U20 (JUNIORS) GBR GUIDE

There are a number of events specifically for U20s (also known as ‘Juniors’) held in the UK (these are called ‘domestic’ events).

Some of these events are nominated by BF for ranking points. Ranking points for U20s can also be gained in competitions not just reserved for U20s – eg Senior competitions. Not all competitions attract U20 ranking points, but the ones that do are listed here in the GBR Calendars.

The number of ranking points available depends on the event and the final placing of the fencer.

Fencers should not be competing in all the events that have ranking points on offer. They should choose which of these events they want to compete in. Choices should be supported/informed by personal coaches/parents and, if they are looking to improve, their Individual Athlete Development Plans (see below). When planning which competitions to compete in please read SEASON PLANNING ADVICE and A GUIDE TO THE GBR STRUCTURED SEASON.

Fencers wanting to get selected for GBR at major events (Europeans and Worlds) need to fence in nominated international U20 (FIE Junior World Cup) events. Due to entry restrictions there is a selection process for nominated U20 internationals and primarily it will be a fencer’s BF ranking that is the main selection factor.

Whilst for EFC Cadet Circuit events fencers are expected to travel with their parents or as part of a club managed trip to attend these events, by the time fencers are being selected for U20s, fencers should have developed the individual resilience to self manage and meet the behavioural standards and expectations of a junior athlete.  (more information below).

Importantly:

• Selections for major events are not based on BF rankings they are based on performances and qualification standards.
• Major events are, like Juniors, also managed GBR squad events. The expectations on athletes, personal coaches and the role of parents can be slightly different in places – more information can be found here.

• ADP – Athlete Development Programme (also known as the ‘GBR Pathway Programme) – ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ZONE
• BF – British Fencing
• BRC – British Ranking Competition
• Cadet – U17 – AGE GROUP DEFINITIONS
• EFC – European Fencing Confederation
• FIE – Federation Internationale d’Escrime
• Junior – U20 – AGE GROUP DEFINITION
• Major Events – European Championships, World Championships
• Sport:80 – the BF membership and events platform
• UKAD – UK Anti-Doping Agency
• WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency

Weekly news – sign up to the weekly news here. All important announcements will be made through the news posts.

Membership – Make sure the fencer has a valid compete level membership on auto renew to ensure that they are eligible for selection.

Your Contact Details – Selection invitations will get sent to the email saved in the fencer’s profile in the BF Sport:80 platform. If you don’t read them regularly and you miss invitations other fencers will get invited and take the selection place. Use an email address you regularly check.

• Obtain an annual FIE licence before the start of the International season (usually around August/September)  – FIE/EFC LICENCES. Once you are sent an email offering you a place in a a GBR squad you have 96 hours to accept your position (before the next athlete is automatically invited) and this may not be enough time to go through the administrative process (especially if the if 4 days falls over a weekend).

Our Contact Details – We have a number of monitored shared mailboxes to support our members. Knowing which one to use when will help us answer your queries efficiently – CONTACT US – BRITISH FENCING. Please bear in mind that we aren’t a large organisation – around 25 full and part time staff members covering every aspect of the work that we do.

Nationality – All fencers wishing to be selected or entered by British Fencing must hold a Full Great Britain Passport or a British Nationality/Citizenship certificate.

Planning – There are a number of additional resources that are available on the BF website that can be used to support a fencer’s development. If a fencer is looking for international GBR selection they must have an IADP – individual athlete development plan – IADP – INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PLAN . BF strongly recommend that at the start of a fencer’s representative career parents work with their child’s personal coach to put this in place. Over time as the fencer gets older and more experienced they should be able to work directly with their personal coach and as they move into seniors (age 21) they should be leading this process.

If you don’t yet have an IADP, at a minimum use the published calendars to plan the season with your coach – COMPETITION CALENDARS FOR GBR SELECTION – BRITISH FENCING. Don’t forget to tell your personal coach if you are aiming for selection (even if you only decide this mid-season), as they will be able to help you navigate the processes and ensure that they are planning the season around your goals.

