FIE Executive Committee to start initiative to support female referees

Maxim Paramonov, Secretary General of the FIE announces new female referee training

Lausanne, 28 September 2011 – During its session in Lausanne on Friday, 23 September 2011, the FIE Executive Committee took several decisions. Among them was the decision to start an initiative that will support and retain female fencing referees and impart them with the tools to excel and advance.

The first refereeing course aimed specifically at women is planned to be held in November 2011 in Athens, Greece.

“Females leave fencing as officials, instructors and referees partly due to inadequate opportunities to participate at a higher level and develop their skills. We believe that support systems must be implemented to sustain women in these roles,” said Maxim Paramonov, Secretary General of the FIE.

The FIE also announced a revision of the corporate communication strategy with the objective to focus more on online communication. Part of this strategy is the launch of a promotional website at the beginning of October, the live streaming of the World Championships in Catania (8-16 October) on the YouTube as well as the launch of a digital version of the corporate magazine in November.

In addition, the FIE reports that during the FIE Congress in December in Philadelphia, USA, there will be a gala match between the winners of the FIE world cup series and the US fencing team. The winner of this relay match will be awarded with an attractive prize money donated by the FIE.

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Notes to Editors

About the FIE:

The Féderation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) is the international governing body for the Olympic sport of fencing. The FIE is based Lausanne, Switzerland. Currently, the FIE has 143 affiliated member federations.

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