5 Star Rating: I love this book! An absolute must to help you navigate your way around the world of fencing. Divided up into logical and well written chapters. the book takes you from an introduction to fencing and the basic kit your child will need through to fencing rules, how to the get the best out of training, researching the best club and coach for your child through to a glossary of fencing terms. It also covers how to support your child as they start competing right through to what to expect at international competitions. I can't recommend this book highly enough. ~ , Amazon

4 Star Rating: An excellent parent guide for anyone whose child is keen on progressing in high performance sport , not just fencing. Also a really useful guide as an intro to the intriguing and wonderful sport of fencing. ~ Rosalind Whitelegg, Amazon

…a must read for every parent whose child has started to fence. It answers many of the questions that a parent new to the sport might have. Whether or not your child does make it all the way from ‘Last to First’, this book will help you to ensure the experience your child has in fencing, is the best it can possibly be. ~ Georgina Usher CEO, British Fencing and Grand Prix Epee finalist

As a young fencer who was (and still is!) incredibly passionate about his sport, this comprehensive and intelligent breakdown of how to get the best start in training and competition would have helped me and my family to jump many hurdles and avoid many pitfalls! Full of useful information and insights built up over years of top-level coaching, this is a very valuable resource for any young fencer and their parents. ~ James Honeybone, 2012 Olympian & British Sabre Champion

Fencing has become a way of life for our family, and our daughters have benefited so much from the experience. They have become excellent at managing their time, have developed an outstanding work ethic, and have confidence in themselves and their work. They have made friends all over the world through fencing, and the sport has helped both our daughters to attend world-class universities while continuing to fence for their university and country. There is no doubt that this amazing sport, and the conscientious and structured way in which they were introduced to it and have been coached, has had a huge positive impact on our daughter’s lives, and will continue to do so for many years to come. This book documents much of the process we and many other families have been through, and clarifies some of the mysteries fencing parents face! ~ Richard Chart and Margie Mascolino, Parents of Yvonne Chart (Foil) and Maria Chart (Sabre)

Jon Salfield and Daniela Norris' book ”From Last to First” provides comprehensive answers to both parents and young fencers regarding their journey in our sport from the beginning. The book reads easily and is full of detailed knowledge which should help in raising the standard and speeding up development of young fencers. The right kind of parental support is crucial in the participation and success of young people in every sport and this book captures the very specific requirements for fencing, many of them unique. Such a publication is long overdue and I would recommend this excellent work to every parent and young fencer entering this romantic sport. ~ Ziemek Wojciechowski, GB Olympic Foil Coach

For the young fencer it is very important to start in the right way, with good technique, good footwork and the right mentality. This book explains very clearly the right way to think about fencing and training, and is full of the experience of sabre coach Jon Salfield, who is well-known and respected on the international circuit. From Last to First is very important reading for any young fencer and their parent in any weapon. ~ Peter Frohlich. Olympic and World championship medal-winning coach, Hungary