A GUIDE TO THE GBR STRUCTURED SEASON

The structured GBR season model is based on recognised competition windows. It is published to support competition planning and periodisation and help parents, coaches, and fencers select the most appropriate competitions based on target goals, stages of development, and actual competition results.

It follows the principles of:

• Using domestic results and performances to demonstrate readiness to fence up a domestic level or be selected for nominated international competition.
• Using nominated international competitions to allow athletes to demonstrate readiness to compete in the major championships, evidenced by meeting the relevant qualification standards.
• Seasons, setting Foundation, Experience, and Performance levels in the U17, U20, and U23 age groups to help identify milestone events.
• There is increased opportunity and choice in the system throughout the year to allow for age and stage, as well as illness, injury, exams, school holidays, etc.

Understanding the Competitions

Cadet and Junior Ranking Events (BRCs)

The Cadet and Junior Ranking Events (BRCs) are split into A/B/C categories.

‘A’ BRCs are ranking events like the Cadet and Junior National Championships. Their purpose is to provide fencers seeking GBR selection with the opportunity to demonstrate the “ability to perform on the day” under pressurised conditions. This ability is a key determinant of international success and an indicator in the BF Performance Matrix.

The ‘A’ events will have a higher multiplier than the ‘B’ events as they are targeted toward fencers looking to fence internationally and achieve the qualification standards required for selection to the Cadet and Junior European and World Championships.

‘B’ BRCs are ranking events licensed by BF; the ‘B’ events will follow formats designed to provide greater ‘time on task’ – at this time, the format is two rounds of poules followed by direct elimination. This format provides greater opportunity for fencers to develop techniques and tactics and the confidence to use these in ‘A’ BRCs and subsequently in international competition.

Events between May and July are targeted to provide a greater development opportunity for those fencers new to the age group who are looking to gain experience.

Athletes aiming to be selected for GBR are not required to attend every ‘B’ event. The fencers themselves should decide to participate in a competition, with support from their parents and coach. Fencers are encouraged to make choices based on their development and circumstances.

Just because BF offers competitive ranking or selection opportunities, it doesn’t mean that every eligible fencer must participate.

‘C’ BRCs are smaller, local events where fencers starting out in ranking competitions are encouraged to participate to experience competition fencing before entering a ‘B’ or ‘A’. The multipliers for these events will be lower than for Bs and As.

Fencers in the top 10 in the UK are unlikely to attend these events unless perhaps they are on a returning-to-play pathway after injury/illness.

Nominated International Competitions

Cadets: Based on the EFC requirement to provide referees (or pay fines) and the number of fencers who attended last season’s competition, we will continue to use a tiered numbers approach for EFC cadet competitions to create affordable opportunities for athletes to compete.

We plan to begin the season with full squads of 20, gradually reducing to 14 as the season progresses. This is based on the experience that fencers who are not meeting (or near meeting) performance levels will drop away during the season to focus on other more affordable development opportunities to prepare for the following season.

Cadets transitioning to Juniors: Discretionary selection for Junior World Cups towards the end of the FIE Junior World Cup season (January onwards) will focus on those athletes whose Individual Athlete Development Plans and Cadet performances indicate early potential to step up.

Juniors: For Junior World Cup competitions, squad sizes of nine or 12 will be set pre-season early in the season based on factors such as the number of fencers in the ranking list, referee availability/cost of fines, and the time of the year the competition takes place. This decision considers historical data on the number of top eight athletes who accepted their places.

The aim is to ensure the right level of competition at the right time and to fill places for Junior World Cups. Irrespective of squad size, the top eight fencers in the ranking will be selected, and an additional one to four discretionary places will be offered to make up a maximum squad size of nine or 12.

Due to the current FIE calendar, it is likely that alternative international competitions will be nominated to create more affordable opportunities for more athletes to compete (e.g. on the new EFC U20/23 circuit or at identified FIE Satellites)

FIE Satellite Events (Senior events): There is usually no defined entry limit, so fencers meeting the GBR eligibility criteria (found in the GBR Selection Policy) can attend using the appropriate web form request. According to the published formula, U23s and FIE satellite competitions will be included in the annual referee allocation process.

FIE Senior World Cups & Grand Prix: The goal is to select a complete squad of 12 fencers, with the top 8 ranked fencers automatically making the squad and four discretionary places available, along with up to four reserves. Some weapon groups may utilise rotation to give more senior international athletes experience that is in line with their development trajectory, to increase the number of athletes in the FIE ranking, and to challenge athlete performance.

(For more information about discretionary selection: DISCRETIONARY SELECTION.) Selection numbers in a season may be influenced by the quantity and ability level of fencers in the senior rankings, as well as by risk assessment and the location of the competition venue.

MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Major Championship Selection: The selection process for major championships is based on athletes meeting the qualification standards outlined in the selection policy. In cases where a full squad is being selected, and there are not enough qualified athletes to complete the selection, the selection panel will use discretionary factors from the selection policy.

Ranking information in the discretionary selection process is minimal and only used when other discretionary factors cannot provide a sufficient point of difference for selection.

For all discretionary selections, if fencers’ % finish levels exceed a minimum standard of 60%, the GBR Pathway Team reserves the right not to select full squads. 

2025 Europeans: Cadets (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad, subject to minimum standards.

2025 Europeans: Juniors (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad, subject to minimum standards.

2025 Europeans: U23s (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad, subject to minimum standards.

2025 Europeans: Seniors (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad. subject to minimum standards. With teams, discretionary elements of team selection will consider the ambition of the Olympic trajectories.

2025 Worlds: Cadet (Individual Event Only) Only fencers meeting the qualification standard will be eligible for selection.

2025 Worlds: Junior and Seniors (Individual Event Only) Only fencers meeting the qualification standard will be eligible for selection. Fencers not meeting the qualification standard may be selected for the team, and the selectors will consider the opportunity for fencers to gain experience in preparation for the Major Championships in the following seasons.

Using the Structured Season Examples (Cadet/Juniors)

Please take note of the following:

Each fencer has additional commitments along their fencing journey, such as family events (like weddings and holidays) and their education (GCSEs, A Levels, degrees).

Fencing activities can vary in terms of training camps and competition levels. The season lasts longer for fencers who compete in both junior and senior age groups.

In the season planning or a longer performance plan, it is important to consider these factors and plan key dates, breaks, and, where possible, the “What ifs”—unexpected factors such as illness or injury—at key times of the plan. These planning activities are critical to supporting the athlete and increasing the probability of success.

For more information see: GBR Athlete Resources