A decade of dominance: Stafford’s golden return cements finalist spot

In the demanding world of competitive fencing, Marton’s Tim Stafford has engineered a season for the ages. At 49, Stafford’s recent selection as a finalist for the prestigious PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year award is a testament not to a fading legacy, but to a reign redefined.

His 2025 campaign stands as a masterclass in sustained excellence, a phenomenal comeback that saw him reclaim the sport’s summit a full decade after first conquering it.

Stafford’s year was a stunning treble of elite victories, underscoring a versatility and skill level that places him in a class of his own. He and his doubles partner, Jeff Joines, first secured the Silver Spades championship in a showcase of seamless teamwork and tactical brilliance. Stafford then carried New Zealand’s fencing standards onto the global stage, triumphing at the prestigious East Coast Fencing Rivalry in Virginia, USA. The crowning jewel, however, was a historic domestic victory. After a ten-year gap, Stafford once again claimed the Golden Pliers by defeating the country’s finest competitors in a gruelling test of skill and nerve.

This victory transcends a mere trophy. It highlights a journey of profound dedication. Winning the Golden Pliers once defines a career; winning it again a decade later, while simultaneously claiming national and international doubles honours, speaks to remarkable consistency, evolving technique, and an undimmed competitive drive. Stafford has seamlessly grown from champion to custodian of the sport he loves. Now serving as the voluntary Chairperson of the NZ Fencing Competitions Committee, he dedicates countless hours to guiding, developing, and upholding the best practices that will ensure the sport’s future.

Beyond the fence line, Stafford is a regenerative farmer on 200 hectares of sheep and beef country, an endeavour that shares fencing’s core values of stewardship and resilience. This holistic life, balanced with pursuits like social mountain biking, fuels the competitive spirit recognised by the Rural Sports Awards judges.

As announced for the landmark 2026 Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards at Awapuni Racecourse, Stafford stands alongside wood chopping’s Jack Jordan and sheep dog trialist Leo Jecentho as a finalist for the top male honour. On the evening of the awards ceremony, Olympians Emily Sherman and Sarah Walker will provide further information, and the recipients of both the Contribution and Legacy awards will also be announced, alongside Women’s, Youth, and Disability Rural Sportsperson of the Year awards.

Written by: Daniel O'Regan

Photo credit NZFC

© Fencing Contractors Association NZ (FCANZ)

Published in WIRED issue 80/March 2026 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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