This is information to help guide and manage fencers’, parents’, and coaches’ expectations regarding selection for the international competition season 2024-25 at the Cadet, Junior, U23, and Senior levels.
In this post
General Qualification Standards for Season 2025-26 (New): Due to an increase in cancellations and relocations in the FIE and EFC calendar and a decrease in the number of international competitions in Europe, starting from the 2024-25 season, the final individual rankings will be based on the best three results from ALL nominated competitions in the same category within the previous 12 months. It means that results from over a year ago are not used in the selection process. For example, if a selection takes place in February 2026, a result from January 2025 will not be counted.
U23 Europeans Qualification Standards (New): All nominated senior events (satellites and U23s) can be used to meet the 35% qualification standard for U23s.
Selection Points (Reminder): The Selection Point is the date when the data in the rankings is locked, and the selection process can begin. The ambition is to complete the selection process within five working days. (If the Selection point is a Tuesday, the selection will be completed by the following Tuesday)
There will be earlier selection points for Cadet and Junior Europeans and Worlds to allow qualified athletes the opportunity to be selected and make more affordable travel plans.
Cadets Squads (Reminder): An eligible squad of 20 fencers will be selected for the first two Nominated EFC Cadet events. The size of the nominated cadet event squad will then depend on the performance levels of each squad. In general, squads of 14 will be selected, with a reserves list of up to 6 fencers and three teams, based on athlete availability and with the permission of the organisers. For the final two EFC events, discretionary selection will focus on fencers staying in cadets to support their preparation for the 2025-26 season.
Cadet Teams (New): Historically, teams for EFC events have been selected based on rankings. This season, different combinations will be used. The purpose is to see how team members work together or give them more opportunities to compete.
Junior U20 Nominated Competitions (New): In the past few years, there has been a noticeable shift in the U20s FIE Calendar, with an increasing number of European-based events scheduled for January and February. (See news post here). The FIE calendar for 2024-25 reveals a reduction in European-based Junior World Cup (JWC) competitions. This poses a significant challenge in ensuring adequate, timely, and cost-effective opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities and meet the qualification standards before the European and World Championships selection.
To address this challenge, alternative European-based competitions are being introduced in the 2024-25 nominated competition list. For Juniors, this will include Satellite competitions and three to four new European competitions for the U20 and U23 age groups.
New European-based competitions (New): The EFC set out the maximum squad sizes (currently 24 in total: 12 U20s and 12 U23s, increasing to 16 U20s where U23 places are not all filled)
U23s – EFC U23 circuit events (Reminder): There is usually no defined entry limit, so fencers meeting the GBR eligibility criteria (found in the GBR Selection Policy) can attend using the appropriate web form request. (Note that EFC U23 ranking events are Senior Open events nominated for U23 EFC ranking points. You do not have to be U23 to enter the event.)
Disclaimer: This news post is not the GBR Selection Document and is not intended as a replacement for that document. Athletes who wish to represent Great Britain, along with their coaches and parents, are expected to read the Selection Document rather than rely on summaries and news post contents. No selection appeals will be permitted based on the contents/interpretation of this news post.
GBR Support Contact Us: For general support/international competition administration/urgent queries, email us via [email protected]
For feedback and questions, use the pathway/ADP queries form.
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