SENIORS GBR GUIDE

There are a number of Senior events held in the UK (these are called ‘domestic’ events).

Some of these events are eligible for BF Senior ranking points. Most often these are the competitions that called ‘Senior Opens’.   Unlike the U17 and U20 ranking events, anyone can run a senior ranking event provided they meet certain criteria. This results in more competition opportunities throughout the full year, not necessarily aligned with international selection dates.

The number of ranking points available depends on the strength of the event and the final placing of the fencer.

Fencers should not be competing in all the events that have ranking points on offer. They should choose which of these events they want to compete in. Choices should be supported/informed by personal coaches and, if they are looking to improve and or be selected for a major championships, their Individual Athlete Development Plans (see below).

Fencers wanting to get selected for GBR at major events (Europeans and Worlds) need to fence in nominated Senior international events and achieve qualification standards in these events. Due to international governing body (FIE) entry restrictions there is a selection process for nominated FIE Senior internationals (World Cups and Grand Prix). For World Cups and Grand Prixs it will be a fencer’s BF ranking that is the main selection factor. (Discretionary information here)

Unlike Juniors, Senior nominated events—excluding the majors—are not managed GBR events (i.e., BF does not arrange accommodation, there will not be a Team Manager, and only occasionally, funding dependent, will there be a GBR coach). Senior fencers are expected to travel to Nominated Senior events independently or in self-managed squad groups. U18 fencers are expected to be accompanied by parents in a loco-parentis capacity.

Importantly:

• Selections for major events are not based on BF rankings; they are based on performances and qualification standards.
• Major events, like Juniors, are also managed by the GBR squad events. The expectations for athletes, personal coaches, and the role of parents can be slightly different in different places. More information can be found here.

• ADP – Athlete Development Programme (also known as the ‘GBR Pathway Programme) – ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ZONE
• BF – British Fencing
• BRC – British Ranking Competition
• Cadet – U17 – AGE GROUP DEFINITIONS
• EFC – European Fencing Confederation
• FIE – Federation Internationale d’Escrime
• Junior – U20 – AGE GROUP DEFINITION
• Major Events – European Championships, World Championships
• Senior – Age 13 and over – AGE GROUP DEFINITION
• Sport:80 – the BF membership and events platform
• UKAD – UK Anti-Doping Agency
• WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency

Weekly news – sign up to the weekly news here. All important announcements will be made through the news posts.

Membership – Make sure you have a valid compete level membership on auto renew to ensure that you are eligible for selection.

Your Contact Details – Selection invitations will get sent to the email saved in the fencer’s profile in the BF Sport:80 platform. If you don’t read them regularly and you miss invitations other fencers will get invited and take the selection place. Use an email address you regularly check.

Our Contact Details—We have a number of monitored shared mailboxes to support our members. Knowing which one to use when will help us answer your queries efficiently—CONTACT US—BRITISH FENCING. Please bear in mind that we aren’t a large organisation—around 25 full—and part-time staff members cover every aspect of the work that we do.

Nationality – All fencers wishing to be selected or entered by British Fencing must hold a Full Great Britain Passport or a British Nationality/Citizenship certificate.

Planning – There are a number of additional resources that are available on the BF website that can be used to support a fencer’s development. If you are looking for international GBR selection you must have an IADP – individual athlete development plan – IADP – INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PLAN . At the start of a your representative career this might have been something that your parent(s) and your personal coach worked together on.  If you are competing internationally as a Senior you should be able to work directly with your personal coach and by the time you are 21 you should be leading this process.

If you don’t yet have an IADP, at a minimum use the published calendars to plan the season with your coach – COMPETITION CALENDARS FOR GBR SELECTION. Don’t forget to tell your personal coach if you are aiming for selection (even if you only decide this mid-season), as they will be able to help you navigate the processes and ensure that they are planning the season around your goals.

