Dear Member,

By now the impact of the Covid-19 virus is being felt across all communities in the UK. Our fencing community is no different and in these changing times we must all look for ways to support each other.

The situation is changing on a daily basis, and we have to be honest in that we don’t have all the answers to all the questions that we are being asked. So, at this time we thought it would be helpful to explain what we are doing as an organisation and what you can expect from us:

1. We have set up a dedicated page on our website here which provides access to our latest advice and guidance.
2. We will be reviewing the daily government statements as and when they come out. We will reflect the changing status and advice on our website as soon as we can.
3. We will be cancelling and/or postponing a variety of BF events. This will include the Senior National Championships, BYCs, GB Cup and BRCs up until mid August. We will publish more information about this on our website.
4. We are looking at ways that we can support those members of our community who wish to keep active during periods where local clubs are closed or they are self-isolating. We will be looking to use our social media channels to share suggestions about keeping fit in preparation for a return to fencing.
5. Our Olympic Team Manager will continue to liaise with our top GBR fencers as we wait on news from the FIE with regards to the remaining Olympic qualification competitions.
6. We will continue to provide as many of our services as we can. As most of our team will now be home working this might result in some delays. Please do check on our ‘Contact Us’ page here for the latest information around availability and how best to get in contact. We do really appreciate your support and patience at this time.

We are understandably being contacted by coaches, clubs and event organisers for specific advice. Fencing is delivered in a number of settings and each one needs to be assessed under the government advice at the time. The factors that apply to our affiliated clubs and events may differ and, for that reason, it may still be possible to safely deliver fencing activities in certain situations. Decisions should be made based on current information and guidance from the Government and Public Health and applied appropriately to your specific situation. We don’t know the scenario at each and every activity and we aren’t experts in Public Health so it’s impossible for us to provide more specific advice. Many of our clubs will be operating out of externally managed facilities and any plans to continue delivering fencing should be discussed with the facility manager.

Many of our affiliated clubs deliver fencing activities that could be considered as non-essential. We recommend that those clubs follow the current guidance summarised by the PM’s statement: “now is the time to stop all non-essential contact with others”.  Do remember that you can still keep in contact with all your club members through your existing online channels and can play a vital role in supporting our community through any social isolation.

During this time the health and wellbeing of our community is of the utmost importance – please continue to follow the official guidance and look after yourself and each other.

Georgina Usher

CEO of British Fencing

Mark Lyttle

Chair of British Fencing