British Fencing is pleased to announce that two further EFC C-grades have been awarded, this time for Epee for both Phil Elliott and Sean Grundy.

This comes after both referees were observed across several EFC nominated epee competitions this season and is another step towards sitting their FIE referee exams in Epee.

Phil Elliott has been a committed member of the BF Referee Pathway Program and a dedicated volunteer referee at all BF events, on hearing the news he said, “I am very pleased to be awarded my C licence. I feel that this is not the end, but the beginning of the next stage of my journey as a referee. I would like to thank Nickie Bailey and the British Fencing Pathway programme Jon Willis, Francine Robb and Adrian Speakman for their invaluable support, guidance and assistance.”

Sean Grundy already holds an FIE qualification in Foil, aiming to gain a two weapon FIE referee licence. Sean is a regular volunteer referee at BF events and has been a member of the Referee Pathway Program from its inception.

Commenting on the news, Sean said,  “It’s great news to hear I’ve been awarded my C licence in epee, it shows that hard work definitely pays off. I’d like to thank my colleagues who always make competitions fun. I’d also like to thank Adrian Speakman who has helped me improve my epee knowledge and to Nickie Bailey and all at British Fencing for all the hard work that goes into the organisation to make the trips possible.”

Georgina Usher commented, “In what  has been a fantastic week for GBR referees, (3 EFC C-grade licenses awarded in one week), this further demonstrates that the BF referee pathway structure is now producing internationally recognised high quality referees.  Our thanks again must go to all those that have supported the pathway by mentoring,  assessing and supporting their peers.

The current referee development activities are supported by funding from UK Sport and Sport England.

Referees interested in joining the BF Referee Pathway Program click here for further information.

More information on the level 3 exam process can be found here.

The next level 3 assessments will be held at the British Fencing Senior National Championships,  further information found here.

If you are a Level 2/3 referee interested in applying to join the GBR pathway please contact  [email protected].