British Fencing Association
Encyclopedia
British Fencing is the governing body for the sport of fencing
in the UK
.
competitions, including the World Championships and World Cup competitions, and also at the Olympics
under the IOC.
The BFA is also responsible for all national domestic events. It runs British Championships in a variety of age categories and at all three weapons of fencing (foil
, épée and sabre
). In addition, a series of national 'Opens' are held by independent organisers affiliated to the BFA. These events collect points, which are used by the BFA to create national rankings at senior, junior (U20) and cadet (U17) level.
The BFA also run coaching schemes, and other activities relating to the promotion of fencing in the UK.
The BFA publishes a magazine, The Sword
. BF also publishes an electronic newsletter called To the Point
, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer. Beazley will be the principal sponsor – as well as the official insurer - of British Fencing until the end of 2015, building a lasting legacy in the sport.
Andrew Horton, Beazley Chief Executive said: “Fencing combines discipline, agility and precision – all qualities we admire at Beazley. It is also a sport to which we can make a meaningful contribution, both at the highest competitive level and through fencing schools throughout the country.”
The investment will help fund Great Britain teams (including Paralympic hopefuls), The National Academy, Increasing grassroots participation to the sport, British Fencing run events, including World Cup events as well as Marketing and promotion of the sport.
As of the 1st April 2010, the WCPP supports 21 fencers. These fencers include 10 from the very successful men's foil squad with four (Richard Kruse, Laurence Halsted, Edward Jefferies and Jamie Kenber) receiving the highest level of funding as Podium Level athletes.
The performance programmes of all elite athletes are tailored towards achieving qualification for the London 2012 Olympics. British Fencing aims to qualify 3 teams of 3 fencers, and 3 individual fencers in the other disciplines for 2012.
Podium Fencers
Development Fencers
Rankings are calculated from ranking points earned in competitions attended by the fencers. The amount of points earned depends on the strength of the competition as well as how well the fencer did.
Current rankings can be found on the British Fencing Website.
The Board currently consists of 9 elected Board Directors (who are the decision making and voting body of the board), plus various other members such as Home Country representatives and technical expertise. The Athletes Commission are also represented on the Board. The CEO is secretary to the Board and staff members attend to update the Board on individual areas.
(Wales
, England
, Northern Ireland
and Scotland
) have their own governing bodies. The country is further subdivided into 'regions'.
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
In 1902, the Amateur Fencing Association was founded as the governing body for fencing in the UK. However, the requirements for amateurism have now been dissolved, and professionalism is permitted in the UK, so in 1996 the name was changed to the British Fencing Association.Activities of the BFA
The BFA is responsible for all international fencing conducted while representing Great Britain. They control the selection criteria for all relevant competitions. They are responsible for any attendance by fencers at official FIEFédération Internationale d'Escrime
Fédération Internationale d'Escrime is the international governing body of Olympic fencing. It was founded on November 29, 1913 in Paris, France. Today, its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland...
competitions, including the World Championships and World Cup competitions, and also at the Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
under the IOC.
The BFA is also responsible for all national domestic events. It runs British Championships in a variety of age categories and at all three weapons of fencing (foil
Foil (fencing)
A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...
, épée and sabre
Sabre (fencing)
The sabre is one of the three weapons of modern sport fencing, and is alternatively spelled saber in American English. The sabre differs from the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade; for this reason, sabreur movements and...
). In addition, a series of national 'Opens' are held by independent organisers affiliated to the BFA. These events collect points, which are used by the BFA to create national rankings at senior, junior (U20) and cadet (U17) level.
The BFA also run coaching schemes, and other activities relating to the promotion of fencing in the UK.
The BFA publishes a magazine, The Sword
The Sword (magazine)
The Sword is the official magazine of the British Fencing Association and is issued to every fully subscribed member and the BFA's affiliates, or for sale to non-members...
. BF also publishes an electronic newsletter called To the Point
Sponsorship
In January 2011 British Fencing announced a five year sponsorship deal worth £1million with Beazley GroupBeazley Group
Beazley plc is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia. Beazley manages five Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2010, underwrote gross premiums of $1,741.6 million. All Lloyd’s Syndicates are rated A by A.M...
, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer. Beazley will be the principal sponsor – as well as the official insurer - of British Fencing until the end of 2015, building a lasting legacy in the sport.
Andrew Horton, Beazley Chief Executive said: “Fencing combines discipline, agility and precision – all qualities we admire at Beazley. It is also a sport to which we can make a meaningful contribution, both at the highest competitive level and through fencing schools throughout the country.”
The investment will help fund Great Britain teams (including Paralympic hopefuls), The National Academy, Increasing grassroots participation to the sport, British Fencing run events, including World Cup events as well as Marketing and promotion of the sport.
World Class Performance Programme
The World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) is a programme which helps British Fencing to fund those athletes who are likely to achieve podium success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.As of the 1st April 2010, the WCPP supports 21 fencers. These fencers include 10 from the very successful men's foil squad with four (Richard Kruse, Laurence Halsted, Edward Jefferies and Jamie Kenber) receiving the highest level of funding as Podium Level athletes.
The performance programmes of all elite athletes are tailored towards achieving qualification for the London 2012 Olympics. British Fencing aims to qualify 3 teams of 3 fencers, and 3 individual fencers in the other disciplines for 2012.
Podium Fencers
| Fencer | Weapon |
|---|---|
| Laurence Halsted | Men's Foil |
| Edward Jefferies | Men's Foil |
| Jamie Kenber | Men's Foil |
| Richard Kruse | Men's Foil |
Development Fencers
| Fencer | Weapon |
|---|---|
| Thomas Bennett | Men's Epee |
| Jonathan Willis | Men's Epee |
| Elsia Albini | Women's Epee |
| Corinna Lawrence | Women's Epee |
| Peter Barwell | Men's Foil |
| Keith Cook | Men's Foil |
| Jamie Fitzgerald | Men's Foil |
| Marcus Mepstead | Men's Foil |
| Ben Peggs | Men's Foil |
| Ahmed Rosowsky | Men's Foil |
| Anna Bentley | Women's Foil |
| Martina Emanuel | Women's Foil |
| Alex O'Connell | Men's Sabre |
| Louise Bond-Williams | Women's Sabre |
| Joanna Hutchison | Women's Sabre |
| Katherine Kempe | Women's Sabre |
| Chrystall Nicoll | Women's Sabre |
Rankings
Fencers are ranked by category (Cadet, Junior and Senior), weapon (foil, epee or sabre) and gender.Rankings are calculated from ranking points earned in competitions attended by the fencers. The amount of points earned depends on the strength of the competition as well as how well the fencer did.
Current rankings can be found on the British Fencing Website.
Governance
The Board of British Fencing is the body responsible for the overall governance of the sport. They set the strategic direction of the sport and monitor implementation.The Board currently consists of 9 elected Board Directors (who are the decision making and voting body of the board), plus various other members such as Home Country representatives and technical expertise. The Athletes Commission are also represented on the Board. The CEO is secretary to the Board and staff members attend to update the Board on individual areas.
Subdivisions
Under its auspices the four Home NationsHome Nations
Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...
(Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) have their own governing bodies. The country is further subdivided into 'regions'.
Home Nations Governing Bodies
Regions
- Channel Islands
- East Midlands
- Eastern
- London
- North East
- North West
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland Central
- Scotland East
- Scotland North
- Scotland West
- South East
- South West
- Southern
- Wales
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire