2024 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

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).

Membership Level Required: Compete (including for RQEs)

Check your BF membership and log into the platform here 

Age Groups:

U12 – Born 2012 or 2013

U14 – Born 2010 or 2011

U16 – Born 2008 or 2009

U18 – Born 2006 or 2007

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.

Find your Regional Qualifying Event here

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.

Byes: 

Top 8 – All fencers who finished in the top 8 of the 2023 BYC finals are eligible to claim a bye to the 2024 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 2023 can be found here.

Those who have moved up an age group from the 2023 event are granted a bye into their new age group. Fencers who have a 2023 Top 8 bye are not required to complete a bye request form but must enter their RQE if looking to compete in 2024.

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 2023 or Exceptional Circumstances/GBR Selection) are required to enter 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).

Entry Fee: £50

Entry Process:

Qualified Fencers will be sent an invitation through Sport80 to enter the event after the deadline for Regional Qualifiers (Monday 25th March 2024)

Entry Deadline: 19th April 2024 12:00 (Mid Day)

Entry Fee Support Scheme: 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. These will be offered based on financial need, not on ability.  This scheme will cover 100% of the entry fee cost.

To apply for the scheme, please complete the form below.

Deadline: Monday 8th April 2024 at 17:00

All applicants will be told the outcome by Wednesday 10th April 2024. Please do not enter the event if you are awaiting the outcome of your application as the entry process will still be open after the outcome of the applications.

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.

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.

Photography Policy:  Photography and video using smartphones for personal use only (including coaching and social media) is permitted.

Please be mindful of the age of participants, and read our photography safeguarding policy: https://www.britishfencing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/8_photography_policy.pdf

‘Live streaming’ or broadcasting video in any way, from any device including smartphones, is not permitted.

Anyone wanting to take photographs using any kind of professional or semi-pro camera equipment must apply for media accreditation in advance of the event – accreditation will not be available during competition. This means any kind of camera with a detachable lens, and/or using any kind of tripod or monopod. Media accreditation is for still photography only – no pro or semi-pro video equipment is permitted. Update 3rd May 2024: media accreditation is now closed. 

British Fencing reserves the right to refuse or withdraw photographic accreditation at any time without giving a reason.

NOTE: Any person taking photographs of any kind with any device must follow any instructions given by the BF media representatives, the Event Director, and / or the referees. 

Accreditation: 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 an accreditation.

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.

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.

Welfare: There will be a dedicated welfare officer at the event who will be clearly visible throughout. All welfare issues that arise at the event must be reported to the welfare officer present.

Sustainability: As part of BF’s 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.