• Agree and publish the calendar of domestic U20 British Ranking Competitions (U20/Junior BRCs) and nominated U20/Junior international events for the season. This is dependent on the final international calendars to come out (earliest in April for season start in September) – see GBR U20/U17 CALENDAR ADVICE for more info.
• Update (based on annual consultation and subsequent Board approval) Selection Policies and Ranking Policies.
• Administer the rankings according to the approved BF Ranking policy.
• Confirm athlete GBR eligibility (checking full UK Passport or British Citizen certificate) and administrate FIE license applications.
• Administer selection process according to the BF approved selection policy and in accordance with the GBR Selection timelines for international competitions.
• Allocate GBR referees to Nominated international events – GBR Support will book the referees’ hotel and coordinate their travel arrangements. (Referees should be booking own flights where possible).
• Enter fencers to FIE events (both individual and teams) once final lists are confirmed and payments made
• Administrate late entries, withdrawals, charges and fines.
• Update the destination travel guides based on athlete/parent feedback
• Designate the official GBR tracksuits (which may vary depending on squad) and make them available for purchase.

Majors Only:

• Run squads to U20 European and World Championships. (see section below) – this includes booking accommodation for the squad.
• Collate ‘in loco parentis’ forms (process may vary due to EFC/FIE guidelines).

(Where an athlete is U18 the parent may be taking on this administration. All parents acting on behalf of GBR fencers should have a BF Membership, minimum supporter level.)

Athlete Admin Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate contact details and update on the Sport80 platform
• Ensure they are on an auto-renewing compete level membership (avoids breaks in membership which can lead to selection ineligibility)
• Request to be added to the BF members GBR Weapon Whatsapp group by emailing [email protected] with your name and membership number. (Parents wishing to be added must themselves be members)
• Provide prompt replies (accept or decline) to the selection notice, with immediate payment if accepting the place. Until payment is made in full, a place is not considered accepted and will in most cases be offered automatically to the reserves after the deadline stated in the email.
• Notify BF immediately of any changes, illnesses or injuries.
• Ensuring that their sport:80 profile is up to date with any information on disabilities or long term medical information.  If we don’t know about disabilities we can’t make reasonable adjustments.
• Arrange personal travel in accordance with the entry and exit points.
• Hotels will be booked by BF in accordance with these entry and exit points. If athletes require additional nights accommodation these should be booked independently.
• Provide adequate personal travel insurance ensuring that it covers competing in an amateur fencing competition abroad.
• Ensure they have a valid passport and visa to travel (if required).
• Provide a medical certificate on request if they have to withdraw at late notice through a medical reason (or pay the relevant fines).
• Ensure that they (and anyone travelling with them) is aware of the BF Codes of Conduct and the EFC Code of Conduct and the importance of complying with them.
• Ensure any accompanying parents undertake UKAD mandatory courses and Safeguarding for parents.
• Check all medication in GlobalDRO and take follow up action for any banned medication.
• Check the competition reglements – to be found on the EFC website in the competition section under ‘cadet circuit’. Make sure you find out times of the competition, weapon check times, location and format eg number of poules, cut etc.
• Keep up to date with changing event information – bookmark the BF selection notice for each event you are are selected for, bookmark the web pages for major events.
• Purchase tracksuit and patches in accordance with the designated rules
• U18s – unless the parent authorises and arrange independent travel, parents should arrange for them (or a guardian/nominated in loco parentis individual) to accompany their child to the event entry point and arrange for collection at the exit point

