BRITISH FENCING’S KEY PARTNERS, SPONSORS AND PATRONS WILL SUPPORT OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION FUNDING

Over the last few months British Fencing (BF) have been working with the British Fencing Charity, sponsors and patrons to create an additional funding package to ensure that GBR athletes across all weapons are supported on their journey as they seek to qualify for the Games in Tokyo next year.

The successful UK Sport (UKS) Aspiration Fund bid and subsequently confirmed UKS Medal Support Funding has enabled BF to provide athletes and teams with significant financial support missing since World Class Programme (WCP) funding was cut in 2016.

The BF Board have sought to maximise the UKS funding streams and have appealed to sponsors and patrons for further funds to allow support for athletes across all six weapons. BF hopes the additional funding will further support a culture where all fencers can inspire the nation through their qualification journey performances and also to have a genuine social impact in communities across the UK.

Subject to the athletes continuing their qualification journeys and engaging in social impact and social media opportunities this support will provide:

1. A Team Manager, Team Coaches in Foil, Epee and Sabre and a Sports Therapist to support the whole GBR squad at the 2019 European and World Championships
2. Team Entry Fees for all weapons competing at European (2019, 2020) and World Championships (2019)
3. World Cup Team Entry Fees for all weapons over the qualification period
4. Grants of £500 to athletes competing in the Men’s Foil Team at World Cup Team events over the qualification period. In addition, some funds have been raised to support athletes in the Men’s Sabre Team along their qualification journey
5. Free use of the world class training facilities at the Leon Paul Centre for GBR Senior athletes in the top 100 FIE World Rankings
6. Free piste hire at the Leon Paul Centre for official Senior GBR Team training sessions (subject to availability)
7. Continued tiered equipment and financial support from Leon Paul for 30 GBR athletes

British Fencing would like to formally thank all the organisations and individuals who have made this possible including UK Sport, the National Lottery, The British Fencing Charity, Epee Club Charity, and Leon Paul.