• Approve and publish the calendar of Senior Open Competitions and nominated Senior international events for the season. This latter is dependent on the availability of the final international calendars to come out (earliest in April for season start in September). These can still be subject to late changes by the FIE so you are encourage to avoid making un-refundable travel and accommodation until the organisers have confirmed dates/venues.
• Update (based on annual consultation and subsequent Board approval) Selection Policies and Ranking Policies.
• Administer the rankings according to the approved BF Ranking policy.
• Confirm athlete GBR eligibility (checking full UK Passport or British Citizen certificate) and administrate FIE license applications.
• Administer selection process according to the BF approved selection policy and in accordance with the GBR Selection timelines for international competitions.
• The FIE and competition organisers are responsible for organising referees for Senior World Cups and Grand Prixs. Where fencers wish to compete in other events where there are requirements, (eg FIE Satellites), BF will provide fencers with referee contact details.
• Enter fencers to FIE events (both individual and teams) once final lists are confirmed and payments made
• Administrate late entries, withdrawals, charges and fines.
• Update the destination travel guides based on feedback.
• Designate the official GBR tracksuits (which may vary depending on squad) and make them available for purchase.

Majors Only:

• Run squads to Senior European and World Championships. (see section below) – this includes booking accommodation for the squad based on BF set entry and exit points.
• Collate ‘in loco parentis’ forms for any U18s.

(Where an athlete is U18 the parent may be taking on this administration. All parents acting on behalf of GBR fencers should have a BF Membership, minimum supporter level.)

Athlete Admin Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate contact details and update on the Sport80 platform
• Ensure you are on an auto-renewing compete level membership (avoids breaks in membership which can lead to selection ineligibility)
• Provide prompt replies (accept or decline) to the selection notice, with immediate payment if accepting the place. Until payment is made in full, a place is not considered accepted and will in most cases be offered automatically to the reserves after the deadline stated in the email.
• Notify BF immediately of any changes, illnesses or injuries.
• Ensuring that your sport:80 profile is up to date with any information on disabilities or long term medical information.  If we don’t know about disabilities we can’t make any reasonable adjustments.
• Obtain an annual FIE licence before the start of the International season (usually around August/September)  – FIE/EFC LICENCES – BRITISH FENCING.
• Arrange personal travel and accommodation
• Purchase adequate personal travel insurance ensuring that it covers competing in an amateur fencing competition abroad.
• Ensure you have a valid passport and visa to travel (if required).
• Provide a medical certificate on request if you have to withdraw at late notice through a medical reason (or pay the relevant fines).
• Ensure that you (and anyone travelling with you in a coach or supporter capacity) is aware of the BF Codes of Conduct and the EFC Code of Conduct (based on the FIE Safeguarding Policy) and the importance of complying with them.
• If U18, check any accompanying parents undertake UKAD mandatory courses and Safeguarding for parents.
• Undertake UKAD mandatory courses
• Check all medication in GlobalDRO and take follow up action for any banned medication.
• Check the competition reglements – to be found on the FIE website in the competition section. Make sure you find out times of the competition, weapon check times, location and format eg number of poules, cut etc.
• Keep up to date with changing event information – bookmark the BF selection notice for each event you are are selected for, bookmark the web pages for major events.
• Purchase tracksuit and patches in accordance with the designated rules
• U18s – unless the parent authorises and arrange independent travel, parents should arrange for them (or a guardian/nominated in loco parentis individual) to accompany their child.

• Explain to fencers the requirements for BF Membership and EFC/FIE licences.
• Remind fencers (and parents of U18s) to share information around disability, illness and injuries with BF.
• Encourage prompt responses to selection invitations.
• Ensure that the fencer (and anyone travelling with them eg club coaches) is aware of the BF Codes of Conduct and the FIE Rules including the FIE Safeguarding Policy and the importance of complying with them.
• Signpost/remind parents and fencers of the UKAD mandatory course and using GlobalDRO.
• Signpost travelling supporters (parents) to Safeguarding for parents training.
• Help parents and fencers navigate the BF & FIE website
• Help explain the kit requirements (more info below).
• Support the fencer (and parent if U18) to create and manage the fencer’s IADP
• Encourage a healthy approach to nutrition in accordance with BF guidance
• Remind fencers about competition formats, how to read a poule sheet, DE, and navigate the standard websites used by international competition organisers eg Fencing Time Live  and Engarde.
• Remind fencers of the rules of the sport, particularly in relation to t.170 (Technical Book).
• Encourage fencers to use competitions as opportunities to develop independence and resilience and if necessary work with parents to support this in happening.
• If you are a personal coach looking to attend internationals work with the BF team (eg attending prep camps), ensure all your minimum standards are in place, ensure your fencers have up to date IADPs and complete any accreditation procedures in a timely manner.
• Help support and advise on good warmup, cool-down and recovery practices (if these aren’t done in club properly they won’t be done in competition!)