• Explain to fencers the requirements for BF Membership and EFC/FIE licences.
• Remind parents and fencers to share information around disability, illness and injuries with BF.
• Encourage prompt responses to selection invitations.
• Ensure that the fencer (and anyone travelling with them eg club coaches) is aware of the BF Codes of Conduct and the FIE Rules including the FIE Safeguarding Policy and the importance of complying with them.
• Signpost/remind parents and athletes of the UKAD mandatory course and using GlobalDRO.
• Signpost travelling supporters (parents) to Safeguarding for parents training.
• Help parents and fencers navigate the BF & FIE website
• Help explain the kit requirements (more info below).
• Support the fencer (and parent if U18) to create and manage the fencer’s IADP
• Encourage a healthy approach to nutrition in accordance with BF guidance
• Remind fencers about competition formats, how to read a poule sheet, DE, and navigate the standard websites used by international competition organisers eg Fencing Time Live  and Engarde.
• Remind fencers of the rules of the sport, particularly in relation to t.170 (Technical Book).
• Encourage fencers to use competitions as opportunities to develop independence and resilience and if necessary work with parents to support this in happening.
• If you are a personal coach looking to attend internationals work with the BF team (eg attending prep camps), ensure all your minimum standards are in place, ensure your fencers have up to date IADPs and complete any accreditation procedures in a timely manner.
• Help support and advise on good warm up, cool-down and recovery practices (if these aren’t done in club properly they won’t be done in competition!)

There are Minimum Age Rules 

For domestic (BF licenced) events – fencers must be at least 13 on 1^st January in order to compete in any UK cadet events in that calendar year.  

For FIE Junior (U20) events fencers must be age 13 or over on the day of the competition.

Fencers are ranked by category (Cadet, Junior, and Senior), weapon (foil, epee, or sabre) and competition gender (Men’s, Women’s).

Rankings are published here. 

Rankings are calculated from ranking points earned in competitions. The number of points earned depends on the strength of the competition and the fencer’s placing.

There are ranking policies that describe how the strength is defined and how the rankings are calculated.

BF POLICIES – RANKING SCHEME 

It is very important that athletes, parents and coaches don’t make assumptions about selection in relation to BF Ranking, specifically in regards to selection for major championships (eg European and Worlds). Please check the selection policy for information – GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

BF is responsible for selecting athletes to represent Great Britain internationally.

To help do this BF nominate domestic events (British Ranking Competitions “BRCs”) in which athletes can gain British ranking points.

Not all fencing competitions are eligible for ranking points so don’t expect your ranking to change every time you compete!

In some cases BF nominate existing events (eg the Welsh Open, a Senior Open, has historically been selected as a Junior BRC for epee), and in some cases BRCs are organised in collaboration with BF affiliated clubs.

BRCs in the context of GBR selection can be found here: COMPETITION CALENDARS FOR GBR SELECTION 

BRCs in the context of all domestic events can be found here: Events Zone

To understand more about how and when the calendar is put together see: GBR U20/U17 CALENDAR ADVICE

FIE Junior World Cup Events

The International Fencing Federation (the FIE) has a series of U20s/Junior events held around the world known as the FIE Junior World Cup circuit. These normally start in September and will continue at least until the Junior World Championships held in April after which the international junior season is considered over.

Junior World Cups are individual (maximum 12 athletes) and team (1 team per country) events.

Athletes are required to have an FIE licence to be entered and all entries must go through the athlete’s National Federation, which for British fencers is British Fencing.

There are additional rules that the FIE put in place which restrict the number of athletes/teams that can be entered and the requirement to provide referees or pay fines (based on an FIE published formula). There are also entry deadlines and rules about withdrawals. The FIE fines an be considerable – up to 500 euros for late entries/withdrawals and 1000 euros for missing referees for each competition.

BF designate some of these World Cup events as ‘nominated’ events in which performances can contribute to selection for Major Events (GBR U20/U17 CALENDAR ADVICE).

