Fencing is more than just a game, it's a living thing, the sum total of every person, good or bad, who's ever picked up a sword, rapier or foil.

Nick Evangelista

Click here to learn more about the Portland Fencing Center facility.

Coach Nancy Reynolds, founder of the Portland Fencing Center, has been fencing competitively for three decades.

Nancy began fencing at the age of nine in her native New Jersey with coach Charlie Bosco, whose fencing pedigree goes back over generations of famed fencers and coaches.

Charlie's mentor was Tony Orsi, captain of the United States World Championship Fencing Team and past Secretary of the United States Fencing Association in Colorado. Orsi taught at the Santelli Fencing Academy and the Orsi Fencing Village in Rutherford, NJ from 1967 to 1985.

As a Junior Fencer, Nancy was a division champion and competed in national and international competition. She began her coaching career in her twenties, working with Charlie at Salle Bosco.

Nancy moved to Maine in 1994 and began coaching at various locations around the state. In 1997 she began Portland Fencers Club, teaching sport fencing at area athletic clubs.

In the Fall of 2000, Nancy finally realized her dream of opening a complete fencing facility with the creation of the Portland Fencing Center. Now she is a full time coach and instructor, with students of all ages, some of whom are fencing in national competition.

Nancy is a member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association, the world organization of fencing masters. In June of 2005 she hosted the national conference of the USFCA at the Portland Fencing Center, where she was certified as Moniteur.

In addition to bringing up new fencers, Nancy continues to compete in Women's Foil.