Jacob Gander-Compton of the Sandwich-based Invicta Fencing Club makes his Great Britain debut in France this weekend.

Jacob, 13, will represent GB in an under-15 sabre international at Moneteau on Sunday but his achievement is all the more impressive as he has only competed in two competitions to win selection.

Jacob, from Chestfield, near Whitstable, was recently involved in the South East Sabre and Epee Championships and made the last 32 in the men’s sabre.

Invicta coach Grant Dickenson, meanwhile, failed in his bid to secure a hat-trick of sabre titles after coming third.

Newcomer Ian Stewart showed plenty of promise for the future with ninth place and Henry Davis joined Gander-Compton in the last 32.

There was a title for the club to celebrate, however, after Invicta’s head coach Kate Morwell-Neave won the women’s epee crown for the third successive year.

Morwell-Neave beat clubmate and pupil Lydia Fuller in the quarter-finals, Sara Clark in the semis and Maidstone’s former champion Nicola Hull in the final 15-14.

Kate Morwell-Neave, Lydia Fuller and Jacob Gander-Compton are all in need of sponsorship. Anyone who can help should call Kate on 01304 813687 or 07974 046335.