Following the feedback we have received about the selection of the team for the Junior Europeans, I would like to clarify the process that will be used to select the GBR team for the Junior World Championships in 2015.  This process supplements the published policy outlined in the ‘British Junior Ranking and Selection Scheme 2014-15 – update 1’, which can be found on the British Fencing website by following this link:  http://www.britishfencing.com/uploads/files/junior_ranking_scheme_2014-15update1-9.7.14.pdf

The following is taken from the the published selection document:

• Selection for the Junior World Championships will take place on MONDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2015
• Up to three fencers may be selected for the individual event and up to four fencers for team event
• To achieve automatic qualification an athlete must have achieved 7500 ranking points from the best three results in the nominated Junior World Cup events
• Selection for the first two places will be made in order from the Junior ranking list on the selection date (16th February 2015) from fencers who have gained the qualifying standard of 7500 points
• The third, fourth and reserve places are discretionary and will be decided by the Performance Team
• If there are insufficient qualified fencers, the Performance Team MAY select any other fencer

Those athletes who are not a ‘World Class Programme athlete’ and have not yet or may not meet the qualification standard and wish to be considered for discretionary selection MUST follow the process outlined below:

Non Qualified Athletes – Request for Consideration for a Discretionary Selection
Any athlete not meeting the qualification standard and NOT on a World Class Talent or TIC Programme, but is in the Top 10 of the UK junior ranking list, is able to submit a request for discretionary selection.  The athlete MUST submit in writing any supporting / personal information that they wish the selectors to consider.  This information must be signed by the athlete (and/or Guardian if under 18) as to being an accurate representation of the athletes current performances and situation.  The information MUST be sent to Neil Brown at [email protected] by 5.00pm on Monday 9th February 2015.  Failure to submit this information will not mean that that an athlete is not considered, but those athletes that are not part of the WC Talent Programmes can use this as an opportunity to give additional information for the selectors to consider.

Performance Team Selection Panel
The Talent Pathway Coaches (Maciej Wojtkowiak – Foil, Ian Williams – Sabre and Neale Thomas – Epee) will present their weapon proposals at one main panel sitting to the Performance Team Selection Panel which is made up of:
Alex Newton, Performance Director
Andrey Klyushin, Head Coach – Foil and Epee
Pierre Guichot,  Head Coach – Sabre

The selection panel will ensure that the same selection principles have been consistently applied across all weapons and that the selections are in line with the British Fencing World Class Programme performance agenda.

Announcement of Selection
Following the selection meeting, an announcement will be made on the British Fencing website by Wednesday 18th February 2015.  All selected athletes will also be informed directly by the Lead Talent Coach for their weapon.

Alex Newton, Performance Director
January 2015