The Marrickville Marauders have been training fencers of all ages at Marrickville PCYC since 2009. This year, two of their wonderful athletes will be travelling to Dubai and representing Marrickville in the Australian National Men's Sabre and National Women's Sabre fencing teams. These two Marrickville locals, Gaia Hardge and Daniel Iliffe. Not only is this Daniel's first time competing overseas, but both athletes attend public high schools here in the inner west and are funding all training and travel costs themselves – certainly no mean feat for a teenager. Of course, the success of any athlete is also due to the many people behind the scenes supporting them. Congratulations to the families of these terrific young people, to head coach of the Marrickville Marauders Jess Brooks, and to all coaches and volunteers at the club on this wonderful story of achievement. Local sporting clubs like the Marauders foster the aspirations of young people and provide extraordinary opportunities like those Gaia and Daniel are about the embark upon. Congratulations Gaia and Daniel - I wish you all the best for your competitions. The inner west is proudly cheering you on.