She is preparing for her first international competition at the renowned Challenge Wratislavia event in Poland after making her mark in the English championships.
Eilidh, from Langton Green, won a bronze medal in the National Grand Final of the Elite Epee Junior Series in Peterborough in the Under-10s category.
The Elite Epee Junior Series is a league which takes place across the country throughout the year, with the top eight in the rankings qualifying for the Grand Final.
Eilidh fences at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club and was joined by another local prospect, Alexander Lambert of Tonbridge School, at the final.
She took up the sport at the age of eight, inspired by her mother Valerie Cramb, who used to compete for Scotland and Great Britain.
She said: “My mum used to fence so I wanted to give it a go. I went to a trial course and really liked it so I haven’t stopped.
“I go to a good club in Tunbridge Wells, which is really friendly. Fencing is fast, exciting and fun, and I have made lots of friends.”
Eilidh, who is now part of the RTW Advanced Junior Squad, will be taking part in her first international competition in Wroclaw in March, in the Under-11 Girls’ Epee.
Valerie won the British Championships in her youth and went on to represent Scotland at four Commonwealth Championships, winning a team medal in all of them and an individual silver medal in 2002.
She was also part of the Great Britain team at the World Student Games and then three World Championships. After she retired she became the Scotland team’s manager for eight years.
Valerie said: “I got into fencing through school in Scotland. It enabled me to be part of some great teams, travel the world and make some long-lasting friendships.
“To succeed in fencing, like any sport, takes a lot of training, dedication and commitment.
“It would be great if Eilidh went on to get as much enjoyment and sense of achievement from the sport as I did.
“But she is still young and also swims at RTW Monson, plays netball and attends Italia Conti [Academy of Theatre Arts] – so who knows what direction she will take?
“It’s important that Eilidh is doing something she enjoys, and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club is a friendly, welcoming club.”
The club is held in the Territorial Army Centre on St John’s Road on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Junior beginners’ classes are available on Sundays from 10-11.30am and Mondays from 6.30-7.30pm, while adult beginners’ sessions are on Thursdays from 7.30-8.30pm.
For more information visit rtwfencingclub.com