There are Minimum Age Rules 

For domestic (BF licenced) events and FIE Senior events fencers must be age 13 or over on the day of the competition.

Fencers are ranked by category (Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior), weapon (foil, epee, or sabre) and competition gender (Men’s, Women’s).

Rankings are published here. 

Rankings are calculated from ranking points earned in competitions. The number of points earned depends on the strength of the competition and the fencer’s placing.

There are ranking policies that describe how the strength is defined and how the rankings are calculated.

BF POLICIES – RANKING SCHEME 

For Seniors, the ranking is a rolling ranking. This means that ranking points awarded in a particular competition expire approximately 1 year later – the specifics around this are set out in the scheme.

It is very important that athletes, parents and coaches don’t make assumptions about selection in relation to BF Ranking, specifically in regards to selection for major championships (eg European and Worlds). Please check the selection policy for information – GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

FIE Senior World Cup and Grand Prix Events

The International Fencing Federation (the FIE) has a series of Senior events held around the world known as the FIE Senior World Cup and Grand Prix circuit. These normally start in November and will continue at least until the Senior World Championships held in July after which the international senior season is considered over.

Senior World Cups are single weapon events – individual (maximum 12 athletes) and team (1 team per country) event. The individual event will happen on Day 1 (Preliminaries – poules and elimination) and Day 2 (L64) with Day 3 being the team event.

Senior Grand Prix are only individual events with a maximum of 12 athletes. Often countries host the men’s and women’s Grand Prix event at the same time over a 3 day period.

Athletes are required to have an FIE licence (GBR) to be entered and all entries must go through the athlete’s National Federation, which for British fencers is British Fencing.

There are rules that the FIE put in place which restrict the number of athletes/teams that can be entered. There are also entry deadlines and rules about withdrawals. The FIE fines can be considerable – up to 500 euros for late entries/withdrawals.

Unless there is a security reason (based on advice from the BF Security Officer), BF designates all of these World Cup and Grand Prix events as ‘nominated’ events in which performances can contribute to selection for Major Events.

For nominated Senior World Cup and Grand Prix events:

• Performances in these competitions will count for selection to the European and World Championships.
• BF will select individuals and teams (World Cup Only)
• BF will appoint GBR coaches (funding dependent)

If you have concerns about your ability (or that of your child) to manage the Senior squad environment please contact GBR_Support@britishfencing.com before accepting selection.

Senior European Championships

Normally held in June the Senior European Championships has an individual and team event. Up to 4 athletes can compete in each (individual and team) event and how they are selected are set out in GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES.

For these events, athletes are expected to travel (entry and exit) according to the BF published schedule, which take into account the additional requirements surrounding these events.

Fencers must have an FIE licence (GBR) to compete at this event.

FIE Senior World Championships

Normally held in July (except in the Olympic year, where the Games replace the Championships) the Senior World Championships has an individual and team event. Up to 4 athletes can compete in each (individual and team) event and how they are selected are set out in GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES.

Fencers must have an FIE licence (GBR) to compete at this event.

For these events, athletes are expected to travel (entry and exit) according to the BF published schedule, which take into account the additional requirements surrounding these events.

FIE Satellite events are international events that are available for direct entry provided you meet a certain eligibility and ranking standard. There are BF ranking points available for fencers that compete in these events but performances will not count for Senior European and World Championships.

There are entry limits and requirements to provide referees above a certain number of athletes (or pay a fine).

If you want to be entered for a an FIE Satellite please complete this form GBR INDIVIDUAL ENTRY FORM TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.

BF will let you know if a referee is needed – your club/coach should be able to connect you with referees in the community who might be available and BF can provide referee contact details on request.

Yes, the FIE set out the rules for minimum equipment standards.  If you aren’t sure whether your kit complies the best place to start is by asking your fencing coach.

