Pocklington-based Ridings Sabre Club are proving a cut above the rest at youth level.

Their teenagers have won a string of high-profile events at national and regional level.

Leading the way is Jo Mountford who has been selected to represent Great Britain Under-14s at the cadet international in Kenten, Germany, and the U15s at Moneteau in France.

The rising 13-year-old star will also compete in the U17 cadet international in Kenten for Great Britain.

A national title holder, he is the highest ranked Yorkshire fencer in his age group and is ranked in the top 60 in the country at U17 level. He already has a string of Yorkshire medals to his name and was an integral member of his club's senior team when it took second place at the Yorkshire Team Championships.

Mountford started training at the Ridings club with head coach Adam Waller in 2003. Waller said: "Great Britain selection is the highpoint of Jo's fencing and he has worked long and hard to reach this level.

"Jo is still learning, and learning fast. He is less experienced as well as younger than many of his opponents but he always produces his best and continues to improve. If he can keep his positive attitude then he can build on his results both at home and internationally over the coming year and look forward to even greater things in future seasons."

Club mates, Luke Frostick and Matthew Fraser, both 16, missed being selected for the U17 squad by five places on the national rankings, but are working their way up the national list.

The pair are dominating the county fencing scene at their age group Ridings also boast a Welsh international in their ranks in Emma Little.

She has represented Wales in the Five Nations Fencing Championships for several years and was the Welsh ladies Champion in 2005.

Little scored a semi-final place in the Birmingham International Sabre and recently enjoyed a national title win at the Leicester Open competition.

She narrowly missed representing Wales at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships this year but is hoping to secure a Commonwealth Games spot in four year's time.

The club trains at Francis Scaife Leisure Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm and provides all equipment for new fencers.

For further information contact coach Adam Waller on 01482 314257.