Following the publication of the new FIE Junior World Cup Calendar, the GBR Pathway Team will assess the impact on the Selection Policy and the nominated Junior competitions.
It is vital that as many of our developing athletes get the opportunity to compete internationally as possible, and we have a way of providing a fair and consistent qualification method for Europeans (and Worlds).
Historically, BF has nominated FIE Junior World Cups as an international event for juniors. Results in nominated international competitions are count towards the qualification standards for European and World Championships.
With the Junior European Championships currently scheduled to start around the 20th February 2025 we see the September to December 2024 window as a critical time for athletes to demonstrate ability before selection points.
In the recently published FIE calendar for the 24-25 season there are now 4 Junior World Cups scheduled before 1st January 2025 in each weapon. For Women’s Foil and Men’s Epee none of these 4 competitions are in Europe and for the other weapons there is only one competition each.
With Junior World Cup competitions now in Nigeria, Hong Kong, Tunisia, Thailand, Cuba, and Peru, BF will explore other options for our Junior fencers to compete internationally.
BF is currently working with our European counterparts to see whether a solution could lie in a series of European events, making more use of the EFC U23 circuit and/or other existing events that already attract international competitors. More information will follow.
In the meantime, we have added the FIE Junior World Cup events to the BF calendar but have not yet made a decision about which will be nominated.
In the meantime, we recommend that no non-refundable travel plans be made.
Please Note:
1. As per the 23-24 selection policy 7.2.e) – from season 2024-25, the final individual placing percentages for the calculation of qualification standards will be the best three from ALL nominated competitions in the same competitive category in the previous 12 months. This means that we will nominate accessible Junior World Cups in Europe after major event selection points, as these can be used for major event preparation and/or for next season qualification.
2. The selection policy already allows for any international competition to be nominated (not just World Cups)
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