Community Discussion Events – Summary of Discussions

Our Community Discussion Events have continued with recent sessions devoted to club officials and welfare officers.

A range of topics has been covered and discussed. These topics will be considered further as BF develops more specific guidelines around restarting Fencing.

Here are just a few of the areas of discussions so far:

Kit and Equipment

• Kit hygiene will be central to any restart of fencing. Risks significantly reduced by participants owning (and cleaning) own kit.
• Kit rental schemes suggested by several clubs. Important to ensure suitable cleaning between rental periods.
• For kit sharing or equipment that necessarily needs to be handled, expect strict cleaning/protection protocols.
• BF will publish more information.

Safeguarding

• This has to remain at the forefront of thinking. Just because we are coming out of lockdown we should not forget what good practice is in this area (eg no 1:1 coaching sessions with U18s).
• With all the new initiatives (eg online training) being implemented, welfare must be considered and parents/guardians of U18s communicated with.
• Information about online courses is being made more available to keep Welfare Officers and Coaches up to date during this time. See further information here
• Clubs to make sure they have a qualified Welfare Officer involved in any re-opening discussions – qualifications can be achieved online/virtually in lockdown.
• Welfare Officers should participate in dedicated community discussion events.

Competition

• BF will be keeping in close contact with the FIE to receive news about new schedules and announcements.
• Too early to comment on when competition may re-start.
• Opportunity to think about how we can change and adapt the traditional competition, creating competitions designed to inspire grass roots, young people within the constraints of the government guidelines.

Returning to Fencing

• Until there is provision for sport to have flexibility in the 2m social distancing measures, returning to actual fencing will not be possible.
• In the meantime clubs can make use of virtual sessions – see BF guidance on delivering virtual sessions here.
• As lockdown eases (at different rates in different Home Nations) some training may be possible – keep checking back on the BF website for more info.
• Coaches delivering S&C, footwork sessions – may be possible outside in some Home Nations – coaches must ensure they follow all government guidance and retain copies of their risk assessments.

Risk Assessment

• Important to liaise with facility provider when looking to return to club activity to understand what is required of anyone using the facility.
• BF will publish a sample risk assessment which can be used to prompt thinking. It will need to be adapted and expanded in light of specific government, facility and BF guidance at the time of re-opening.

These topics arose as part of a series of community discussion events designed to facilitate the creation and sharing of best practice during and after lockdown. A timetable of future discussions, along with sign up information, is available here.

As always, we will continue to update our COVID-19 advice here, with dedicated pages for clubs and coaches. You can also subscribe to our new weekly summary email – The Fencing Digest – featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.