Fencing Parents' Guide

There is something about swordplay that sparks the imagination of most kids. Stories of pirate sea battles or musketeer duels, or star wars light sabres pepper the play of young boys and girls all over the world. If your child has found a way to the sport of fencing, you will be wondering as a parent what comes next. What do you do when the summer camp or introductory program is over and your child is passionate about becoming a fencer?

How to Find a Fencing Programs

We operate programs in most large centres of Ontario.

The Ontario Fencing Association lists member clubs on the website www.fencingontario.ca. Look under club directory for contact information.

You can also call our office at 905 525 6693 or email info@fencingontario.ca

What Do I Look For in a Fencing Program?

Research has shown that sports programs and coaches can impact a child almost as much as schools and teachers. A well organized, child centred program led by qualified coaches and geared to the appropriate age group can provide your child with a positive, fun, and esteem building experience.

1. Make sure that the club is registered as an Ontario Fencing Association club. This ensures that the club adheres to a set of safety standards and is properly insured to do business.
2. Look for NCCP or OFA certified coaches. A trained coach has the knowledge to teach fencing in a safe and positive way, and is governed by the Coaching Code of Ethics of the OFA and the National Coaching Certification Program run by the Coaches Association of Canada.

Here are some other things to look for.

Equipment

Club should provide:

• Jackets that are clean
• that are properly sized.
• that have working zippers and no open seams

Masks:

•  are free of dents in the steel and breaks in the grid
•  have  large bibs that cover the neck completely and  fit without wobbling too much when the head shakes.
• have the Velcro straps in place at the back of the head.

Blades:

• are clean of rust
• are tight with no wobbly bits.
• have rubber on the tip that is  intact and large enough to protect the opponent from a hard hit.

Under jackets or sous plastrons:

• that:are clean
• have no breaks in the stitching
• fit without binding

Venue

The venue:

• should be a gym or space large enough for children to run around safely.
• Should have a wooden sprung floor or a surface suitable for sport activities.
• should have easily accessible bathrooms.
• should have an area for spectators to watch without getting in the way of the fencers.
• should be free of debris and equipment from other programs.
• should have pillars and hazards well padded and marked with colourful tape. 
• should have any mirrors protected by a barre or other barrier.

Emergencies

There should be an evacuation plan posted and participants should be made aware of it at the beginning of the course and reminded frequently. Most programs are placed in schools or recreation centres so fire codes are complied with automatically. If not, ask about fire doors, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers as well as the all important smoke alarms. This includes making sure that all exits are unblocked and kept unlocked.

Supervision

Make sure that all programs for children are supervised by properly trained and screened adults. Many programs are taught by teenage athletes who are instructing as a part-time job or to fill volunteer hours. This is fine and most are excellent teachers. However, it is mandatory that an adult be on the site when this is taking place.  Check to see that children are not allowed to wander into hallways, shower rooms, outdoors, etc.

Important Note: All sport leaders are responsible for participants until they have left the premises.

• Does a leader leave only after the last participant is gone?
• Is a check done to see that there is no one left in a change room or washroom?
• Are minor children only released to a designated pick-up person?

Discipline

• Ask if there are policies in place that deal with codes of conduct, discipline, harassment, and discrimination, fair play in sport., tobacco free sport, etc. All OFA member clubs agree to follow Ontario Fencing Association Policies.
• Are children being yelled at, roughly handled, or humiliated ?
• Are children corrected when they disrupt the others or play too roughly?

Program Activities

Look for the following things when watching your child’s practice:

Coaches and volunteers:

• are welcoming and friendly and address children by their names
• speak in calm and friendly tones (even when they have to yell to be heard)
• welcome parents and any questions they may have
• use appropriate language with children and each other
• try to keep ongoing communication with parents and involve them in their child’s experience
• emphasize progress and process rather than winning

The fencing programs and activities:

• are appropriate to the age and interests of the children
• are engaging, stimulating and challenging
• are well paced to include active and passive, structured and unstructured play.
• allow for individual pacing with timely water breaks, rest times, etc.

The children:

• know the names of most other children and coaches and volunteers
• are comfortable asking a question or expressing an idea
• are sensitive to each others feelings and act with respect and kindness to each other and leaders
• are having fun and are actively engaged
• are encouraged to try but respected if they say no.
• feel welcome and important

Having a problem locating a club program for your child? Contact June McGuire at 905 525 6693 or email at info@fencingontario.ca.