GRASSROOTS
The challenge is to convert
spectators and casual participants
into regular fencers, club members
and volunteers
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A taster session with Scheme or the World Class Performance
foam/plastic swords can Programme – both of which are fully
encourage kids to work structured and managed to produce in-
up towards elite level ternational, world and Olympic success.
BFA’s stated aim is to win one medal at
In recent years, the BFA has become rectify this; it uses a range of measures, the London 2012 Olympics.
more focused on schools development. including athletic, technical, psycho-
In Nottinghamshire for example, the BFA logical and competitiveness to assess Promoting the Sport
and England Fencing have projects with potential and assist development. In order to promote the sport to the
five of the nine SSPs. Typically, a fencing As well as identifying athletes, the general public, a structured approach is
coach provides instruction for primary model is also designed to help club currently being proposed. This is based
school children for either a half or full coaches, parents and volunteers – all on evidence, market information and
term up to a full academic year. of whom can access in training and targeted advertising, which is especially
These programmes feed into commu- education – giving the athlete the best important for the public perception and
nity clubs, which in turn have links with possible environment to succeed. image of the sport.
established fencing clubs. This provides As well as the well-trodden media
direct routes for children entering the Competition routes, partnerships with leisure opera-
sport, participating at club level, com- So how can keen, young fencers move up tors and holiday operators also offer
peting at one of the major competition the ladder towards international success? opportunities. Fencing demonstrations
circuits, or even entering sports adminis- Last month saw Britain’s leading annual in public areas – such as the Science Mu-
tration. Similar schemes exist in Berkshire, junior event, the Eden Cup foil inter- seum, supporting their Technology in
Birmingham and County Durham. national take place at Whitgift School, Sport exhibition and at the Victoria and
The BFA and England Fencing are also Croydon. The event, which was founded Albert Museum supporting a Regency
currently developing an academy struc- by South London businessman Joe Eden evening – has shown fencing to be popu-
ture, which is due to be piloted in 2010. in the 1960s, is the UK round of the Junior lar with spectators when well presented.
The aim of this project is to develop and World Cup and counts toward interna- The challenge is to convert spectators
support young fencers who have the po- tional ranking points. Earlier this year, and casual participants into regular fenc-
tential to become successful adult fencers. Belfast hosted the World Junior Champi- ers, club members and volunteers.
Today, Great Britain has genuine onships, which saw Britain’s Ed Jefferies Winning a medal at the London Olym-
hopes of Olympic gold in 2012; such as win silver. Then there’s the UK School pics would bring a boost in participation,
Londoner Richard Kruse who is currently Games, in which fencing is an integral but popularity could wain as the medal
World No.2 in senior rankings. However, sport within the national programme. memory fades. Winning members in the
the pool of talent is limited – meaning a At this level, fencers usually aspire longer term is the challenge to which
heavy reliance on a few individuals. The to enter one of the elite programmes, the BFA’s new modernised structures
academy model has been designed to be it the Talented Athlete Scholarship and management is squaring up. ●
24 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 4 2009 © cybertrek 2009
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