UPCOMING IWAS COMPETITIONS – SELECTION UPDATE

Update to clarify status of upcoming IWAS World Cups, training camps and selection policy.

The project to transfer responsibilities from BDF to BF is currently well underway with a provisional conclusion set for 1st April.

There are several upcoming competitions in the IWAS calendar which fall after the 1st April, however work will need to start now to support participation of GBR athletes in Para-Fencing World Cups.  BF will be working closely with the EIS delivered Para-fencing World Class Programme (directly funded by UK Sport) to facilitate this.

BF will not be sending support staff to all World Cups – decisions in relation to the support team will be taken in conjunction with the EIS delivered World Class Programme (EIS WCP), to best support athlete needs, in light of available resources and risk assessments for travel.

Where the EIS WCP team is travelling to an event, they will appoint the overall Lead Coach/Team Lead for the coaches, support staff and fencers on the WCP. It is anticipated that any BF appointed Team Manager or Team Coach travelling to the same event will liaise and work with the WCP Team Lead /Lead Coach for the duration of that event.

There are also three other related activities which are currently underway:

1. The EIS WCP is currently expanding with the selection of up to 4 additional athletes to join the programme. The EIS will continue to run the Para-fencing World Class Programme during the Paris cycle
2. A new joint BF/EIS WCP Selection Policy for World Cups and Major Championships is being drafted and will be published in March for community consultation.
3. To explore the integration of Para-Fencing into ADP camps, based on the development needs of the Para-fencers.

In the meantime, the intention is to operate entry/selection for the upcoming tournaments as follows:

14th-17th April – Sao Paulo, Brazil – The EIS WCP will not be sending a squad to this event. BF will not be sending any BF officials. BF will allow non WCP athletes to enter, subject to a minimum standards and eligibility check which will include confirmation that the athlete and their personal support team has the experience to travel and compete on a personal basis (including previous attendance at a World Cup). Competition details

19th-22nd May  – Chon Buri, Thailand – The EIS WCP may send a squad to this event. BF will not be sending any BF officials. BF will allow non WCP athletes to enter, subject to a minimum standards and eligibility check which will include confirmation that they have the experience to travel and compete on a personal basis (including previous attendance at a World Cup).

7th–10th July – Warsaw, Poland – The EIS WCP and BF will be supporting a squad to this event. BF officials will be attending and this is an opportunity for athletes to experience their first World Cup (subject to eligibility criteria).

Athletes wishing to enter any of the above events should complete this form to the best of their abilities, supported by their personal coach.

BF Para-fencing Team Manager

Maggie Maynard has been appointed by BF as the interim Para-fencing Team Manager. Her role is to support athletes, parents and coaches who are not part of the WCP. Maggie will be administrating the Warsaw World Cup (liaising with the WCP as appropriate) and is also available to answer questions from athletes, parents and personal coaches in relation to Sao Pauli and Chon Buri. Maggie can be contacted via [email protected]. (Please note that as Team Manager, Maggie will not be part of any selection process).

Training & Preparation Camps

The EIS WCP programme will maintain its established centralised programme for full time athletes based at Bath University, together with a number of training camps and activities for non-centralised nominated WCP fencers. Where appropriate, and through invitation, there may be an opportunity for non-WCP athletes to participate in some programme activities, including preparation camps.

Given the expansion of the WCP the intention is to work with the EIS to facilitate the inclusion of invited non WCP athletes in specific preparation camps where appropriate rather than host separate camps. Alongside this, as per 3. above, BF will be working on offering additional para-fencing training opportunities at the ADP Camps (open to all para-fencers on a performance pathway (WCP or non WCP), not linked to specific international events).

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