About British Fencing

British Fencing (BF) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Olympic and Paralympic Sport of Fencing in the British Isles (excluding the Republic of Ireland).

British Fencing exists to serve the athletes, clubs, coaches, referees and countless volunteers who make up the British Fencing community. We also exist to promote the sport and support the creation of welcoming and inclusive environments to experience fencing and grow our community.

We aim to support our members on every step of their development journeys, helping them to realise their goals in a safe, enjoyable and respectful environment.

Our resources are allocated across all ability levels: assisting new beginners, recreational fencers as well as elite international and Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

We understand the vital importance of accessibility, inclusivity and diversity, which we actively promote through our programmes.

We believe that fencing is for everyone.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

At the highest level, British Fencing sets and maintains the framework for all formal fencing activity within the UK. We decide how the rules of the sport are applied. We determine how domestic competition is structured. We calculate the national rankings and decide how athletes are selected to represent Great Britain at international competition (excluding Veterans).

On a day-to-day basis, we are responsible for the basic administration of the sport, including maintaining registers of members, clubs and coaches. We provide coach education, insurance cover for our members, communications (including ‘The Sword’ magazine), and support our members through online and physical resource.

Our core National Governing Body activities include safeguarding and volunteer management and delivery of National Championships.

Our Sport England funded Participation centred programmes (delivered in England) include London Youth, Muslim Girls Fence, Scouts and HE.

Our Athlete Development Programme supports athletes in achieving Olympic  and Paralympic success and inspiring others through a defined development pathway to success at the highest level of fencing.

For more information about our Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives please click here.

OUR ORGANISATION

The work of BF is overseen by a Board of Directors led by an Independent Chair.  In accordance with the UK’s Code for Sport Governance, the Board is comprised of a mix of independent directors, and those elected directly by our members. The Board aims to maintain the highest standards of corporate and sport governance, which it continuously reviews. BF has a President, appointed by the Board and ratified by the members at the AGM.

For information on our organisational structure and our executive team please click here.

As the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Fencing in the United Kingdom and the recognised National Governing Body for the sport of Fencing in England, we work with the support of Sport England and UK Sport, who provide the majority of our funding. The remainder comes through our commercial activities, including and licensing, and membership fees. For information on how membership fee income is spent please click here.

Membership of BF includes membership of the Home Nation associations – 40% of membership fees is passed onto the Home Nations to support their work in developing fencing.

We work in close cooperation of a number of affiliated bodies, including the Home Nations Associations, The FIE (International Fencing Federation), British Veterans Fencing and many others.

HAVE YOUR SAY

British Fencing is an open and transparent organisation. We are always interested in the views and suggestions of our members.

For details on who and how to contact us please visit our Contact Us page.

HOW BF IS FUNDED

BF is funded primarily from membership income, commercial activities and grants from our stakeholders, Sport England and UK Sport.

Our core National Governing Body activities include club and member support services, insurance, communications (including ‘The Sword’), safeguarding and volunteer management and delivery of National Championships. We retain 60% of our membership income to help fund this with the remaining 40% going to the Home Nation associations to support grass roots participation and Home Nation representative fencing. Our commercial activities, including coach education and licensing, also provide funding to support these core activities. For information on how membership fee income is spent please click here.

Participation Programmes – whilst grass roots development is the remit of the Home Nations, BF also apply to external organisations to fund additional Projects and Programmes which are designed to improve the experiences of those participating in fencing, creating a more diverse, inclusive  and accessible sport. Our Sport England funded Participation centred programmes (delivered in England) include London Youth, Muslim Girls Fence, Scouts and HE.  Funding is awarded based on strict and defined conditions and the programmes run by funded staff. An element of funding will also cover some head office management time and costs spent overseeing this programme. No membership income is used to support to these programmes.

Athlete Development Programme – Our Athlete Development Programme is a six weapon programme that exists to support athletes in achieving Olympic success and inspiring others. It covers athletes from age 15 to 35 (and beyond for those performing at Olympic level) who are moving through a defined development pathway to success at the highest level of fencing. It is supported by funding from both Sport England (‘Talent’ funding) and UK Sport (Progression & Podium). Funding is awarded based on strict and defined conditions and the programmes are managed by funded staff. An element of funding will also cover some head office management time and costs spent overseeing this work. No membership income is used to support to this programme, although individual athletes in the programme will typically contribute to the cost of activities they participate in. Further information about how the ADP is funded and what benefits ADP athletes receive can be found here. Alongside the Sport England and UK Sport NGB funding, there are a number of additional funding opportunities available to BF and/or athletes, more information can be found here. For more information about the funding we receive from UK Sport please click here.

For information about the funding we receive from Sport England please click here.

For information about the funding we receive from UK Sport please click here.

British Fencing is a company limited by guarantee no 1917099. Registered in England & Wales. VAT registration 226658348

The BF Head Office is based at 1 Baron’s Gate, 33-35 Rothschild Road, London, W4 5HT.

President Pat Aiyenuro

Chair Sara Pantuliano

CEO Georgina Usher

Return to the About Us Zone to find out more information about the work that we do.