Novice Fencers

Page content: Eligibility : Entries : Equipment : Competition format : Novice of the Year : Competition timetable : Useful documents

NSW Fencing runs competitions specifically for beginner and inexperienced fencers.

Eligibility

NSW fencers are eligible to enter Novice competitions for their first two years of competitive fencing, unless within the first two years they achieve one of the following:

• Place in the top 3 of the Novice State Championships
• Have won the Novice of the Year (Technical Director's discretion)
• Are selected to represent NSW in the National Championships (age or open)

Entrants in Novice competitions must be either registered or affilated with the NSWFA Inc. Registration is a less expensive option, but only entitles the fencer to compete in Novice and certain age-based competitions. Registration can be upgraded to affiliation if the fencer later decides they want to compete in a broader range of events.

Online registration/affiliation (secure credit card payment) can be done at any time. Registration/affiliation can also be organised on the morning of a competition.

Full details of affiliation/registration (including current costs) are available on the separate Membership page of this website.

Open and B-Grade Competitions

Novice fencers should note that it is not necessary to "graduate" from Novice before entering other NSWFA competitions. "Open" competitions are available to all fencers, of any standard: where numbers are sufficient, these competitions will also have a B-Grade Final.

Entries

Entry fees are $25 per competition.

Entrants in Novice competitions must be either registered or affilated with the NSWFA Inc.

Fencers should use the Online Competition Entry System (secure credit card or paypal payment) to make entries for NSWFA competitions. This online system can also be used to Affiliate with NSWFA. Entries must be made before 11:59 pm on the Thursday night preceding the event.

Entries may also be made in person on the day of the competition, but a $10 surcharge will be applied. No surcharge will apply to second entries made on the day of the event.

Equipment

All NSWFA Novice Competitions are fenced using electrical apparatus.

It is not necessary to wear FIE standard equipment. However, all competitors must wear full fencing uniform. The only exception in Novice events is that for Foil and Sabre competitions tracksuit pants may be worn instead of fencing breeches. (Breeches are required for all Epee competitions, as legs are part of the target area). For a detailed explanation of fencing uniforms, see the Equipment Requirements page of this website.

NSW Fencing has some equipment available for hire at Novice competitions. For more information, see the Equipment Hire page of this website.

Competition format

Novice Competitions #1 - #4

The first four Novice Competitions of the year are designed to run for approximately three hours each. As such, they are normally fenced in pools only, and may not result in an overall winner (see the Competition format page for more information). The winner from each pool is awarded a certificate, and results from all four competitions are used when calculating the Novice of the Year.

Novice State Championships

The Novice State Championships are fenced using the standard competition format, with a round of pools, followed by a Direct Elimination leading to an overall winner. Medals are awarded to the top four fencers.

Novice of the Year

In conjunction with the Novice State Championships, the Male Novice of the Year and Female Novice of the year are announced, and awarded gold medals.

Calculation of these awards is based on attendance and performance at Novice events throughout the year (including Novice State Championships). Only fencers who have competed in at least 60% of Novice events are eligible for this award.

Competition timetable

2012 calendar items will be added by the start of the year. PDF competition timetable (see below) has full calendar.

Useful documents