General Policy

Stoccata want to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all our students, and as such we have to consider the safety and capabilities of our underage students.

HEMA is very much a serious adult activity, and Stoccata does not run classes specifically designed for kids. Generally speaking, the preferred minimum age for attending classes at Stoccata is 16. Students younger than that may find the material too difficult, and the weapons we use too heavy to control safely.

However, the different branches have slightly different policies regarding underage students. In any event, the kids will be attending and training with adults in our regular classes. What we teach is a contact sport and there is always a possibility of injury, same as in any other contact sport.

Baulkham Hills & Strathfield

At our Baulkham Hills and Strathfield branches, the minimum age is 18 due to the nature of the weapons and material we teach in these classes.

Drummoyne & Rhodes

At the Drummoyne branch, students aged 12 and above are welcome to attend the Classical Italian Fencing class on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm, which uses lighter modern Italian foils and sabres. Most kids shouldn’t have any issues using these weapons.

The other classes offered at Drummoyne & Rhodes have a minimum age of 16, due to the nature of the weapons and material taught in those classes.

Faulconbridge

At our Faulconbridge branch, the minimum age for participation is 14.

Newcastle

At our Newcastle branch, the minimum age is 18 due to the nature of the weapons and material we teach in these classes.