2023 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Last Updated:  25th April 2023

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 29th April- 1st May 2023

Venue: EIS Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA

Membership Level Required: Compete (including for RQEs)

Check your BF membership and log into the platform here 

Age Groups:

U12 – Born 2011 or 2012

U14 – Born 2009 or 2010

U16 – Born 2007 or 2008

U18 – Born 2005 or 2006

Entry Fee: £47.50

Deadline for qualifiers to compete entry: Monday 17th April, 5pm

Invites have been sent via Sport80 to those fencers who have qualified through their Regional Qualifying Event.

Event Format:

Each competition will follow the same format, one round of poules (a round robin, usually with between 6-7 fencers in a poule), followed by DE (Direct Elimination/Knock out stages). All competitors will progress to the DE (No cut).

Event Welfare Officer: Liz Behnke – Contact Number: 07717740125

Please note this number is for event safeguarding matters only. 

Withdrawals: If you are unable to attend the event, please complete the event withdrawal form here so the competition files can be updated.

FIELD OF PLAY (FoP) AND ACCREDITATION

What are the FoP accreditation rules?

• During the poules (round robin), only fencers, event staff and referees are allowed in the Field of Play
• From the DE Stages (Knockouts) , the following process will be in place:
  • • Each athlete will be allowed ONE accredited piste-side supporter (coach or parent/carer), at any one time on the FoP, during the DE.
    • They will be granted access for the duration of their athlete’s bout (match) only and must leave the FoP once the bout has finished.
    • If individuals remain on the FoP despite being asked to leave by an official, they will have their accreditation removed.
    • Referees and the event team, have the right to remove accreditation from people in these instances.
    • Accredited individuals are expected to cooperate with referees and the event team throughout the duration of the event.
    • There will be a zero-tolerance approach towards abuse directed at referees and the event team. You may also face additional disciplinary action by BF if you fail to comply with the procedures in place.

   

• The markings for the Field of Play will be clearly displayed at the entrance of each venue and event staff will be on hand to assist throughout the competition.
• BF are committed to improving the sustainability of our events, therefore all individuals are required to return their accreditation before leaving the venue. Each accreditation will be unique and assigned to a single individual.

Why is there an accreditation system in place?

There are several reasons why an accreditation system has been introduced at BF events. Field of Play (FoP) accreditation was in part introduced to control and improve the quality of the immediate environment around the fencer when they compete. Over the years an increasing number of parents, coaches etc have wished to support fencers by occupying spaces closer and closer to the piste which causes safety issues and makes refereeing more difficult.

Importantly fencers tell us that they do not like this overcrowding and it makes it harder to concentrate.

Accreditation is also an important part of us managing the experience for young people and helps us uphold the Fair Play Code which we expect everyone to follow for the event.  (You can find an article on coaching and supporting fencers at U14 events here, and the role of a parent during a match here.)

Do I need FoP accreditation if I am just coming to the event?

No. There is spectator seating and standing room in both halls with space to view all pistes. Spectators are able to view the actions from behind the FoP barriers, which will be only a few meters behind the end of the piste.

As a parent/guardian/carer do I need FoP accreditation?

No. Unless the fencer’s coach is not present at the event and your child has a particular need for your assistance whilst on piste during the DE’s, you do not need to enter the FoP.  (DE stands for Direct Elimination. This is the fencing term for the knock-out stages of the tournament which follows the round robin groups – the ‘poules’)

How to Apply:  Accreditation will be in place for access to the Field of Play (FoP) at the event. There will be no access to the Field of Play without a Coach/Parent/Carer Accreditation.

Accreditation Application Opening Date: Tuesday 28th February 2023 

The deadline for accreditation applications is Tuesday 25th April 2023 at 5pm

QUALIFICATION

The British Youth Championships (BYCs) are a 24-event competition, with events in four age groups (U12s, U14s, U16s & U18s) for all three weapons.  Fencers have the opportunity to qualify for the BYCs through Regional Qualifying Events (RQEs) which will be held by each Region.

Regional qualification is calculated based on the below formula. Please note that fencers who enter, but do not fence (including those with byes), are not counted in this total.

1-16 entries = 8 qualify

17-19 entries = 9 qualify

20-22 entries = 10 qualify

23-25 entries = 11 qualify

26-28 entries = 12 qualify

29-31 entries = 13 qualify

32+ entries = 14 qualify

Byes: 

Top 8 – All fencers who finished in the top 8 of the 2022 BYC finals are eligible to claim a bye to the 2023 Finals. Fencers must be listed on Regional Qualifiers list sent to BF but are not included within the qualification formula above.

List of all those fencers who finished in the Top 8 of their events in 2022 can be found here.

Those who have moved up an age group from the 2022 event are granted a bye into their new age group. Fencers who have a 2022 Top 8 bye are not required to complete a bye request form

Exceptional Circumstances – Fencers who are unable to attend their RQE due to exceptional circumstances are able to apply for a bye, via the bye request form

Where fencers have been selected for a GBR (U17 or U20) international on the weekend of their RQE, fencers are able to apply for a bye, via the bye request form

Fencers who have a bye (either through the Top 8 of 2022 or Exceptional Circumstances/GBR Selection) are required to enter their Regional Qualifying Event. 

Entry Fee Support Scheme:

The BF Entry Fee Support Scheme will be in place for this event.

BF is mindful of the rising costs of attending fencing events and the potential barrier to participation this creates for some members of our community.

As a result, BF is offering a limited number of free entries to qualified fencers to attend the 2023 BYCs. These will be offered based on financial need, not on ability.  This scheme will cover 100% of the entry fee cost.

Qualifiers to the 2023 BYCs will be able to complete an online application form here to apply 

Applications close Monday 10th April at 5pm

All applicants will be told the outcome of their application by Wednesday 12th April 2023

Kit Specifications: Kit specifications for the RQEs and BYCs can be found here

Please note that the FIE rules m.25.7.f  regarding masks with 2 rear safety systems are NOT Required for this event.

It is acceptable for to wear tracksuits over breaches (800N) and socks on the day as long as the pockets of the tracksuit bottoms are sewn shut.

Fair Play: The BF Fair Play Code for Youth Events is applicable. See here for more information.

Rule Changes: The new passivity rule introduced on the 1st January 2023 by the FIE will be implemented at the event. Organisers of the RQE (Regional Qualifying Events)  are expected to implement the new passivity rules.

Referee at this event! If you would like to referee at this event, please complete the referee sign up form here

Volunteering: If you are interested in signing up to volunteer at this event, please complete the sign up form here

Media: Please note there will be filming and photography including live streaming at this event for BF purposes. If you do not give photography/filming permission for yourself or your athlete, please contact [email protected] before the event

Sustainability: As part of BFs commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our sport, no single-use plastic bottles will be permitted on the field of play. We hope that the community will support efforts in this area and ensure that everyone brings re-useable bottles to the event.

Prayer Room: There will be a prayer room available at the venue for all three days. Please ask at reception or speak to a member of the team and they will direct you.

Disabilities: BF recognises that many disabilities are hidden and participants in competitions may need additional support throughout the event. Any disability information that you provide in your membership profile (provided that you have given permission to share) will be passed to the organising team and a member of the event welfare team will get in touch to discuss how we can help. Alternatively you can contact us in advance either by emailing the events team directly [email protected], or the BF safeguarding lead ([email protected]). Finally, you can ask speak to a member of the onsite team at check-in. Please note the earlier you raise any additional support needs the better able we are to make reasonable accommodations.