The purpose of the domestic competition series structure is to:
British Ranking competitions (BRCs) must be registered and sanctioned through BF. If approved by BF, they will appear on the GBR Calendars.
There are 4 BRC Event Types for U20, U17 and U14 age groups- A, B, C and D Events. Descriptions of each type can be found in the table below.
Several approved BRC competition formats exist, and different formats are intended to support fencers’ development at various times of the season.
A fencer is not required to attend all BRCs. Thus, we expect that there will be some BRCs held on weekends when an international squad may be travelling. This will provide development opportunities for the athletes who have not been selected (or cannot travel), which will help the development of those athletes who will make up future GBR squads. Rankings continue to be made up of the best 6 results.
| Event Type | Description | Age Groups | Format | Events | Indicative Multiplier |
‘A’ Event – A BRCs are designed to replicate the competitive experience of an international competition where the focus is about learning to perform on the occasion.
Typical standard entry fees range from £60 to £80.
|
There will be a few ‘A’ BRCs with the most significant ranking point multipliers, which will be the performance focus for athletes wanting to qualify to represent GBR in the current season.
These A BRCs will use poule(s)/DE formats (with or without repechage). These are often held in large venues to accommodate the size of the competition. These events are run by or delivered on behalf of BF. Entries must be taken through Sport80. Results are uploaded on Sport80 within one business day after the final day of the competition. These events will typically include: Field of play rules applied. Conductive pistes. Referees are provided throughout. |
Under 14
|
A single round of poules with no cut. 100% promotion.
Direct Elimination with or without repechage
|
BYC U14 Championship (May)
British Under Open Championships (Jul) BRC A Event (Sept) |
175 to 250 |
| Cadet (U17)
|
A single round of poules, typically with a cut
Direct Elimination with or without repechage
|
British Senior Open Championships (July)
Cadet Nationals (Sep) BRC A event (Dec) |
175 to 500 | ||
| Junior (U20 | A single round of poules with a cut.
Direct Elimination with or without repechage
|
British Senior Championships (Apr)
British Senior Open Championships (July) Junior Nationals (Sep) BRC A event (Sep) Under 23 Champs (Sep to Jan) |
175 to 300 | ||
‘B’ Event – B BRCs are great for a competitive experience, where fencers learn to compete for longer providing good value and the opportunity to compete against more fencers. They support fencers both new to competitive circuit and fencers trying to improve their ranking for international selection.
Typical standard entry fees range from £35 to £50. |
These events are run by private organisers BF has appointed to run these events. These are run to the standards set by BF.
Entries must be taken through Sport80. Results are uploaded on Sport80 within one business day after the final day of the competition. Event formats can vary from the following: A minimum of two rounds of poules with no cut. 100% promotion. Conductive pistes from L16 (foil, epee). Marked out and safe (sabre). Organisers may use repechage, split the events (top 16 separated, DEs fighting for places, or use only poules (progressive poules format) if they wish. The formats must be advertised at the event, signed up and agreed by BF in advance. Organisers are expected to provide referees. Level 3 referees from the last 8.
|
Under 14
Cadet Junior |
Two rounds of poules with no cut. 100% Promotion.
|
Any nominated ‘B’ BRC event that appears on Sport80. | 100 to 130
|
 ‘C’ Event – these are preexisting and new events designed to provide localised competition experiences but are open Nationally to all fencers of the relevant age category.
Typical standard entry fees range from £20 to £45. |
Organisers can run any recognised event format they choose – if it adheres to the BF Ranking Scheme.
Delivered by private organisers. They are open Nationally to all fencers. Entries may be taken through Sport80 but are not required. Results are uploaded on Sport80 within one business day after the final day of the competition. Events may run on conductive pistes – but not required. Referees who have a reasonable level of competence are expected to be provided. These events should not be self-refereed. Fencers’ equipment rules must be the same as the ‘A’ and ‘B’ events. Age group definitions need to be adhered to. More info |
Under 14
Cadet Junior |
Standard event formats. Minimum of one round of poules. A cut may or may not be used. | Any nominated ‘C’ BRC event that registered on Sport80. | 70 – (32 and above starting fencers in competition)
35 – (16-31 starting fencers) 15 – (less than 16 fencers)
|
‘D’ Event – preexisting and new events designed to provide localised competition experiences open to country and regional fencers – or targeted intermediate-level fencers of the relevant age category. |
Organisers can run any recognised event format they choose – if it adheres to the BF Ranking Scheme.
These events are closed– i.e County Championships Regional Championships National Closed Events (e.g. Welsh Closed). Intermediate events. Entries may be taken through Sport80 but are not required. Results must be uploaded on Sport80. Age group definitions need to be adhered to. More info |
Under 14
Cadet Junior |
Standard event formats. Minimum of one round of poules. A cut may or may not be used.
A ‘Poule unique’ can be used depending on if less than ten fencers compete. |
Any nominated ‘D’ BRC event that registered on Sport80. | 10, irrespective of entry numbers. |
| Designated Senior Events | These are privately run nominated events that are awarded points for Junior fencers.
These events are run to the standards set out in the sanctioning rules set by BF. |
Junior | Welsh Open (all weapons)
|
This is not to be confused with the UK rating system, which uses letters to categorise individual fencer standards. More info
“The format of all BRCs should align to international competitions.”
Running identical formats is unnecessary to prepare athletes to succeed in international competitions. Many other sports use different formats in domestic competitions to prepare their athletes. Many successful fencing nations (including France and Germany) run different fencing competitions from the standard FIE format, which allows athletes to develop various skills. Most fencers in a classic fencing competition format will be eliminated after one poule and one full round of DE, exacerbating the existing developmental gap. Additionally, international competitions are often significantly larger than domestic competitions and require athletes to fence wider varieties of fights than they would to win a domestic event. Different formats are therefore needed to develop other skills.
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