FIE AND EFC EQUIPMENT RULES

DOMESTIC VARIATIONS FROM FIE RULES 

INTERNATIONAL FENCING CHECKLIST 

Equipment will normally be checked by some form of weapon control at the event – GBR GUIDE TO WEAPON CHECK

FIE Weapon Control  – Your safety is our mission! (youtube.com)

INTERNATIONAL FENCING CHECKLIST

BF publishes a series of TRAVEL GUIDES designed to support people travelling to competitions, particularly where international events are held in the same place each year.

We rely on community feedback to keep these up to date. Please email GBR_Support@britishfencing.com if you have any information or suggestions for inclusion.

There are a variety of ways that you can track your individual progress and this should be done regularly with your coach as part of managing your IADP.

You can track your rankings on the websites – BF Rankings or FIE Rankings.

BF also publishes:

• Individual Performance Data
• ATHLETES OR TEAMS MEETING THE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

The FIE and Ophardt also publish individual athlete biographies – which show head to head results.

You (or your parent if U18) should let us know as soon as you can.

Ongoing issues should be recorded in Sport:80 – and you will be asked for permission to share these with competition organisers. This is very important. There are many hidden disabilities that BF and competitions organisers can put in support mechanisms for – but only if they know!

When you are selected for a managed squad event (eg Senior Euros/Worlds) you will be asked to complete a form which will ask you about any injury/illness/disability. We need you (or if U18 your parent) to tell us about these so we can help manage and support you. We appreciate that sometimes athletes are worried that informing us of an injury or illness may impact their selection status. However an athlete’s welfare is paramount and should not be neglected (and if the athlete is U18 there exists an enhanced duty of care).

If an athlete is taking any form of medication they must check  https://globaldro.com/Home and apply for TUEs as appropriate. More information here: Anti-Doping

The FIE has a safeguarding framework in place which sit alongside the welfare structure in the UK.

All athletes travelling to FIE competitions must undergo anti-doping training and be familiar with the FIE and BF  Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

In addition, it is mandated that all people in positions of authority over athletes representing GBR must undergo safeguarding and anti-doping training.

This means that parents travelling with U18s (or any parent that plays a role in supplying or advising on medications to their child) must also undertake training as the strict liability principle means that actions of parents cannot be used as an excuse.

Anti-Doping Information

Testing Process for Minors | UK Anti-Doping (ukad.org.uk)

With regards to safeguarding, the FIE is working hard to eliminate athlete abuse and harassment. However there will be times that you might witness athletes being treated in a way that we (BF, EFC, FIE) would consider unacceptable. It is important to understand how everyone can play their part in reporting such instances. In addition there is a risk that people might look at how some top performing athletes are being treated in different countries and cultures and this that this might be something they themselves would need to accept, copy or role model.

GBR SELECTIONS – MANDATORY SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

FIE Safeguarding

FIE Rules

One of the most important documents in the world of GBR fencing is the GBR Selection Policy. This is published every season, and changes are consulted on with the community.

The Policy is published here: GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The people involved in administering GBR representational activities can be found here: GBR CONTACTS & SELECTION PANELS.

It’s important to understand the process that sits behind selection – there is an assumption that selections are done immediately on the date that the rankings are closed, however the administration is more complicated – GBR SELECTION TIMELINE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

For coaches and parents new to the selection process we have published some specific GBR Selection Advice and Guidance for Parents and Coaches. This advice includes: Read selection policies, input into consultations, don’t make assumptions about the calendar, prepare for non selection, don’t make ‘supporter’ travel plans too early, prepare for selection (money and logistical planning), check-in with coaches mid-season, help maintain individual athlete development plans, and what to do (and not to do!) if your child isn’t selected.

No you don’t, but if an you are serious about wanting to represent GBR at major events it is strongly advised.

The purpose of the GBR Pathway Programme (previously called the ADP – which stands for Athlete Development Programme) is to support and develop GBR athletes to international success.

Every athlete that is close to being selected for a Cadet or Junior European or World Championships will be invited onto the GBR Pathway Programme. For Seniors (if they are not already on the pathway) invitations to join the pathway will be based on evidential trajectory to Olympic success and review of the their IADP.

