OFA Annual Club Membership
All annual Club memberships are due August 1st.
First-time clubs should register their clubs with the OFA using THIS FORM. Further annual club membership renewals should be done using THIS FORM.
Club Sanction $100
- Eligibility for OFA grant programs
- Sanctioning of program activities, including those outside of the usual venue (schools, recreation centres, demonstrations, etc.) and competitions
- Errors and Omissions Insurance for Club Board of Directors
- Optional extra coverage for Appeals and Disputes
The OFA is mandating that all Club Head Coaches undergo a background check. Background checks can be done through the CFF partner Sterling Talent Solution, or through another satisfactory service provider. For more information on this partnership, please refer to this posting.
Documentation is to be provided electronically to the OFA for record-keeping, and updated every 3 years, by September 30th of the current season.
Documents should be sent to web@fencingontario.ca as well as secretary@fencingontario.ca.
Failure to comply will result in a) the removal of the club list from the OFA site, and b) removal of all coaches and members from the OFA/CFF membership list, and c) removal of access to club insurance through the OFA until such time that documentation is received by the OFA.
If you have any questions, please contact info@fencingontario.ca.
OFA Insurance Certificates
Clubs requiring Insurance Certificates are to download this form, fill out and return the form to info@fencingontario.ca.
OFA INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
OFA memberships are required for training in-club as well as competing at local, regional, provincial, and/or national competitions. Please refer to each section to determine what type of membership you require, ask your coach for advice, or email info@fencingontario.ca for more information.
Please read the following instructions carefully as we transition into the new Membership System:
Please select ONLY ONE of the following Athlete Memberships: Competitive, U15 Competitive, Recreational, Referee, Secretariat, Armoury, or Coach. Athletes who hold a Competitive, U15 Competitive, or Recreational Membership who also wish to perform coaching or officiating roles can do so without further membership from the OFA. For those with multiple roles in the community, please purchase the most relevant membership category.
The Additional Levies section pertains to CFF fees aimed at supporting Coaches and Officials at the National level, and is not required for OFA membership.
CFF License Numbers should remain the same – this will not show up during the renewal process, but should be on the Membership Card received by members after successfully renewing their license. If that is not the case, please contact us immediately.
Once you have purchased your CFF license number, please use this page to look up your membership number should you need to.
The $22.50 CFF Licence fee will appear during the Cart Summary step. Please note that Interpodia charges a $1 per traction fee in addition to other processing fees (included in the “Processing Fees” line).
Please note that Interpodia also charges a $5 refund fee.
If you run into issues, please contact info@fencingontario.ca.
This level is for the serious athlete who is competing for ranking points and training to achieve excellence in the sport
- Long Term Athlete Development stages Learn to Train (Yellow) Train to Train (Green/Blue) Train to Compete (Red)
- 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)
- Eligible for funding (eg. Quest for Gold)
- Eligible for training programs
- Eligible for Ontario Elite Teams, Ontario Games selection, National Team programs
To check for your CFF license number, click here>>.
To check the status of your membership, please email info@fencingontario.ca.
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.
This level is for the serious athlete who is competing for ranking points and training to achieve excellence in the sport for athletes Under the age of 15. To determine if you are eligible for the U15 Competitive license, please follow This Link.
- Long Term Athlete Development stages Learn to Train (Yellow) Train to Train (Green/Blue) Train to Compete (Red)
- Insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability) and registration for individuals
- CFF license included
- Entry into all competitions held in Canada and USA
- Eligible for training programs
- Eligible for Ontario Elite Teams, Ontario Games selection, National Team programs
To check for your CFF license number, click here>>.
To check the status of your membership, please email info@fencingontario.ca.
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.
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 may be fees payable to the CFF. Please see their policy on licensing errors for more information.
Coaches and officials who do not have a Competitive/Recreational Membership are eligible for this level. All coaches and officials must be OFA members to participate. For those with multiple roles in the community, please purchase only the most relevant membership category. Members who have a current, active Competitive, U15 Competitive, or Recreational membership are not required to purchase additional memberships to coach and/or officiate.
To check for your CFF license number, please click here>>.
To check the status of your membership, please email info@fencingontario.ca.
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.
This level is for club based programs only. Training and club programming only. NOT eligible for access to competitions.
- In club training including Just for Fun training events (see below for definition)
- Does not include registration in the National Instructional Program (Armband)
- Does not include ranked competitions, OFA programs (eg. Ontario Games, funding etc.)
- Can include volunteers and service providers
- Covers insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability)
Definition of “In-club training event”
Any club run event that is intended for practice and fun but is not included in any Regional, Provincial, or National ranking point system.
NOTE: Recreational CFF members may upgrade to Competitive licence by logging in to their CFF profile page.
To check for your CFF license number, click here>>.
OFA Associate Registrants
This level is for those who are new to fencing.
- Long Term Athlete Development stages Active Start and FUNdamentals
- Covers insurance ($5,000,000 third person liability)
- Short term twelve weeks
- Does not include any competitions or training events
- This level of member will learn the basic foundation skills of fencing in introduction to fencing programs, summer camps, birthday parties etc.
Members Clubs in good standing (paid Club Membership fee) may now submit Associate registrants with the bulk registration form and payment online. Here are the steps:
- Download the bulk form found here>>
- Fill out all the required information for each registrant on the form.
- Email the filled form to info@fencingontario.ca.
- You will be sent a link for payment.
- If you have any questions, please contact the OFA vial email>>
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a coach (official) but also a competitive athlete. Do I need to register twice?
No. Your Competition Membership will cover both. Please be sure to indicate that you coach or officiate even if you are not certified.
Do I get a new CFF number every year?
NO!!! A CFF number will be issued to you when you initially register for your license. You will keep this number for subsequent years. Use the same name version on your membership application and renewals as you use for all competition registrations and communication to the OFA and CFF. Using different variations could lead to the issuing of double CFF numbers which will be problematic for ranking. If you can’t remember which name you used, you can check your information at click here
I am a volunteer at my club and help out occasionally. Why do I need a membership?
Membership in the OFA shows a commitment and appreciation for a sport that gives us so much. It boosts our numbers to help us become eligible for increased grant money and makes us more attractive to sponsors. This is a way you can help the general fencing community as well as your club. Thank you for everything you do for fencing!
I am just starting to compete. What if I don’t like it?
There are many opportunities to compete at club competitions. These are informal, relaxed ways to get used to competition formats. If you enjoy this level, you can upgrade your Recreation membership to Competition and participate in some more formal competitions. If you don’t like competition after trying it out, it is perfectly acceptable to fence in your club, have fun, and enjoy the activity with your friends. Fencing is truly a lifelong sport. There are folks still fencing into their eighties and nineties.
Where does my membership money go?
We depend on membership dollars to educate coaches and referees, plan programs, fund athlete programs and do the work of the organization. The Ontario Government is currently recognizing the importance of sport by increasing availability of funds but the amount of money granted depends heavily on membership numbers. Most programs are subsidized by membership dollars.
I just want to do the kid’s stuff. What membership do I need?
If you are just starting you will be fine with the Recreation membership. If you are ready to compete outside of your club, you will need the Competition membership. With it you can:
- Join the National Instructional Program
- Compete to be eligible for funding
- Compete to qualify for Community Games, Ontario Games and other opportunities
