Dear Coaches, Club Owners, Fencers, and Parents,

I just wanted to update you on the petition we submitted regarding the mandated Coaching Course and Certification.

Following the coaches' Zoom meeting on August 20th, I summarized our ideas regarding Coaching Education and wrote an updated proposal to the USA Fencing Board of Directors and the USAF Office which was submitted along with our Petition. The petition now has 883 signatures, 18,142 views and 265 shares.

Below is the letter I submitted to the Board on September 5th.

Dear Board Members,

As you may be aware, the current Coaching Course posted on the USFA website as a mandatory requirement for the U.S. fencing coaches has resulted in significant backlash in the fencing community, but by working together with leading coaches across the US, the required coursework could be crafted into a developmental model for not only fencing but other athletic communities as well. Coach Andrey Geva has offered a different approach to the course that has been embraced by the coaches’ community. This proposal has been supported by nearly 900 coaches, club owners, and fencers with over 18,000 views and 260 shares so far. During a Zoom meeting attended by over 30 top coaches and club owners on Sunday, August 20th, these U.S. coaches across all three weapons collaborated on a mutually-supported solution. It is amazing that all these coaches were on the same page regardless of their professional background and coaching level. This consensus, combined with the petition results, demonstrates that the vast majority of coaches across the US feel the same way. We have a unique opportunity to do the right thing that satisfies both the needs of the fencing community and our NGB office..

Below is the proposal:

USA FENCING COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Program has two parts:

PART 1 - COACHING CERTIFICATE (OR COACHING LICENSE)

Mandatory modules for all fencing coaches who wish to coach in the U.S.

This part includes three modules only:

Safe Sport Course (renewable/updated annually)
Criminal Background Check (renewable/updated annually)
Fencing Safety Rules (one-time course)

PART 2 - CONTINUING COACHES EDUCATION

Recommended (but not mandatory) for all level coaches

This part may include (but is not limited to)

FOUNDATION OF FENCING
Foundation of Fencing available online on the USFA/USFCA websites developed by the USFCA with the input and consultation of a designated group of coaches (6 epee/foil/saber coaches, 2 for each weapon) that are chosen by vote from the wide coaching community. This course is designed for beginner coaches.

U.S. COACHING SEMINARS / CLINICS
Attending one three-day coaching clinic offered during NACs and Nationals, run by top domestic and foreign coaches. Clinics will vary from NAC to NAC with different coaches presenting different aspects of fencing. For example at one NAC, a foil coach may present a clinic on the preparation of a compound attack. At another NAC, a top epee coach may present on the benefits and challenges of teaching the French and pistol grip styles. These clinics are designed for intermediate and advanced coaches.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Continuing coaching education through mentorship programs at the top U.S. clubs. Clubs chosen for mentorship would be chosen based on their ability to consistently  produce champions and medalists at national and international levels. This program would include at least 30-40 hours of study spreaded over 6-12 months. Coaches enrolled in this mentorship program could take classes in-person and via Zoom.

INTERNATIONAL COACHING SEMINARS / CLINICS / CERTIFICATION 
International coaching seminars/clinics abroad. Multiple beginner, intermediate, and advanced fencing coaches would be nominated to attend these seminars and granted partial sponsorship through a combination of the USFA and USFCA. Here are some examples of some of these foreign courses:

 

Hungary:  https://tf.hu/en/students/future-students/sport-coaching-ba-and-msc-programs

France:  https://www.escrime-ffe.fr/fr/emploi-formation/formations-d-etat/desjeps.html

        

Note:

The recommended USA Fencing Coaching Education Program should be developed together with the USFCA, USFA High Performance Office, national coaches, and the delegated group of top coaches mentioned above (2 coaches for each weapon)

 

On August 25th Greg Massialas and I had a video call

with CEO Phil Andrews where we raised our concerns regarding the Coaching Course and Certifications. The meeting went well. Mr. Andrews agreed and supported our ideas. As a result, the USAF posted an updated version of the Course with a Test Option for coaches. However, in my opinion, it did not fully reflect what was discussed and agreed upon during the video call meeting. The main idea we agreed on is that the mandated modules (safe sport, background check, and safety rules) should be separated from the recommended Coaching Education modules. Phil Andrews and some of the Board members told me that they are still working on the content for the Test Option. In addition, I was asked to write the Fencing Safety Rules module with a test quiz. I wrote it and emailed it to Phil Andrews on August 5th and to the Board on September 5th along with our proposal. We all hope that the Board will support the coaches and club owners recommendation when they discuss it either today or during the September 10th Board meetings (https://www.usafencing.org/boardmeetings

        

Additionally, I also had a Zoom meeting on August 29th with the Executive Director of the USA Fencing Coaches Association Vinnie Bradford where we discussed the National Coaching Education Program through USAFC. I haven’t given her any feedback yet until I can discuss it more with other coaches.

Stay healthy and fit. Happy fencing everyone!