BF Athlete Representative Election Results

Following an election run by the British Athlete Commission, Will Deary joins Gemma Collis, Piers Gilliver, Billy Shepherd and Kat Smith Taylor on the BF Athlete Representative Panel.

Following a nomination and election process (announcements here and here) the following Athlete Representatives will form the BF Athlete Representative Panel:

• Women’s Epee – Kat Smith Taylor
• Women’s Para – Gemma Collis
• Men’s Epee – Billy Shepherd
• Men’s Para – Piers Gilliver
• Men’s Sabre – Will Deary

(No nominations were received from Foil or Women’s Sabre.)

More Information

The purpose of the BF Athlete Representation Panel (the ARP) is to provide a representative voice for GBR athletes on the GBR international performance pathway to Olympic success (‘Athletes’), in particular those involved with the BF Athlete Development Programme (‘ADP’). It is intended to:

• provide a group for Athletes on the performance pathway to share their feedback on all aspects of the GBR system and structure (as delivered by the BF Athlete Development Programme, excluding the elements delivered by the EIS Para Fencing World Class Programme)
• provide Athletes with a mechanism for ensuring their views on important matters are heard and communicated to the BF Senior Leadership Team and Board
• provide a two-way communication link between the Athletes and the BF Senior Leadership Team and BF Board.

Athletes will be provided with free training to support them in their roles, delivered by the British Athletes Commission.

Please note the following changes to the role of the ARP:

• Replaces the existing Senior Athlete Panel and the Youth Athlete Panel.
• An extended remit to cover the whole of the ADP. The ADP is the part of BF that delivers the GBR system and structure and covers all GBR international pathway activity from U17 through to Senior (excluding Veteran).
• Includes para fencing in relation to the elements of the GBR structure delivered by BF (WCP athletes are still welcome to stand for election).

Note on ADP Membership – The ADP is focussed on supporting 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. However any athlete who has been selected for a World Cup or Grand Prix can request to join the ADP and we will seek to include them in ADP activities in a developmentally appropriate way. If you are currently represent GBR at FIE World Cups or Grand Prix and wish to be part of the ADP please complete this form here. Before you do so, please check your junk mail as you may already be receiving invitations to participate in ADP activities.

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