document used and recognized at provincial, national and international competitions to record standings in competitions, attendance at training sessions and participation in fencing events.
• 1976 “Armurier Chef de Groupe-maitre technician-reparation des armes” Olympics, Montreal

Jim Wetterberg:

Jim Wetterberg (right) receives Carl Schwende Award 2009.
Presented by Brad Goldie, President Alberta Fencing Association.

While Mr. Wetterberg has been heavily involved in fencing in Alberta for many years, his volunteer commitment to fencing in Alberta has been remarkable for the last two. Mr. Wetterberg works as head armourer at most Alberta tournaments, for which his only compensation is usually free lunch, if he can spare the time to take it. He is tireless in his efforts to not only ensure that the tournament equipment is set up and functioning properly, but also that fencers’ equipment is in good repair. As the number of participants in Alberta tournaments increases, so do the demands on his time and skills, and more often than not, he doesn’t get that free lunch until 2 or 3 pm. His passion has inspired many people to learn more about armoury, and he volunteers his time as a teacher for fencers and their parents to learn the basics of equipment repair. He is readily available to answer any questions from fencers, clubs, or associations about equipment of all types, and gives his advice freely and without prejudice