THE school already boasts an England youth international, but a new venture at Queen Elizabeth High School is hoping to unearth more stars of the future.

With significant funding from Sport England, the Hexham school is currently running a seven-week programme to get pupils into fencing to complement the talent of sixth former Georgia Webb who has represented her country a number of times in international competitions.

And once the weekly sessions, led by Durham Phoenix Fencing Club coach Chris Morton, runs dry, it is hoped the teenagers themselves will continue the club, or branch out to form a community club in the area.

The funding was gained after Jenni Gillet, the mother of keen fencer Max, approached Sport England for funding. And the after-school sessions on Wednesday evenings proved an instant hit with a number of pupils, the classes attracting an average of 18 attendees.

Leading the sessions is experienced Durham Phoenix coach Chris Morton who has been impressed with the enthusiasm from the Hexham children.

He said: “In schools, there’s football, rugby, netball and cricket, but some children don’t like these sports.

“The whole idea of these sessions is that, if this takes off, we will see if we can get the children to keep a club going.

“If we can generate enough interest, they could start a club out of school as there’s no club anywhere in between Carlisle or Durham.”

The initiative coincides with new tasters sessions across the district aimed at forming fencing clubs in the area.

Run by Active Northumberland, the first sessions will be at the Rede Tyne Coquet Centre, in Otterburn, on Saturday, with plans to roll out the scheme in Haltwhistle, Allendale and other areas once venues have been confirmed.

A course for people interested in becoming a fencing activator will be held at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre on July 2 and 3.

Anyone interested in fencing should contact Kathie Keady on (01670) 622369.