Our Coaching Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our SCFC Coaching Staff represents a diverse set of individuals focused on a common goal to help you find success in fencing, flourish as an athlete, achieve your personal goals and have a great time in sport! Feel free to stop by and chat with any of our team - we are all working hard for you and are happy to discuss techniques, tactics, goal setting or help answer any questions you may have about fencing and your path to personal development.
Head Coach
Brenden Richard (Foil)
Coach Brenden has been teaching fencing in Orange County since 1994 and is committed to the development of fencers of all ages in a focused and positive learning environment. He is certified as a Prevot by the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA), of which he is a lifetime member. He began as the head of the fencing program for the University of California at Irvine in the 1990’s and left to create the South Coast Fencing Center, a non-profit center focused on developing fencers of all ages and levels in the greater Orange County area.
Coach Richard has trained in England, Spain, Italy and Holland. He was invited to train with the Spanish Olympic team under the guidance of their National Coach and Olympian, Jesus Esperanza, relocating to Spain in the early 2000's. He has taught at the U.S. Coaches College at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, and is a certified coach through that program. In 2009, Brenden was asked to represent the U.S. at the Pan-American High Level Fencing Course (also at the Olympic Training Center). Together with U.S. National Coach Buckie Leach, Brenden taught the foil portion of the course to over 80 national coaches from across the western hemisphere.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Brenden was a Regional Youth Coordinator for the United States Fencing Association (USFA), overseeing youth fencing development the western US. He was a former member of the United States Fencing Officials and was an active referee at the national level for many years. He is also Chair for the Orange Coast Division of USAF.
Brenden’s students have been finalists at numerous North America Cups (NACs) and National Championships. His alumni have gone on to fence at the international level, including the Junior World Championships. In addition to his role at the Center, Coach Brenden also runs the fencing programs in the Kinesiology department of CSU Fullerton.
Coach
Robert Kiss (Foil/Epee)
Coach Robert is an Olympian, representing Hungary in the '92 and '96 Olympic Games. He is a 7 time Hungarian National Champion and has been coaching for over 25 years. In addition to being the Head Coach of Salle Kiss in Manchester, England for many years, Coach Robert was the Head Coach of the Chen Xi fencing club in China for several years. He was the Director of Fencing for China Game is on Fencing Centre in Shanghai from 2020-2022.
Coach Robert is passionate about teaching and supports the fencing journeys of students of all ages and experience levels. He believes in building strong foundations upon which lasting progress can be made. You can meet Coach Robert at the club throughout the week and he is available for private lessons Mondays through Saturdays.
Coach
Braden Saito
Coach Braden started out as a student at SCFC in 2007 and has been passionate about the sport ever since. He has many years of experience fencing in the national circuit, competing and training across the country prior to graduating high school. During his time competing, he was ranked in the top 25 of Y14 Men's Foil fencers nationally. Braden went on to study Computer Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he volunteered as the foil coach for the school's fencing program.
Braden is a certified Moniteur de Foil by the United States Fencing Coaches Association. He has a patient and analytical approach to coaching his students. Coach Braden loves working with fencers of all ages and skill levels.
Coach
Torrey Burgess
Coach Torrey started fencing at age 11 and the sport has been with him ever since. His broad history in fencing spans all aspects of the sport, enabling him to bring a unique perspective to coaching. He has been a successful competitor, referee and coach, as well as a respected armorer and tournament organizer.
As a competitor, Torrey earned ratings and won medals in every weapon. He was nationally ranked in foil and saber throughout his career and was 2005 Pacific Coast Champion in Junior Saber. In high school, Torrey was a 4 year varsity fencer and holds a number of All-Conference awards and championships. In addition to his individual achievements, Torrey was a member of several Senior Pacific Coast team finalists as well as Junior Team Foil Champion.
With a unique experience and appreciation for fencing, Torrey enjoys sharing that knowledge with his students and has a genuine interest in providing a tailored approach that suits each fencer. Training under Maestro Buzz Hurst in San Diego, Torrey holds coaching credentials from the United States Fencing Coaches Association. He has worked with fencers of all ages and skill levels. His former students include Youth 12 and Youth 14 regional finalists as well as Cadet and Junior high school champions.
Be sure to say "Hi" and introduce yourself when you see Coach Torrey around the club!
Coach
Natalia Gyuricska (Fitness)
Coach Natalia is a qualified Physical Education teacher with a degree is Physical Education Teaching and Sports Management. She is a certified coach through the British Fencing Association and has taught fitness and physical development for many years. Coach Natalia runs our Strength and Conditioning Programs as well as co-managing physical development through our various fencing programs at the Center. She also has a degree in Marketing and assists with Center management and community outreach.
You can meet Coach Natalia at the Center throughout the week. She believes strongly in building a healthy and lasting bond between students and the coaching staff at the Center. She is always available to chat about your fitness goals, personal developmental goals and aspirations as well as ways to reach out to our greater Orange County community to promote our sport.