For nominated Junior World Cup events:

• Performances in these competitions will count for selection to the European and World Championships.
• BF will select individuals and teams
• BF will appoint Team Managers and Coaches
• BF will publish in country entry and exit points
• BF will organise referee provision (costs passed onto athletes)

There are also some designated as ‘development events’ where squads of athletes are selected and some additional support provided (eg provision of referees) to facilitate athletes taking part.

The Junior international events are the competition environments where we expect parents to support the BF appointed Team Managers and Coaches in creating supported performance environments and allow athletes to come together in squads and support each other.  If you do want to travel to nominated events and support the squad and you have not been appointed into a role by BF, this means understanding that your role is one of a spectator.

The EFC Cadet (U17) circuit events are the competition environments where we expect parents to have supported fencers to develop the skills, attributes and independence to be ready to be selected for a major championships and move up to Juniors. If a fencer has not competed in any international events prior to being selected for their first Junior event, and there are concerns about their ability to manage the squad environment please contact [email protected]

Other Events

Due to the challenges with the FIE Calendar BF is starting to look at including other types of events as nominated international events where fencers have the opportunity to make qualification standards. These include FIE Satellites and EFC Fencing For Everyone events. More information will be published separately on the BF website as arrangements are new to this season.

EFC Junior (U20) European Championships

Normally held in February the Junior European Championships has an individual and team event. Up to 4 athletes can compete in each (individual and team) event and how they are selected are set out in GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES.

For these events, athletes are expected to travel (entry and exit) according to the BF published schedule, which take into account the additional requirements surrounding these events.

FIE Junior (U20) World Championships

Normally held in April the Junior World Championships has an individual and team event. Up to 4 athletes can compete in each (individual and team) event and how they are selected are set out in GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES.

This is different from the Cadet World Championships where there is only an individual event and only 3 places per weapon.

Fencers must have an FIE licence (GBR) to compete at this event.

For these events, athletes are expected to travel (entry and exit) according to the BF published schedule, which take into account the additional requirements surrounding these events.

There are a few Junior FIE World Cup events that are not designated as nominated or development and are available for direct entry. There are no BF ranking points available for fencers that compete in these events.

However, there will still be entry limits and requirements to provide referees above a certain number of athletes (or pay a fine).

If you want to be entered for a ‘non-nominated’ competition please complete this form GBR INDIVIDUAL ENTRY FORM TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.

BF will let you know if a referee is needed – your club/coach should be able to connect you with referees in the community who might be available and BF can provide referee contact details on request.

Yes, the FIE set out the rules for minimum equipment standards.  If you aren’t sure whether your kit complies the best place to start is by asking your fencing coach.

FIE AND EFC EQUIPMENT RULES

DOMESTIC VARIATIONS FROM FIE RULES 

INTERNATIONAL FENCING CHECKLIST 

Equipment will normally be checked by some form of weapon control at the event – GBR GUIDE TO WEAPON CHECK

FIE Weapon Control  – Your safety is our mission! (youtube.com)

INTERNATIONAL FENCING CHECKLIST

BF publishes a series of TRAVEL GUIDES designed to support people travelling to competitions, particularly where international events are held in the same place each year.

We rely on community feedback to keep these up to date. Please email [email protected] if you have any information or suggestions for inclusion.

There are a variety of ways that you can track your individual progress and this should be done regularly with your coach as part of managing your IADP.

You can track your rankings (BF/EFC or FIE) on their respective websites.

BF also publishes:

• Individual U20 Performance Data
• ATHLETES OR TEAMS MEETING THE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

The FIE and Ophardt also publish individual athlete biographies – which show head to head results.

You (or your parent if U18) should let us know as soon as you can.

Ongoing issues should be recorded in Sport:80 – and you will be asked for permission to share these with competition organisers. This is very important. There are many hidden disabilities that BF and competitions organisers can put in support mechanisms for – but only if they know!

