Fairfield Fencing Academy
Meet The Team
All Coaching Staff are accredited USAFencing Coaching members
Jim Roberts
Owner - Head Foil Coach
Coach Roberts has been involved with fencing for over 20 years. He was a three-time state champion at North Haven High School before moving on to fence Division 1 at Sacred Heart University. In college he captained the men's team for three years and lead the Pioneers to back-to-back NFC Championships in 2010 and 2011. Roberts was named the head coach of the Warde and Ludlowe Fairfield combined high school fencing team in 2012. Since that time he has coached 20 State Champions and 40 All State Team Members. In 2022 Fairfield Fencing Academy fencers took the podium for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for Team Men's foil. At the high school state championships in 2017 both Men's and Women's Foil events were won by FFA students and again in 2018. On the regional circuit his students can be found on the top 8 of the youth, cadet, and junior divisions as well at top in Regional points. Roberts has also coached multiple top 8 National medalist with the most recent being Division 1 Women's Foil October NAC 2022 5th Place. Many of his students have gone past high school careers to compete for numerous college teams such as Yale University, Columbia University, Haverford College, Vassar College, Sacred Heart University, Steven's Tech, Boston College, and Pennsylvania State University.
Coach Roberts, "I have done many sports, but no sport is as challenging and rewarding as fencing. Competing all my life and now watching my athletes train and compete themselves is more rewarding than even my greatest results."
Stephen Barnett
Foil Coach
Coach Barnett, received All-State Honors at high school state championships in 2013 and 2014. Stephen continued his training at Pennsylvania State University where he trained under coach Gia. Coach Barnett earned a travel spot on the team his Sophomore through Senior year. Upon graduation Stephen moved back home to Clinton, CT and started giving lessons to student's at his dad's fencing academy. Coach Barnett has joined the Fairfield Fencing Academy staff to take on foil lessons and help take FFA programs to a new level.
Coach Barnett, "I've been fencing for 12 years and during my time at Penn State I trained with some of the best coaches and fencers in the country including several Olympians. I've seen what it takes to to get to the highest level and will help anyone willing to put in the effort to get there."
Delphine Devore
Foil Coach
Prior to fencing Division 1 NCAA Coach Delphine became Junior Olympic Champion, Cadet National Champion, as well as Pan American Junior Champion in 2017. In 2018 she became Cadet world's bronze medalist as well as Junior World champion. Coach Delphine has earned a spot on the Senior Women's Travel Squad for the 2022-2023. She joined Fairfield Fencing Academy in February 2021 and has since helped our competitive foil program reach new heights. As she continues to coach at the Academy she provides love, passion, and the work ethic needed to succeed!