Derry fencers set for 2026 Commonwealth Games glory in Nigeria

The North West fencing community is celebrating a landmark achievement as local athletes Scott Adair and Thea Leadley have been officially selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, Nigeria.

The pair, who train at The Fencing Club with bases in Eglinton and Magee, will travel to West Africa for the historic tournament under the leadership of Maître Mike Westgate, the National Coach and Performance Director for Northern Ireland Fencing.

Mike Westgate is one of the most decorated coaches in the UK and Ireland and his presence in the Derry club has been transformative for local talent.

"The selection of Thea and Scott for the Commonwealth Championships is a testament to the hard work being done here in Derry," said Head Coach Mike Westgate, a veteran of the sport with over 50 years of experience, including coaching at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and a recipient of the British Fencing Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

"To have these athletes from the same club competing at this level is a fantastic achievement. Thea has shown incredible dedication and rapid progression in a short space of time, while Scott’s return to the sport and successful qualification demonstrates the depth of talent we have. We are looking forward to the challenge in Lagos."

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For Scott Adair, the 2026 Games represent a remarkable "full circle" moment. Competing in the sport during the 1990s and early 2000s, Adair earned numerous youth championships before stepping away to focus on his career and family.

"Fencing has a rich history, but seeing it expand into West Africa for the first time is a significant milestone," Adair remarked. "Being part of the first cohort of Commonwealth fencers to compete in Africa adds an extra layer of prestige to the event, and it's a privilege to be involved in that history.

“Having competed and won youth championships in the 90s and 00's, coming back to the sport later in life and earning a spot on the Northern Ireland team is incredibly rewarding. To wear the kit after a long break to focus on my career and family feels like a full circle moment."

Adair’s preparation has extended beyond tactical drills to include rigorous physical and medical planning. "Preparing for the heat of Lagos requires a focus on hydration and endurance," Adair explained.

"I've been working on maintaining high intensity throughout long sessions at the club to ensure that when the humidity hits, my focus remains sharp. But the preparation isn't just physical, it's medical - by managing the necessary vaccinations and health protocols, you have to be physically resilient and medically prepared."

Scott Adair (Ireland) preparing for his FIE International fencing match against Italy's Jorge Antonio Giaquinto.

He emphasised his commitment, adding: "My goal is to be as competitive as possible and use my experience to manage the pressure of a major international tournament. I want to put in a performance that reflects the work we’ve put in at the club over the last few years."

In contrast to Adair’s decades of history, Thea Leadley’s rise has been meteoric. Having only taken up the sport 18 months ago, Leadley has rapidly ascended the national rankings to fulfill a long-held family ambition.

"It means everything," Leadley said of her selection. "From seeing my brothers represent Ireland for basketball, it has always been a goal of mine to represent the nation internationally. This is just the beginning for me." Regarding the historic nature of the host city, she added, "It’s a great feeling and exciting to see fencing growing in new places. I train with athletes in the UK with Nigerian backgrounds and they are really proud and excited to see the games being held there; I can’t wait to experience it with my teammates."

Leadley has tailored her training to meet the demands of the international stage, incorporating new plyometrics and strength training into her routine. "While it's hard to replicate the exact conditions of Lagos here, I try my best to replicate certain situations to be as prepared as possible," she noted.

"I want to gain as much experience as possible. I see Lagos as a learning experience that will help me grow as an athlete."

Thea Leadley preparing for the Commonwealth Games where she will represent Northern Ireland on the world stage.

Behind the scenes, the success of the Derry club, and indeed these athletes, is bolstered by a dedicated coaching staff and a supportive club environment.

Jonathan Burnside, a club member and former Commonwealth fencer himself, has been an essential figure in the training camp. His firsthand experience of the unique pressures of the Commonwealth Games has allowed him to provide Scott and Thea with the high-level tactical sparring required to compete on the international stage.

Further strengthening the technical team is Coach Masoud Gholami, who brings a wealth of elite competitive and coaching experience to the piste. Gholami’s coaching philosophy is central to the athletes' development, placing a heavy emphasis on dynamic footwork and controlled distance management.

Crucially, his approach also focuses on the psychological preparedness needed to excel under the bright lights of a major championship, ensuring both Scott and Thea are as mentally resilient as they are physically prepared.

Adair highlighted the influence of his mentors, stating, "Mike Westgate has been instrumental in my journey. It’s a huge advantage to be trained by someone with his Olympic pedigree. However, the strength of the club also lies in the collective experience of the team.

“Jonathan Burnside has been a massive support, having been to the Commonwealths himself; his advice on what to expect has been a huge benefit.

“Together with Masoud and Maoliosa, who have been incredibly supportive, they’ve created an environment at the club that has been vital to my preparation.”

Leadley echoed this sentiment, crediting a wide network of support. “My coach Mike Westgate, along with Jonathan Burnside and Maoliosa, have been a massive support. I also travel to London to train with Oana Piui and Sam Boyle at Salle Paul Phoenix.

Maître Mike Westgate, National Coach and Performance Director for Northern Ireland Fencing.

“Locally, Kieran O’Neill has helped with physical prep, and I owe a lot to Jacqui Esimaje Heath and Andy Heath. Jacqui is the one who actually got me into fencing a year and a half ago."

The 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships will take place in Lagos from 9–19 August 2026.