Angie Zhao founded Hills Athletic Fencing Club in 2015. She was inspired and influenced by traditional Chinese martial arts, combined with the modern sport of fencing, she set up the values of the HAFC which is Friendship, Loyalty, Respect, Discipline, and Fitness. Under her vision and management, HAFC successfully achieved the NSW No.1 ranking club award within two years.
Angie continued her training on her own by attending oversea coach camps, online coaching from European national team, and competing in the competition. She has completed her coach training at Duke University and US/French Fencing Coach academy and gained her accredit coach title. She has taken lessons and trained under some of the best Olympic coaches internationally. This diversity has given her a wide range of ideas, techniques, and tactics to meet every student where they are and give them the best chance to succeed.
Her responsibilities at HAFC include management of fencing programs and coaching staff, business administration and marketing. She is a former board of directors of NSW Fencing Association.
Before HAFC, Angie has years of successful business experience within the kids' sports coaching industry. She is currently the franchise owner of an award-winning multi-sport program Steady Go Kids and has gained experience in training children of all ages. Ange has a degree in Commerce and Certificate III&IV in fitness.
Accredited Coach by US fencing coach association and Academie d’Armes France in all three weapons (Sabre, Epee and Foil), Level 2
Founder & Club Director
Personal trainer and group class instructor
Bachelor in Commerce
Cert III in Fitness
Cert IV in Fitness
Angie Zhao
Angelo is a professional in his field with lifetime membership to the N.S.W Fencing Squad and has a national accreditation of a Level 3 coach in all three weapons (the highest and most difficult to achieve).
Coach Angelo Santangelo has come highly recommended by influential people in the world of fencing, with a great resume that shows extraordinary skill and knowledge.
Angelo has 40 years fencing coaching experience. During his career as an fencing coach, Angelo has completed several fencing studies over a period of three years. During and after his studies, he has continued to teach fencing in Australia.
Meastro Angelo graduated from the renowned Academy of Nazionali di Scherma Naples (Italian National Academy of Fencing Naples), with AIMS Maestro level 3 certificate. He worked with top Italian coaches in Pisa. In 1993 he had qualified as F.I.E referee and in 1997 was an official Referee at the First World Cup in Sydney, Australia, and coach of the Australian National Team. In 2001, he participated in a specialized international high level workshop at Pisa, Italy. In 2004, he was appointed assessor by the coaching commission by the Australian Fencing Federation. In 2004 he received sponsorship from Leon Paul to attend Pisa (Italy) Fencing to further develop his coaching skills. In 2010, he assisted the head coach for fencing in NSW at state training squad.
Angelo’s student Robert Jordon has won more than 12 State and National Championship medals and also represented Australia twice at Olympic games (1992 Para). Additionally many of his other students have won state and national titles, such as Mattew Dallasen who won Australian U23 cadet champion, Mark Morries Commonwealth Bronze Medal and U23 champion, Emily Yee U23 Champion.
Head Coach
Level 3 Coach
Angelo Santangelo
Ly is a fun, passionate, caring and down to earth coach. His extensive experience in coaching young kids of all ages and skill has helped grow the sport and participation. With a patient and positive attitude, Ly is very engaging and interpersonal, leading to strong coach-student bonds with his students. A great communicator and motivator, he strives to bring out the best in all of his students, whether it’s from a technical, tactical or mental perspective.
As a long time member of HAFC since 2016 he is one of our most talented instructors. Ly is available for group and private instruction (by appointment).
Level 2 Fencing Coach from USFCA
Coordinator of kids program
Accredited Sport Coach
Ly Chheng
Mark is a talented fencer, he started fencing since he was 9 years old and , he saw a news item on the ABC TV channel about Fencing and decided would like to try it and have been Fencing ever since.
Mark is a national team member, throughout his training, Mark has competed successfully as professional athlete at many state, national and international competitions. He won the Silver medals at 2017 and 2018 Australian National, Junior and U23 competition.
As a coach, Mark has a very hands on in his coaching style, having a very analytical and technical approach to help individuals exceed their goals, whether they may be fitness, techniques or competition success.
Epee & Foil Coach
Level 1 coach