2012-2013 Membership Guide

Registration/Types of Membership

Membership Registration and Privacy

Membership News!

In past years, we have used the CFFs membership registration system as our front line system for the registration of members. This year, for many reasons, we have decided to use another company as our front line system.

Excellence, Transition and Coach/Officials members will be directed to this link to register.

Foundation and Booster members will be registered through the club using this template

You may contact June McGuire at info@fencingontario.ca with any and all registration problems. Please do not contact the CFF as they no longer have access to our registration systems.

Although you may have access to the CFF registration system through the CFF website, it is not advisable to use this system to register. In order to be insured, your payment must be in the hands of the OFA or your club in the case of Boosters and Foundations. If there is a delay in the processing of fees from the CFF to the OFA,  you may not be insured for liability in the case of an accident. Please follow the procedures listed on this page!

Member data will be forwarded to the CFF with your payment to renew or apply for a CFF number. This will normally be done on the Thursday of each week unless there is a need to process a membership sooner for competition reasons. Your CFF licence is no longer connected to your insurance but will still be required for competitions and rankings. 

The Fee Structure is Changing

The fee structure for the 2011/2012 season is changing. An outline follows below. If you have any questions about membership, please contact June McGuire.

Why is the fee structure changing?

Alignment with Long Term Athlete Development

The OFA and all sports organizations are expected to align all systems with the Canadian Sport for Life stages of athlete development (LTAD), including programs, competitions, and administration.

More Support Needed for High Performance Programs. 

With the loss of Podium and other High Performance funding at the CFF level the responsibility of supporting our athletes is falling increasingly to provincial organizations such as the OFA.

A Need to Alter the Imbalance

A fair membership system will be structured so that those who use the system most pay the biggest fees, and the basic users pay a supportive fee that reflects their usage of the infrastructure and services.

What are the new membership categories?

Foundation $15 

This level is for those who are new to fencing. 

• Active Start and FUNdamentals
• Covers insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability) and registration for individuals
• Includes volunteers, club administrators and board members, school and community program participants, Learn to Fence Programs,  in club training events,  etc.
• Does not include any competitions or training events outside of the registered club
• This level of member will learn the basic foundation skills of fencing. Those wishing to go into the Canadian Fencing Federation Armband program by testing for Yellow will require a CFF license. Please indicate this on the registration form from your club. Or contact info@fencingontario.ca

Transition $42.50 [includes CFF license]

This level is for those who have done the basic training and are ready to start competing outside their own club in non-point competitions, or for those who want low key fun without worrying about National points and rankings. It is also for those who want to progress through the CFF Instructional Program.

• Learn to Train/ Active for Life 
• Yellow/Orange/Green Armband level
• Insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability) and registration for individuals
• CFF license included
• Can compete at local non-point competitions such as OCCs, Invitationals (RMC team, CAR team, Foiling Around, etc.) Ontario Youth Events
• Does not include any competitions for National points
• Not eligible for inclusion in the National Rankings
• Not eligable for any Ontario funding or selection programs

Excellence $77.50 [includes CFF license]

This level is for the serious athlete who is competing for ranking points and training to achieve excellence in the sport

Please note that your ranking is linked with your license number. This means that if you already have a license, and you register under a new license number, you will lose all your previous ranking points. If you wish to correct the error after registering under an incorrect license number, there will be fees payable to the CFF. Please see their policy on licensing errors for more information.  

• Train to Train and Train to Win
• Blue/Red/Black armband
• Insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability) and registration for individuals
• CFF license included
• Eligible for inclusion in the National Rankings
• Entry into all competitions held in Canada and USA
• International competitions. (May need additional FIE license for some Levels)
• Eligibility for funding (eg. Quest)
• Eligibility for training programs
• Eligibility for Ontario Elite Teams, Ontario Games selection, Canada Games selection, National Team programs

Please note that you are required to purchase a membership at least 72 hours prior to a competition. You are advised to bring a paper copy of your receipt to all competitions in case you are asked to verify your membership status.

Officials and Coaches $32.50 (included for free with a Transition or Excellence membership)

• Eligibility for all OFA and CFF Officials programs and NCCP Certification
• All Ontario coaches and officials must be registered members

Ontario Fencing Boosters $1

If you volunteer in your club, are a parent of a fencer, are on a Board, or just want to contribute to our many athlete programs, you can become an Ontario Fencing Booster. By paying a token fee you demonstrate that you support the good work of our athletes and coaches at all levels. Your name on our membership list boosts our numbers and may contribute to a raise in government funding as well. Your support is worth a great deal to us in so many ways. Your information will never be shared with or sold to any other groups. So register today and become an Ontario Fencing Booster!