The 2024-25 BF Ranking Scheme has been updated following a community consultation exercise which included discussion events to provide education and discuss feedback with the community.
The original consultation period for the 2024-25 scheme ran from 9th May to 24th May.
Seven members responded to the consultation within the consultation window.
We are incredibly grateful to all those who took the time to read the document in detail and provide feedback and suggestions which were all considered.
BF delayed publication pending confirmation of the new FIE and EFC calendars to allow consideration of any potential impact on the scheme.
In summary:
The updated document will go to the Board for approval:
Further feedback or observations of note:
Any feedback that impacted selection and the BF Selection Policy, GBR eligibility, were redirected to separate Selection Policy consultation and considered.
GBR Calendar There were several references made to the GBR calendar and the desire to avoid all event clashes in the calendar.
BF Response: We set our calendars as early as possible to avoid clashes in the domestic and international calendars. The FIE and EFC set their calendars between May and June each year, typically to a pattern where BF can then plan for domestic events. Occasionally, international events can still move dates after original publication, which can then clash with domestic events. Depending on the announcement’s timing for the calendar changes, we will work with the organisers to mitigate any significant impact on their event.
U14 Ranking Scheme – Feedback and questions were raised around why U14 Competitions were being included in a new U14 Ranking Scheme.
BF Response: The U14 scheme is an adapted version of the U17 (cadet) scheme, helping fencers understand the pathway and the competition structure earlier, and allow us to support athlete selection for the new U14 EFC Festival. Two online sessions were run to help educate the community members and allow them to feedback and comment on the proposed changes. The Home Countries have been part of the inception of the Scheme from the outset so that they can use the Scheme for any Home Nation selections (should they choose) and provide an offer for a core part of our Memberships.
Commonwealth Fencing Federation Championships (CFF): Feedback regarding the inclusion of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation Championships (CFF).
BF Response: The most recent Senior CFF Championships held in London were included in the Ranking Scheme for Senior rankings. The Cadet and Junior CFF Championships have never been a ranking event. Based on senior athlete feedback the expectation is the Senior CFF Championships may be subject to removal from the Scheme in the next consultation window.
Length & Complexity: There was an observation regarding the increasing length of the document and the complexity of the Scheme over recent years.
BF Response: The Ranking Scheme used to sit across multiple documents so that combining them into one document inevitably creates a longer document. We are trying to create schemes that allow fair and equitable opportunities to earn ranking points across the age and weapon categories in domestic an international competition. A simplified single system across all age groups, whilst easier to follow, would not take into account the nuances that currently sit within the domestic and international calendars.
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