ADP APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SELECTION 2023-2024

Updates to the ADP selection framework to help guide and manage the expectations of fencers, parents and coaches in relation to selection for the international competition season 2023-24 at Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior level.

FIE Junior calendar changes in season 2022-23 saw more European based events moving to January and February. This has continued in the 2023-24 calendar. This creates a challenge to allow sufficient and affordable opportunity for athletes to demonstrate ability to meet standards, prior to the selection for European and World Championships.

In addition the new EFC competition rules will impact on this season 2023-24, increasing costs significantly for those Cadets wishing to travel to EFC events to cover additional referees/fines.

In this post:

• Summary Points
• More Detailed Information by Age Group Competition
• 2023-24 Season Planning: Cadet and Junior European and World Championships Selection Points

Summary Points

• Cadets – Based on updated EFC Cadet Competition Referee ratios and fencers attending last seasons competition a tiered numbers approach will be used for EFC cadet competitions. Last season there were only 3 occasions out of 30 where a full selected squad of 20 ended up accepting selection and attending the event. Depending on the final number this can mean (thanks to the new rules) significantly increased costs for BF or the athletes. Therefore is is our intention to start the season with full squads of  64* or 20 both reducing to 14 as the season progresses.
  8 EFC Manchester entry limit for GBR is 64 per weapon group
• Cadets transitioning to Juniors – Discretionary selection for Junior World Cups towards the end of the FIE Junior World Cup season (January onwards) will be focussed on those athletes whose Individual Athlete Development Plans along with their Cadet performances indicate early potential to step up.
• Qualification Standards – For season 2024-25 due to the increasing rate of cancellation and re-locations in the FIE and EFC calendar and the reduction in numbers of international competitions being held in Europe, from season 2024-25 the final individual placing percentages will be best three from ALL nominated competitions in same competitive category in the previous 12 months. (Therefore if a selection takes place in Feb 2025 a result from Jan 2024 would not count.)
• Selection Points – There will be earlier selection points for Cadet and Junior Europeans and Worlds to allow qualified athletes the opportunity to be selected and make more affordable travel plans.

More Detailed Information by Age Group Competition

Cadets 
For first Nominated EFC Cadet events where possible a full eligible squad will be selected. The following six events per weapon. Squads of 14 will be selected with a reserves list of up to 6 fencers and 4 teams based on athlete availability and any if permitted by the organisers. Discretionary selection for the final two EFC events will focus on those fencers that are NOT aging out of cadets to support preparation for their 2024-25 season.

Cadet fencers will be encouraged when developing their competition plans to consider other opportunities to gain international experiences such as non-nominated events and overseas domestic competitions. Events such as the Marathon-Fleuret in Paris.

NB: The athlete referee contributions will increase to meet the cost of the referee requirements and/or fines.

Juniors
For Junior World Cups squad sizes 9 or 12 will be determined early in the season. This decision will based on the number of fencers in the ranking list, referee availability and time of the year the competition is taking place which historically impacts the number of top 8 athletes who accept their places.  Based on the principle of the right level competition at the right time, the ambition is to fill places for Junior World Cups.

The top 8 fencers in the ranking will be selected and another 1 or 4 places will be offered as a discretionary place to make up a maximum squad size of 9 or 12.

Junior fencers when developing their competition plans should consider senior opens, U23 events and FIE satellite competition circuit events. Noting that certain competitions will required GBR referees (or fines to be paid).

U23s (EFC U23 circuit events)
There is usually no defined entry limit, so fencers meeting the GBR eligibility criteria (found in the GBR Selection Policy) will be able to attend using the appropriate web form request. (Note that EFC U23 ranking events are Senior Open events nominated for U23 EFC ranking points. You do not have to be U23 to enter the event.). GBR Referees are required according to published formula, fencers are responsible for sourcing if required and costs split equally.

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) will be able to attend using the appropriate web form request. GBR Referees are required according to published formula, fencers are responsible for sourcing if required and costs split equally. (more information here)

FIE Senior World Cups & Grand Prix
The aim is to select a full squad of 12, the top 8 ranked fencers an automatic selection and 4 discretionary places and up to 4 reserves.  The ambition of the ADT is to expose more athletes to Senior international experience in line with their trajectory development and to have more athlete in the FIE ranking
Factor that may influence selection numbers in a season are the numbers and level of ability of the fencers in the senior rankings. The risk assessment and location of the competition venue.

Major Championships

Europeans – Cadets (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad

Europeans – Juniors (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad

Europeans – U23s (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad

Europeans – Seniors (Individual and Team Event) Full Squad. With teams that do not qualify for Paris, 2024, discretionary elements of team selection will consider the Los Angeles 2028 ambition

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

Worlds – Junior (Individual Event Only) Only fencers meeting the qualification standard will be eligible for selection. Fencer not meeting the qualification standard maybe selected for the team and the selectors will consider the opportunity for fencers to gain experience in preparation for the Cadet/Junior Championships in 2025.

Worlds – Seniors – This competition is not held due to the Olympic Games

Olympics – See Olympic Nomination Policy here.

Disclaimer – This news post is not the GBR Selection Document and is not intended as a replacement for that document. Athletes who wish to represent Great Britain, along with their coaches and parents are expected to read the Selection Document rather than rely on summaries and news post contents. No selection appeals will be permitted based on the contents/interpretation of this news post.

ADP Contact Us
For general support/international competition administration/urgent queries email us via [email protected]

For feedback and questions, use the pathway/ADP queries form.

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