In early November Steve Garratt, Talent Pathway Manager will be taking up a new role within the Insight Team at Sport England.

Steve Kemp will take over management of the new GBR Programme (https://www.britishfencing.com/gbr-fencing/gbr-development-programmes/), which includes the GBR Performance Coaching Programme, GBR Workforce Programme and the GBR Athlete Development Programme (ADP).

As part of this, Steve will be leading on the work (already in progress) to secure Sport England funding for the GBR Athlete Development Programme (15-23) beyond April 2019.  This will involve reviewing the current organisational structure and future strategy of GBR Programmes in light of likely public funding cuts, particularly from April 2021.

In the meantime Steve will also be responsible for ensuring that work continues on the delivery of the Sport England Funded 18/19 Athlete Development Programme.  He will be supported by the existing BF team and additionally contracted Athlete Development Programme coaching resource.

Over the next few weeks the focus will be:

• The documentation of the “Fencer Development Pathway” – Steve Garrett supported by Steve Kemp, based on the work to date with the Athlete Development Coaches, the learnings from the World Class Programme and the latest research into athlete development
• The GBR Athlete Development Camps in October and December – Rob Cawdron supported by Stuart Haw and the team of Athlete Development Programme Coaches List of current ADP Coaches
• For a number of Athlete Development Programme Coaches, BF will be launching the Developing People Programme.  This 8 month programme looking at coaching methodologies and the Coach and Athlete relationship – Steve Kemp
• Ensuring the policies and procedures are embedded to support the volunteers working in the new Junior selection structure – Maxine McCombie/Clare Halsted
• Running additional GBR Team Manager training to up skill and increase the Team Manager workforce – Nickie Bailey

Niels Fedderson is continuing with his research work into the athlete performance environment that will feed into all our Athlete Development activities.  The DiSE programme (formally AASE) will continue to be managed by Neil Brown, as it is inculcated into the Fencer Development Pathway.  The normal day to day support of the Cadet and Junior competition programme and international representation will continue as before.

BF congratulate Steve Garrett on his appointment, thank him for his work on the BF University and Talent Programmes, and wish him well and success in his new role.