ALCESTER Grammar School pupils, brothers Tom and Richard Brenda, who train at the Centre of Excellence at King Edward VI School, Stratford, have been selected for the British team to compete in the sabre discipline at the World Youth Championships in Sicily next month.

The brothers, both 16, qualified for the team by competing in top level events both at home and abroad. Both are ranked in the top 30 senior men in Britain and have already represented the West Midlands at senior level.

Richard and Tom started the season in September in the top three places of the cadet (Under-17) national ranking list. Richard was in second place and throughout the season stretched his lead over the third position.

Tom was always involved in a struggle with Harry Moncrieff, another 16-year-old from Edinburgh. The pair had been within one per cent of each other until they faced one another in the last international of the season when the Alcester teenager saw off his rival 15-7.

The Centre is now getting into gear to prepare the young blades for their world debut, and their training will shift up a gear.

Helping them in the run up to Italy will be world team members from last year, Robin Allen (17) from Stratford (KES) and 18-year-old Peter Kirby from North Littleton, whose father Peter will act as a coach to the squad.

England youth fencers and KES pupils, Tom and Richard's brother, David Brenda (18) and 16-year-old Thomas Musgrave from Clifford Chambers will be in support as well.

Musgrave and the eldest of the Brenda brothers join the England sabre team this weekend for a Home International against Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

The announcement of the new sports centre at Alcester Grammar School will help future fencing stars from the school, but will come to late of course for Richard and Thomas in their bid for a result at this year's championships.

Their selection makes it eight consecutive years that the Levi Fox Hall establishment has produced team members for the British three-man teams going to Worlds - a truly marvellous achievement.