The GBR Pathway delivers athlete development support and education both in person (through camps) and online (zoom sessions). The GBR Pathway curriculum is designed to accelerate individual and team performance development, build relationships with other athletes and coaches, and support welfare and sport integrity.

Most of the GBR pathway activities are subsidised by Sport England Talent funding, hence why the in-person camps are typically held in England.

Yes, you have to compete at the corresponding National Championships – so if you want to compete at Senior internationals, you need to compete in the Senior National Championships or the British Senior Open (Seniors only).

There are some circumstances under which athletes can apply for an exemption.

For information, please read GBR Pre-requisites – National Championships.

Yes, you can appeal, but you must know the circumstances under which you can do so.

Where athletes have failed to meet published qualification standards, there are minimal circumstances under which they can appeal. More information can be found here: GBR SELECTION APPEALS POLICY 

Please also read GBR Selection Advice and Guidance for Parents and Coaches.

Yes, for Senior nominated events BF do not provide Team Managers.

More information:

GBR PARENTS AT FIE COMPETITIONS

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM A GBR ATHLETE IN COMPETITION

There are a basic set of responsibilities that all athletes representing GBR internationally at Senior level are expected to be able to deliver on.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM A GBR ATHLETE IN COMPETITION 

1. Personal accountability: athletes are expected to be personally accountable for their own behaviour and understand the codes of conduct.  GBR athletes are expected to behave like performance athletes and in doing so act as ambassadors and role models for the sport, inspiring others with their achievements.
2. Kit (weapons and clothing): athletes are expected to turn up with fully functioning kit, compliant with current FIE rules, and understand how to test, diagnose and fix basic weapon issues with tools they have brought themselves. They should also be able to get kitted up by themselves and pack their own fencing bags.
3. Nutrition: athletes are expected to be able to manage their own food and drink intake and have a basic understanding of their personal needs in regards to fuelling and hydrating before, during and after competitions.
4. Warm-up, cool downs and recovery protocols – athletes are expected to have their own protocols that they have developed with the support of their personal coach and practiced at training and in non GBR competitions.
5. Medication: athletes must understand the rules on anti-doping and the concept of Strict Liability. Athletes must also take personal responsibility for taking their own medication (learning to check in the Global DROportal and TUEs may be required in advance.
6. Competition format: athletes should know how a competition is run. They should be able to read and understand poule sheets and tableaus. They should be confident in navigating the standard websites used by international competition organisers eg Fencing Time Live  and Engarde
7. Independence: athletes should not need a parent (or coach) at the end of the piste to feel OK to fence. It is becoming increasingly common that poules take place in areas where supporters and coaches are not permitted at the end of the piste. Athletes should also be able to focus on the match they fence in without the last question to the coach or thought in their head being ‘Where’s my mum/dad?’.
8. Follow instructions and rules: rules are there for a reason, and being part of a GBR squad, and participating in an international federation event means following the rules (whether these are put in place by BF/EFC/FIE/Local event organisers), respecting authority and adapting behaviour where necessary. This can be anything from respecting accreditation areas, wearing team tracksuits to not drinking alcohol.
9. Understand the rules of fencing: This sounds obvious but far too many athletes are unaware of rules and particularly penalties. This can lead to athletes losing hits and arguing unnecessarily with FIE referees which can have negative consequences for other GBR athletes too. Parents (even if they are themselves internationally qualified referees) should not interfere and argue with referees! The rulebooks are available in English, in PDF and as an app. Athletes on the GBR Pathway programme will be encouraged to get basic qualifications in refereeing so they can better understand the rules of the sport.

There are rules and conventions/choices laid out here:

GBR LOGOS, COUNTRY CODE, TRACKSUITS – BRITISH FENCING

Athletes qualifying for major events will be provided with a password for the BF Championship range tracksuits which must be worn for these events.

At FIE events full GBR tracksuits must be worn on podiums (no shorts, leggings etc).

First of all there is no requirement for a personal coach to travel to all events.

