Now that our inaugural event is completed, we’d like to thank everyone who attended and helped, and congratulate both the winners for their results, and all their competitors for the well fought matches. All of the results are published on Fencing Time Live.

While everything went almost as well as could be hoped for a first time event, we know there are improvements we can make for next year – and a next year is very much on the cards. We’ve had some good feedback, both on what worked and where we can do better, and we’ll be taking account of both. Watch this space!

We are grateful to both the West Midlands Fencing and East Midlands Fencing teams, without whose support our event would not have been possible.

On 29th September, 2024, we will be hosting an epee tournament in Warwickshire Technology College, Rugby. There will be both a junior U14 ranked event, and a senior unranked event open to people holding D/E/U categories under the new ratings system (see the UK Ratings site to find your rating – most people ranked outside the top 80 in Men’s Epee or top 50 in Women’s Epee will qualify). Entry is via Sport80 – the above links will take you directly to the competition entry.

The venue will be open from 08:00. Check in will open at 08:30. The closing times are as follows:

Senior Men’s Epee: 09:00 for 09:10 start
Senior Women’s Epee: 09:30 for 09:40 start
U14 Boys’ Epee: 12:00 for 12:10 start
U14 Girls’ Epee: 13:30 for 13:40 start

We are intending to run a friendly, low pressure, and crucially affordable (£25 entry fee) event for people who may find open competitions too expensive or daunting. To achieve this we will be using only a partial complement of grounded pistes, and qualified referees will be prioritised for the junior ranked event; the senior competition may be at least partially self-refereed. However, relaxed does not mean lax; we will keep to a prompt schedule, and all semi-finals and finals are guaranteed to be on grounded pistes.

We hope you will consider entering and helping to make our inaugural event a success!

Competition format and rules

All 4 events will consist of a single round of poules followed by Direct Elimination. All competitors will move to the DE stage. There will be medals for 1st, 2nd, and joint 3rd, in each event.

Please ensure all required clothing is worn, including plastrons, and chest protectors for girls. Socks must be long enough to overlap breeches and there must be no gap between the bottom of the jacket and the top of breeches.

Referees will be asked to be lenient on weapon technical problems, as we understand many newer fencers may be borrowing equipment from their club. However, safety is our top priority and as such the referees will be strict on defects with protective clothing and masks.

Junior U14

Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination fights will be to 12 hits with 3 periods of 2 minutes (1 minute gap).

U14s may use size 0 or size 2 weapons.

Senior D/E/U

Poule fights will be 5 hits, bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination will be to 15 hits, with 3 periods of 3 minutes (1 minute gap).

Senior fencers must wear an 800N plastron.

Refreshments

There is no cafe on site. We are intending to provide light a light refreshment stand just outside the hall serving tea, coffee, cakes and snacks. There are various shops / fast food options within about 10 minutes walk from the venue. Please note that the venue have requested no food inside the sports area.

Travel and parking

The venue is easily accessible by car or train. It is approximately 5 minutes’ walk from Rugby train station, and 5 minutes’ drive from the Rugby exit of the M6. There is a substantial car park, and no charge for parking.

Referees

We are offering £60 and refreshments to L2+ qualified referees. Please contact rugbyepeecoach@outlook.com if you are interested.