Academy FAQs
Q. How do I apply for the Summer camp?
All fencers, including those on the selection-by-ranking list, will need to complete the online application for the National Academy Summer camp at http://britishfencing.com/academy/academy-talent-development/
The deadline for this is 27th May 2011
Q. What is the cost of the Summer camp?
The full price of the Summer Academy is £465 of which you need to pay in instalments. At this time we require a deposit of £65 and we require the remanding £400 by 1st July.
Funding options are available for the National Academy programme. If you would like to apply for this support please write to Ben Campion at British Fencing: ben.campion@britishfencing.com marking the subject “Private and Confidential”. Your enquiry will be handled discreetly and we will provide you with further details of the application process.
Q. Who can apply for the Summer camp?
All fencers born 94, 95, 96 or 97.
Q. Where is it taking place?
The camp will take place at Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS. http://bit.ly/9p5xqx
Q. What are the start & finish times?
Sunday 7th August, check-in at 10:00-10:30.
Saturday 13st August, finish at 4pm after presentations.
Q. Is attendance on the Summer camp compulsory for national team selection?
For the 2011-12 season, yes, unless there are extenuationg corcumstances (examples that will be accepted are pre-booked training camps or family holidays). We have an expectation that national teams will be selected from fencers who are part of the National Academy.
For the 2012-13 season, yes.
Q. I’m on the list of pre-selected fencers; do I still need to apply?
Yes.
Q. What is included in the cost?
The package includes the entire week from start to finish: including accommodation; food; training; costs of the venues; coaches; expert consultants and staff. Resources including training diaries; training equipment for strength and conditioning training, National Academy t-shirts and polo shirts. The Academy will also fund the resources available to athlete and coaches on the Academy website. The cost has been set to be comparable to a shorter international trip where fencers might only get a few fights and receive none of the additional benefits. Any surplus remains within the Academy and will be used to keep future costs down.
Q. Why is this course better value than the international course I might normally attend?
This course brings together top experts in many areas of athletic and fencing development and accurately addresses the issues we have identified as barriers to British fencers’ long-term success.
Q. I’m a fencer not on the pre-selected list, how are selections made from the applicants?
We are looking for fencers who have the talent and desire to succeed at the highest level. So firstly we will look for a combination of: fencers who are high on the rankings but have some reason for not being in the selected top few, fencers who are developmentally young for their age so have not had as good results as their peers yet, fencers who can show drive and ambition. We are also looking for recommendations from coaches.
Q. Why aren’t selections being made entirely from the ranking list?
Success is long-term. It has been shown that it takes 10 years to produce success and our aim is to have world class senior fencers. The selection process we will have for this is aimed at addressing problems with using the rankings lists for selection to this programme:-
- Relative age effect (sports, and fencing is no exception, often find about 40% of the national team athletes are born in the first quarter of the selection year). See some fencing research at http://www.teambath.com/wp-content/u...age-effect.pdf
- The advantage gained by early maturers. In age group sport it's often "biggest wins" so those who are physically bigger earlier have a temporary advantage. The research shows that actually late maturers are more likely to succeed at the highest level (partly because they spend more time in the growth and development period for optimal skill acquisition), however these athletes often give up due to lack of short-term success
- The advantage gained by those who compete more often, sometimes in inappropriate events and sometimes these are the fencers who can afford to travel to all the events. It's very likely there are talented fencers who do not understand the competition and selection system
- So there WILL be some selection based on opinion and a judgement on fencers potential for future success. One of the things we have been doing is discussing with coaches to try and write a fair system for doing this. The reality is it's probably impossible but remember we are looking to include in excess of 1000 fencers in the next few years so it's unlikely many talented fencers will be missed.
Q. How many fencers and staff are there?
Approximately 120 fencers and over 40 staff which gives a ratio of 1 to 3.
Q. Which other fencers are going to be there?
At the moment we are still waiting for applications from any fencers in the age group, those on the pre-selected list will be accepted if they apply by the closing date.
Q. Who are the staff at the camp?
We have openly recruited expert fencing coaches, experts in the field of sports science and medicine, athlete lifestyle education, coach education etc. A full list will be on the British Fencing web site.
Q. Are any of the staff on the camp professionals acting in their professional capacity?
Yes. Most of the fencing coaches are professionals and most of the consultants are working in their professional roles, the physiotherapists are working as physiotherapists, the sports psychologist is a full-time professional. The remainder are volunteers.
Q. Will every adult on the camp have been Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) cleared on behalf of British Fencing and undertaken safeguarding training?
