Five years after the merger between the Circolo Scherma SAL Lugano (active since 1982) and the Lugano Scherma Club (founded in 2008), the path of the current association shows a trajectory characterized by organizational consolidation and sporting continuity.
Lugano Fencing Today it is one of the main references for the discipline in the city, with around 140 active athletes including children, youth and adults and a constant presence on national and international circuits.
The five-year report highlights above all structural growth, rather than a single burst of results: a progressive evolution, built over time.
A consolidated technical structure
One of the key steps in the post-merger period was the strengthening of the technical structure.
The club has appointed a technical commission composed of figures with international experience: Elia Degani, silver medalist at the 2023 European Championships in Dublin; Isabella Tarchini, a former medalist at the youth world and Swiss level; and Simone Preite, coach and instructor for the Swiss U17/U20 national team.
This core team is supported by a staff of four instructors who ensure continuity of training across all categories, from the very first steps to competitive activity. The stated goal is to build a progressive and consistent path for each athlete.
Last season, we also added a collaboration with Francesco “Ciccio” Calabrese, coach of the Italian national team, who served as guest coach.
Furthermore, since 2024/2025, athletic training has been further structured thanks to the support of USI professionals, strengthening the link between sporting activity and academic territory.
Competitive growth and participation in competitions
On the competitive level, recent years have seen an increase in participation in races and a more regular presence on Swiss circuits, particularly in the U10 and U14 categories.
A key element is the agreement with the SBB (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane) for travel management, which has made travel more organized and safe, encouraging greater athlete participation.
At the same time, the collaboration with the “Piccolo Teatro Milano” club has opened the door to the Italian circuit, expanding the possibilities for competitive competition.
The results achieved in recent years confirm a progressive growth in the medal count, with successes both nationally and internationally, a sign of constant sporting maturation.
Safety, inclusion and Paralympic activity
In addition to the sporting dimension, the club has introduced an ethics committee tasked with ensuring an inclusive environment that is attentive to the well-being of the athletes.
The focus on the quality of the sporting experience has been accompanied by a specific commitment to the Paralympic front, launched in 2019 and still under development.
Infrastructure and future vision
The club is also focusing on infrastructure. The project for the new PalaRaiffeisen arena, which will also house a regional Swiss training and education center, represents a strategic juncture for the future.
The goal is to equip itself with a structure capable of supporting competitive and educational activities on a national and international scale, strengthening Lugano's role as a hub for Swiss fencing.
A budget that looks forward
Five years after the merger, the path appears to be defined by a line of continuity: a more solid organization, constant competitive presence, and gradual but stable growth.
The anniversary is therefore not interpreted as a point of arrival, but as an intermediate step towards a next phase of development.
Save the date
The club has scheduled two events open to the public:
- 16st May – “Fencing in the Square,” in Piazza Manzoni from 11:00 to 17:30, an initiative dedicated to promoting the Olympic discipline.
- 23st May – The Moschettieri Trophy at the Auditorium of the Swiss Institute, an internal competition involving athletes of all ages, is open to the public for the first time.
Lugano Fencing
luganoscherma.ch
Telephone: 076 329 3886 / 091 252 0216