When you are selected for a managed squad event (eg Junior World Cups, Junior Euros/Worlds) you will be asked to complete a form which will ask you about any injury/illness/disability. We need you (or if U18 your parent) to tell us about these so we can help manage and support you. We appreciate that sometimes athletes are worried that informing us of an injury or illness may impact their selection status. However an athlete’s welfare is paramount and should not be neglected (and if the athlete is U18 there exists an enhanced duty of care).

If an athlete is taking any form of medication they must check  https://globaldro.com/Home and apply for TUEs as appropriate. More information here: Anti-Doping – BRITISH FENCING

The FIE has a safeguarding framework in place which sit alongside the welfare structure in the UK.

It is mandated that all people in positions of authority over athletes representing GBR must undergo safeguarding and anti-doping training.

This means that parents travelling with Cadets and Juniors and coaches must undertake training.

Why? We want to ensure we avoid the situations where parents have:

• assumed that if they give their child medication and their child fails a doping test somehow everything will be OK.
• purchased medication in chemists abroad and give it to their child without checking, assuming it is OK
• taken their children to the doctors and not checked prescribed medication against the banned list, assuming it is OK.
• not applied for the necessary TUEs, assuming it will be OK

Testing Process for Minors | UK Anti-Doping (ukad.org.uk)

With regards to safeguarding, the FIE is working hard to eliminate athlete abuse and harassment. However there will be times that you will witness young athletes being treated in a way that we (BF, EFC, FIE) would consider unacceptable. It is important to understand how everyone can play their part in reporting such instances. In addition there is a risk that parents and coaches might look at how some top performing athletes are being treated in different countries and cultures and this that this might be something to copy or role model.

GBR SELECTIONS – MANDATORY SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

FIE Safeguarding

FIE Rules

One of the most important documents in the world of GBR fencing is the GBR Selection Policy. This is published every season, and changes are consulted on with the community.

The Policy is published here: GBR SELECTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The people involved in administering GBR representational activities can be found here: GBR CONTACTS & SELECTION PANELS.

It’s important to understand the process that sits behind selection – there is an assumption that selections are done immediately on the date that the rankings are closed, however the administration is more complicated – GBR SELECTION TIMELINE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

For coaches and parents new to the selection process we have published some specific GBR Selection Advice and Guidance for Parents and Coaches. This advice includes: Read selection policies, input into consultations, don’t make assumptions about the calendar, prepare for non selection, don’t make ‘supporter’ travel plans too early, prepare for selection (money and logistical planning), check-in with coaches mid-season, help maintain individual athlete development plans, and what to do (and not to do!) if your child isn’t selected.

No you don’t, but if an athlete is serious about wanting to represent GBR at major events it is strongly advised.

The purpose of the GBR Pathway Programme (previously called the ADP – which stands for Athlete Development Programme) is to support and develop GBR athletes to international success.

Every athlete that is close to being selected for a Cadet or Junior European or World Championships will be invited onto the GBR Pathway Programme.

The GBR Pathway delivers athlete development support and education both in person (through camps) and online (zoom sessions). The GBR Pathway curriculum is designed to accelerate individual and team performance development, build relationships with other athletes and coaches, and support welfare and sport integrity.

Most of the GBR pathway activities are subsidised by Sport England Talent funding, hence why the in-person camps are typically held in England.

Yes, you have to compete at the corresponding National Championships – so if you want to compete at Junior internationals you need to compete in the Junior National Championships.

There are some circumstances under which athletes can apply for an exemption.

For information please read GBR Pre-requisites – National Championships.

Yes you can appeal but make sure that you know the circumstances under which an appeal can be made.

Where athletes have failed to meet published qualification standards there are limited circumstances under which they can appeal. More information can be found here: GBR SELECTION APPEALS POLICY 

Please also read GBR Selection Advice and Guidance for Parents and Coaches.

U20 (Junior World Cups/Major Events) – Not during the event, although the official entry points are in country so parents  of U18s (if selected) sometimes choose to travel with their children.

