The Paddy Crean workshop is the flagship event of the International Order of the Sword and Pen (IOSP) and took place from 28 December 2008 – 3 January 2009 at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada. 

The IOSP is an international organisation dedicated to the study and practice of stage combat for theatre, film and television. Prominent stage combat instructors and practitioners frequent the Paddy Crean workshops, for example Bob Goodwin (trained Christian Bale for Batman Begins), Tony Wolf (cultural fighting styles for Lord of the Rings), Brad Waller (Shakespeare Theatre Washington), David Bouchey (in the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame) and more. As in previous years, the event was well attended and drew presenters and participants from across the globe. 

Stage combat is part of the undergraduate curriculum at the Department of Drama and the workshop/symposium allowed students to develop their skills and locate their training in a broader context. The praise that students received from various instructors and other participants stands testimony to their being good ambassadors for Drama and the university.

At the event, Prof Marié-Heleen Coetzee, Head of Department, was awarded the Paddy Crean Award from the IOSP for her research on Zulu stick fighting and stage combat, and her contribution to the IOSP. Tiloshne Govender, Luan Jacobs and Dillion Naicker received the award on behalf of Prof Coetzee.