FIE Satellites and EFC U23 Opens

Last updated: 01.02.2024

Satellite and U23 EFC competitions were introduced to the calendar to develop fencing in specific geographic regions and support particular age groups. Results at satellites are also awarded points for the official FIE ranking. A complete list of the FIE Satellite events is available on www.fie.org 

Entries

FIE Competition entries for a season will typically open on 1st September that year (e.g. 2022-2023 will open on the 1st of September 2022)

FIE licence applications open on the 1st of August. All FIE Satellite entries are required to have the licence for that season, e.g. in the 24-25 season, the 24/25 licence is needed; the 24/25 licence expires at the end of August 2025.

EFC license applications also use the same calendar periods and seasons’ start and end points.

The BF Selection Policy governs entry to FIE Satellite competitions and EFC U23 events, the conditions of the particular competition and/or FIE/EFC regulations, and any fencer must meet any such conditions/regulations to be considered for selection, including holding an FIE licence.

Athletes wishing to be entered for an FIE Satellite or EFC event should apply by completing this form. Once the Pathway team approves the entry, you will receive a notification from Sport:80 to pay and confirm your entry.

GBR entries are on a first-come, first-served basis, although there are some criteria for entry (see BF Selection Policy).  Athletes must have entered/competed in the most recent Senior National Championships or British Open Championships. There is an administration fee.  This is separate from the entry fee for the event.  You must pay the competition entry fee at the event.

Submission of the form must be received by midnight 18 days before the event date.  It will take up to 2 working days to process your form and take payment.

The final cut-off for all payments will be no later than midnight 13 days (usually a Thursday) before the event.

As an example, if the Satellite event is on Sunday, the 24th of October, the deadlines are

• Midnight Wednesday, 6th October for completion of the form
• Midnight Monday 11th October for completion of payment

Please note the contact hours for BF here. Typical working hours are 9-5 pm, so anything received after this time will not be processed until the next working day.

Athletes that fail to complete a form or payment within the published timescales have no right to be entered. Late entries will only be accepted in *exceptional* personal circumstances which has demonstrably prohibited the entry being completed by the deadline. With the following conditions and costs to be covered by the fencer:

• A BF late entry fine of £100
• An FIE late entry fine of €150 (Entries within 7 days are at the FIE’s discretion)
• If the entry increases the referee requirement, the late entrant (fencer) must source and fund 100% of any additional referee required as per the FIE competition regulations or pay the referee fine.

Fencers should only book their flights and accommodation once they have received confirmation of their entry.

To order your FIE licence, log in to your membership portal at bf.sport80.com and click on the licence tab on the left.

Referee Requirements

The athlete entered spaces 5 and 10 and will be assigned the primary responsibility for sourcing the referee for the event. A notification will go out to all athletes entering, explaining the need for an additional referee and identifying the person responsible.  If you are the 5th or 10th person to enter on the sport80 platform you will be prompted to contact gbr_support@britishfencing.com.  You will then be asked to confirm your agreement to being responsible for sourcing the referee for the event.  Once you agree, we will reopen the system so you can enter your entry.

All fencers are expected to check online FIE entry lists as the event approaches and actively liaise with the other team members about arranging referees.  Failure to engage in the process of discussing sourcing referees does not mean that you are not liable for costs.  Any athlete that withdraws once a requirement for a referee is identified is still responsible for their share of refereeing costs.

The FIE fine is currently €1000 if the referee’s requirements are unmet.

Fencers should regularly check the entries on the FIE website here: www.fie.org/competitions.

Withdrawal

The FIE will fine any athlete that fails to notify them of withdrawal or fails to provide sufficient and adequate information for the withdrawal.

Withdrawal from the event will incur a FIE fine if past the FIE entry deadline (7 days before the event) and the fencer will be responsible for the full amount of the fine.

Withdrawals from events must be requested via email to gbr_support@britishfencing.com at least 3 working days prior to the entry deadline to ensure this deadline is met.  No refund of administration charges will be due. Withdrawn athletes are still liable for share of referee costs.

There are exceptions for medical reasons.  Athletes withdrawing for medical reasons should complete a Medical Form and email it to  gbr_support@britishfencing.com.  Please complete carefully and in full.  Athletes will be solely liable for any FIE fines incurred.

Coaches

If you wish to apply to attend in the capacity of a personal coach you must register in advance with BF. Personal Coaches must apply for accreditation to each event using the following form. As a reminder, personal coaches must not coach against fellow GBR fencers during international competitions.

All coaches, including personal coaches, must be on the BF Coaches Register, or the equivalent Federation Coaching Register if you are supported by a coach that is not based in the UK.

In addition it is expected that all coaches travelling with a GBR fencer to an international has up to date Anti-Doping Coach Clean qualification.

If the coach is providing lessons at the event, the coach must have a Level 2 qualification or above. Please note that the BF Codes of Conduct and the GBR Coaches Policy applies to all coaches.

National Logo

From September 2019, the FIE has introduced a new rule that all athletes competing in FIE Satellites are required to display the National Logos (ie the GBR patch).