Reason’s include:

• It is costly – there are plenty of development experiences that a fencer can have without their coach needing to be present.
• It can limit development – athletes need to learn to make independent decisions and problem solve on the piste and developing an over reliance on a coach particularly at an early age can limit future development.
• It can sometimes distract or put additional stress on athletes which can result in poorer performances.
• Not all coaches will get accreditation for major event, and in some major events coaches will not be permitted near pistes for the poules so an athlete must become accustomed to competing without their personal coach present.

When personal coaches do wish to travel there are mandatory requirements and they may need accreditation (rules set by FIE). Personal coaches are also expected to be supporting the fencer’s development through managing the IAPD along with the fencer and their parent/guardian.

For FIE Senior World Cup events, BF will sometimes appoint GBR Coaches (funding dependent) usually to support the team event. Personal coaches (that meet BF & FIE standards) should apply for accreditation if they wish to travel.

For Senior Euros/Worlds there will be official GBR Coach appointments made . And in some cases personal coaches will be permitted and accredited to attend for individual events.

More information: COACH ACCREDITATION

Personal Coach – Behaviours and Responsibilities

It is the expectation of BF that if a coach wants to support a fencer in a GBR squad that they are prepared to engage/communicate with the BF team throughout the preceding season and follow the processes that we lay out and attend any associated camps for the team. This isn’t just about how they support the athlete, it’s also about the impact that their presence can have on the other athletes. Particularly if the coach themselves requires a lot of guidance and support from the BF team (staff and coaches) which detracts from the resources available to support everyone else.

If your personal coach is not already engaged with BF (eg attending ADP/GBR camps) during the season and you think you might want them to accompany you to a major championships please discuss this with them as early as possible in the season and encourage them to reach out to us and get involved.

There are not enough accreditations for every athlete to have their personal coach attend and priority will be given to those athletes targeting medals and those coaches that can demonstrate an existing ability to collaborate and be part of the GBR coaching team and are actively managing IADPs for their fencers.

Personal coaches that don’t meet the minimum standards to support international fencers (safeguarding, checks, anti-doping) will not be accredited.

When a GBR Pathway Coach is appointed by BF to be a GBR Coach at a Senior World Cup/GP, they will take responsibility for the following:

• Collaborating with personal coaches to agree coaching support for the individual event
• Making decisions with regards to coaching and support for the team events
• Making any changes to the team line ups where required
• Support for GB athletes in relation to the team event
• Arranging a team briefing and de brief before and after the team event

In some cases coaches will only be acting as GBR Coaches for the Team event. In that case they will not be responsible for:

• coaching fencers in the individual event (these coaches will likely have responsibility for their own club athletes on individual event days which maybe financially supported by those clubs/athletes in private arrangements)
• any team manager duties such as transfers, accommodation etc

Where logistically possible, the team manager may also be able to support coaching for events other than the Majors. In some cases, where only a small squad travels, the Team Manager and Lead GBR coach may be the same person.

Where they are not, the Team Manager will work with the Lead GBR coach regarding coaching activities. This may involve the following:

• Setting up a WhatsApp communication group for the trip.
• Collecting entry money for teams from fencers, where required.
• Being a point of contact for the competition organisers.
• Making any changes to the team line-ups where required
• Administrative point of contact for GB athletes and parents during the event.
• Arranging a team briefing and debrief before and after the team event
• Any team manager’s additional duties, such as transfers, accommodation, etc, where applicable.

They will not be responsible for:

• coaching fencers
• Athletes personal responsibilities

Athletes selected to compete at a Major Championship are expected to be resilient, operate independently, and communicate effectively without the support of their coaches or parents. They are also expected to work within a performance squad, and their behaviours should not negatively impact their other teammates or staff.

If the athlete is under 18, parents will not be able to:

1. Stay in the same accommodation
2. Take their child in and out of the accommodation or away from the group activities.
3. Interrupt the coaching staff, especially when working, like on a school trip. There will be a designated point of parent contact.

A guide on what to expect can be found here.

Some of the administration and activities (camps, sending coaches to events) that supports the U17 and U20 activities is funded by Sport England as part of the Sport England Talent funding.

British Fencing does not have it’s own resources to fund athletes – to do so membership fees for everyone involved in fencing would have to increase considerably. As the NGB we can support athletes with funding applications and signpost athletes to opportunities that they can apply for:

ATHLETE FUNDING & SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES – BRITISH FENCING