We are writing this petition to urge the USA Fencing board of directors and the task force to continue Y10 and Y12 summer nationals and March NAC.  We are coaches, club owners, and/or fencing Olympians.   

We share the goals of success of the sport of fencing in our clubs, as well as the general growth and rise in popularity of the sport. These events are essential for our goals and to achieve the USA Fencing mission statement of sustained international success. 

Development of fencers takes 5 – 7 years.  To achieve success in cadet, fencers must begin fencing competitively when they are y10 and y12. 

The rise of international success for USA Fencing is directly tied to the development of youth fencing in the United States. 

The biggest competition is not other clubs or other countries, it is other sports.  Recently with the rise of fencing Olympic success and fencing in the media, fencing has become more popular, especially in younger kids.  USA Fencing and clubs need to work together to keep these fencers in the sport. 

In fencing we have developed a clear stepwise system of progression from local, to regional, national and international events.  This is unique to fencing. We should embrace this model and do all in our power to expand, not reduce, the opportunities in our sport. 

USA Fencing follows the ADM model proposed by the USOPC more closely than any other sport.  Y10 fencers around the country practice 1 – 3 times per week and have plenty of time to sample other sports and activities.   

USA Fencing clubs follow the ADM model in fencing practices because they include a wide range of other sports in their training and develop age-appropriate physical literacy skills during training.  Every club does this naturally and this should be explained and highlighted. 

Fencing is much smaller than other sports and regional events and SYCs cannot provide the top level of competition that national events provide.  

Fencing is a niche sport.  USA Fencing grows its loyal member base by providing opportunities to youth fencers.  Currently there is a booming increase in clubs for kids between the ages of 5 – 7. We need to provide more opportunities for improvement in this age group or risk losing a large number of these fencers. 

National competitions feature Olympians and national team members -  heroes to inspire our younger fencers.  This is unique to fencing that our young fencers should meet their role models at a competition. 

USA Fencing runs the best national competitions in the world.  We should continue to have our youngest fencers attend these events to impress and convince these parents and fencers to stay with fencing as their primary sport. 

If we remove national competitions for Y10 and Y12, fencers who continue will have to fence older aged competitions against bigger and older competitors which is not age or size appropriate. 

If we remove national competitions youth fencers who continue will travel to more SYCs which will be just as expensive as traveling to national events as the SYCs are spread all over the country. 

Kids love fencing at national events – there are only two for Y10 and Y12 and they are the biggest goal for competitive youth fencers.   

Protecting kids from mental anguish doesn’t make sense.  They have competitive stress every day in other activities.  Losing at a local or regional event can be just as stressful as losing at a national event.  It’s the way coaches and parents help them deal with loss that is important. 

The national scene for youth fencers is educational – they meet fencers from all over north America and learn many social skills.  They learn how to support teammates and how to share the attention of the coaches. 

We strongly urge the USA fencing board members and task force to vote not only to continue national events (both summer nationals and March NAC) for Y10 and Y12 age groups, but to consider improving the competitive opportunities available for Y8.    

 
Ann Marsh-Senic

Renaissance Fencing Club

Business Manager

Olympian