More information:

GBR PARENTS AT FIE COMPETITIONS

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM A GBR ATHLETE IN COMPETITION

Athletes have responsibilities too, irrespective of age. As athletes get older they are expected to take on more of the administration responsibilities that their parents previously took on, but there are a basic set of responsibilities that all athletes representing GBR internationally are expected to have.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM A GBR ATHLETE IN COMPETITION 

1. Personal accountability: athletes are expected to be personally accountable for their own behaviour and understand the codes of conduct.  GBR athletes are expected to behave like performance athletes and in doing so act as ambassadors and role models for the sport, inspiring others with their achievements.
2. Kit (weapons and clothing): athletes are expected to turn up with fully functioning kit, compliant with current FIE rules, and understand how to test, diagnose and fix basic weapon issues with tools they have brought themselves. They should also be able to get kitted up by themselves and pack their own fencing bags.
3. Nutrition: athletes are expected to be able to manage their own food and drink intake and have a basic understanding of their personal needs in regards to fuelling and hydrating before, during and after competitions.
4. Warm-up, cool downs and recovery protocols – athletes are expected to have their own protocols that they have developed with the support of their personal coach and practiced at training and in non GBR competitions.
5. Medication: athletes must understand the rules on anti-doping and the concept of Strict Liability. Athletes must also take personal responsibility for taking their own medication (learning to check in the Global DRO portal and TUEs may be required in advance.
6. Competition format: athletes should know how a competition is run. They should be able to read and understand poule sheets and tableaus. They should be confident in navigating the standard websites used by international competition organisers eg Fencing Time Live  and Engarde
7. Independence: athletes should not need a parent (or coach) at the end of the piste to feel OK to fence. It is becoming increasingly common that poules take place in areas where supporters and coaches are not permitted at the end of the piste. Athletes should also be able to focus on the match they fence in without the last question to the coach or thought in their head being ‘Where’s my mum/dad?’.
8. Follow instructions and rules: rules are there for a reason, and being part of a GBR squad, and participating in an international federation event means following the rules (whether these are put in place by BF/EFC/FIE/Local event organisers), respecting authority and adapting behaviour where necessary. This can be anything from respecting accreditation areas, wearing team tracksuits to not drinking alcohol.
9. Understand the rules of fencing: This sounds obvious but far too many athletes are unaware of rules and particularly penalties. This can lead to athletes losing hits and arguing unnecessarily with FIE referees which can have negative consequences for other GBR athletes too. Parents (even if they are themselves internationally qualified referees) should not interfere and argue with referees! The rulebooks are available in English, in PDF and as an app. Athletes on the GBR Pathway programme will be encouraged to get basic qualifications in refereeing so they can better understand the rules of the sport.

There are rules and conventions/choices laid out here:

GBR LOGOS, COUNTRY CODE, TRACKSUITS – BRITISH FENCING

Athletes qualifying for major events will be provided with a password for the BF Championship range tracksuits which must be worn for these events.

At FIE events full GBR tracksuits must be worn on podiums (no shorts, leggings etc).

First of all there is no requirement for a personal coach to travel to all events.

Reason’s include:

• It is costly – there are plenty of development experiences that a fencer can have without their coach needing to be present.
• It can limit development – athletes need to learn to make independent decisions and problem solve on the piste and developing an over reliance on a coach particularly at an early age can limit future development.
• It can sometimes distract or put additional stress on athletes which can result in poorer performances.
• Not all coaches will get accreditation for major event, and in some major events coaches will not be permitted near pistes for the poules so an athlete must become accustomed to competing without their personal coach present.

When personal coaches do wish to travel there are mandatory requirements and they may need accreditation (rules set by FIE). Personal coaches are also expected to be supporting the fencer’s development through managing the IAPD along with the fencer and their parent/guardian.

For FIE Junior World Cup events, BF will appoint GBR Coaches to support the individual and team event . Personal coaches (that meet BF & FIE standards) should apply for accreditation if they wish to travel.

For Junior Euros/Worlds there will be official GBR Coach appointments made . And in some cases personal coaches will be permitted and accredited to attend for individual events.

More information: COACH ACCREDITATION

Personal Coach – Behaviours and Responsibilities

It is the expectation of BF that if a coach wants to support a fencer in a GBR squad that they are prepared to engage/communicate with the BF team throughout the preceding season and follow the processes that we lay out and attend any associated camps for the team. This isn’t just about how they support the athlete, it’s also about the impact that their presence can have on the other athletes. Particularly if the coach themselves requires a lot of guidance and support from the BF team (staff and coaches) which detracts from the resources available to support everyone else.

If your personal coach is not already engaged with BF (eg attending ADP/GBR camps) during the season and you think you might want them to accompany you to a major championships please discuss this with them as early as possible in the season and encourage them to reach out to us and get involved.

There are not enough accreditations for every athlete to have their personal coach attend and priority will be given to those athletes targeting medals and those coaches that can demonstrate an existing ability to collaborate and be part of the GBR coaching team and are actively managing IADPs for their fencers.

Personal coaches that don’t meet the minimum standards to support international fencers (safeguarding, checks, anti-doping) will not be accredited.

When a GBR Pathway Coach is appointed by BF to be a GBR Coach, they will take responsibility for the following:

• Review the athlete’s Travel and Emergency Information to understand any additional needs.
• Attend Squad meetings with Athletes and any attending personal coaches to confirm timings and expectations of the individual event.
• Collaborating with personal coaches to agree on coaching support for the individual event.
• Making decisions about coaching and support for the team events
• In conjunction with the appointed team manager, make changes to the team lineups where required.
• Support for GB athletes with the team event
• Arranging a team briefing and debrief before and after the team event
• Submission of the post-event report to the Pathway Director (via the Head of Performance Coaching.)
• They will be responsible for giving feedback to the Head of Performance Coaching on agreed development goals as part of the Junior World Cup/Nominated Event.

They will not be responsible for:

• Any team manager duties such as transfers, accommodation, etc

BF prefers that the team manager support coaching for events other than the Majors where logistically possible. Sometimes, where only a small squad travels, the Team Manager and Lead GBR coach may be the same person. Where they are not, the Team Manager will work with the Lead GBR coach regarding coaching activities.

• Pre Travel – complete and submit for approval the relevant risk assessment
• Check and review the athlete’s Travel and Emergency Information
• Setting up an athlete and staff WhatsApp communication group
• Manage the entry and exit points for the Athletes
• With the athletes agree, evening meals/restaurants
• Collecting entry money for teams from fencers?
• Being a point of contact for the competition organisers
• In conjunction with the attending GBR Coach, make any changes to the team lineups where required
• Administrative point of contact for GB athletes and parents during the event
• In conjunction with the attending GBR Coach, arrange the squad meetings and for the team event, arrange a team briefing and debrief before and after the team event
• Any team manager’s additional duties, such as transfers, accommodation, etc

They will not be responsible for:

• Coaching fencers

Athletes selected to compete are expected to be ready to independently join a group of other young people – in much the same way that they might have done on a school trip.

Like a school trip, parents will not be able to:

1. Stay in the same accommodation
2. Take their child in and out of the accommodation or away from the group activities
3. Interact with the coaching staff, especially when they are working – like a school trip there will be a designated point of parent contact

A guide on what to expect can be found here.

Some of the administration and activities (camps, sending coaches to events) that supports the U17 and U20 activities is funded by Sport England as part of the Sport England Talent funding.

British Fencing does not have it’s own resources to fund athletes – to do so membership fees for everyone involved in fencing would have to increase considerably. As the NGB we can support athletes with funding applications and signpost athletes to opportunities that they can apply for:

ATHLETE FUNDING & SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES – BRITISH FENCING