Yes
Q. Who are the fencing coaches?
The course is staffed by experts in several areas of fencing training, a list of the fencing-specific coaches will be on the web site shortly. They will be supported by a range of other experts.
Q. Will all the coaches be registered?
Yes
Q. Can a coach come to observe?
Yes, we encourage this. There is an open invitation for all coaches to attend this camp, although any participation is conditional on being on the British Fencing coaches register. Any coaches will be fully under the direction of the academy coaches
Q. I’m a parent, can I help by volunteering on the week
Yes. If you have done the British Fencing Team Manager training day there is an application form for this role on the British Fencing web site (there is a Team Manager training day on the 26th June 11 at Brunel, details at http://britishfencing.com/academy/academyskilldevelopment/academy_team_manager_training/). There is also an opportunity to assist with the day to day running of the camp. Everyone who helps must have a British Fencing CRB and have done a Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) course in the last 3 years.
Q. What kit do I need to bring?
Full electric fencing kit as suitable for a British open event, 350N jacket, breeches and mask, 800N under-plastron. No FIE blades needed. Kit for strength and conditioning training (i.e. gym kit and indoor trainers suitable for running). A full equipment list will be made available for all those going to the camp, but will not be more than you usually take to competitions or events of this kind. An equipment list will go to sucessful applicants.
Q. How will the fencers be supervised?
We have a group of team managers who are there just to supervise and look after the welfare of the fencers. All have suitable qualifications and knowledge for this role.
Q. Can a fencer come on a daily basis?
No. This opportunity is for the entire week.
Q. Is every fencer paying the same basic cost?
Yes
Q. Will there be if the fencer has to withdraw from camp either before commencement or during the camp?
Anyone who withdraws up to a month before will have a full refund. In the last month a 50% refund, after the start of the camp no refund.
Q. Can I pay over the phone and is there a surcharge for this?
You can pay over the phone for a £2 surcharge
Q. What is the cost of accommodation?
The cost of the accommodation is included in the overall package.
Q. What is the cost of food?
The cost of the food is included in the overall package.
Q. Are there be any additional costs
No, apart from some optional clothing.
Q. Where is the accommodation?
Onsite on the university campus.
Q. Do I need to bring any additional snacks or drinks?
All food is included, but as with any training camp, competition or event of this nature, athletes should always bring their own individual performance nutrition. Further education on this area will be supplied during the week.
Q. What will the fencers be doing on a daily basis
The fencers will be introduced to the programme when they arrive and it will not be the same for each athlete. Each day will have elements of talent development, such as: strength and conditioning, education, fencing training, fun games and activities.
Q. Will the fencers be taken or be allowed to go off site at all?
There are no plans nor expected need for fencers to go off site at present.
Q. Will fencers have any free time?
Yes, in addition to some planned activities.
Q. Will entertainment be provided either on or off site?
This is a Talent Camp and as such entertainment will be part of the overall programme. All activities will be on site.
Q. Will parents be able to attend?
Parents will be invited to attend certain sessions and further information will be available on this soon.
Q. What risk assessment will be undertaken for the camp?
A full risk assessment will be undertaken by our Logistics Lead.
Q. How will my details be stored and who will have access to them?
British Fencing is bound by the data protection act. So your details will be stored on British Fencing computers and not shared outside the organisation. Access to these will be for the purpose of ensuring the welfare of all fencers and will only be available to view by those who need the information for this purpose.
Q. Why is the Academy starting at Filton College in Bristol?
The project at Filton College is a pilot to help us set up the national Academy framework across the country. This is a project for college age fencers (aged 16-19) who are enrolling on a full time course at Filton College. Further details on this are available from Neil Brown or at www.filton.ac.uk
Q. I can’t open the documents on the British Fencing web site, what do I do?
Contact the British Fencing office: headoffice@britishfencing.com
Q. What feedback will there be after the camp
As with everything we do, all those involved with the camp will have the opportunity to contribute to a comprehensive review following the camp.
Q. How will this programme continue in the future?
The Academy will expand across the age groups and with Regional delivery centres across the country, now up & running at Brimingham, Brunel & SUNEE.
Q. How is all this information on the National Academy being communicated?
This is a new programme and setting up new programmes inevitably takes time. We are looking to make major step changes to the way our fencers and coaches train for long term success. We will communicate as best we can using: the new web site, To the Point, The Sword, twitter.com/britishfencing, regional and national roadshows, noticeboards at competitions and update bulletins for the fencers on the camp.
Now a Question for you...
Q. How can we improve our communications about the National Academy?
Please contact Neil Brown: neil.brown@britishfencing.com or 07590 046892.