The 2016 Ontario Summer Games (OSG) – the largest in its history – will be hosted in Mississauga, August 11th to 14th. The fencing events will be held at the Hershey Community Rinks, 5500 Rose Cherry Place in Mississauga. Athletes, officials and staff will be staying at the Radisson Hotel Toronto Airport.
Recap: Based on the technical package submitted to the province in the Fall 2014, we will be sending 72 athletes between the ages of 13 and 17 (age criteria is set by OSG) – 36 male and 36 females. Athletes will be competing in two age categories – Cadet and U15 – three weapons and two genders and teams.
The OFA created an Ad Hoc Committee at the end of October 2015. Our task was to set the selection criteria and general requirements for the Games. We took a different perspective this year: athletes who have competed for Canada internationally were excluded. We also wanted to ensure that all areas of the province were represented. Therefore, the first 3 spots on each team were assigned to the top athlete from each area – Central, East and West as listed on the OFA website
We are very happy to report that 19 clubs from across the province will be represented at OSG 2016! Our goal is to make sure our fencers get as much competition as possible. As per past practice, U15’s will also have the option to fence in the Cadet categories.
Selection Process: In identifying the rosters, we first selected the Cadet teams based on points (as per criteria posted on our website). In the event of a tie, results obtained at Provincials were used as the tie-breaker. We then selected the U15 team. If athletes selected for the Cadet team also qualified for U15, they will fence in that category as well, without holding a spot. Therefore, we have much larger pooles in some events (for example, U15WF has 12 fencers). All Cadet events will have the possibility of 12 fencers.
See all qualified Female Athetes here>>
See all qualified Male Athetes here>>
Budget: Registrations costs will be $275.00 per athlete. This will include event registration ($124.40 to be paid to OSG), 3 nights in a hotel, transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the duration of the event, return transportation between the hotel and venue, opening ceremonies and additional activities (to be determined). We wish to ensure parents that the children will be well supervised: we have increased the number of staff this year. We will have 4 coaches, 2 managers and 2 OFA reps. More information, including contact information on how to reach staff, will be provided to parents as we get closer to the event.
Timelines: The preliminary list of qualifiers is now live. We will allow for a one week appeals window. Coaches, parents, athletes: please review the point totals assigned. There have been some adjustments made to the tabulated and ongoing results posting on the website: we received some camp lists late last week. These were added manually. We also double-checked all the points and made minor corrections.
If you should have any questions or challeneges, please email the name and CFF number of the athlete, the category, weapon and a description of the problem to president@fencingontario.ca before end of day Monday, June 6th. Corrections will be made as appropriate and the final list, with process, will be posted on Tuesday June 7th.
Registration: An online registration portal will be open from June 7th to June 20th. Parents and athletes will receive detailed instructions on how to proceed. Registration will close on June 20th at 5pm. Between June 21 and 29, we will be ensuring that all spots are filled. The final list will be sent to OSG organizers on June 30th.
Personnel: We are hiring officials, coaches and managers to work at the 2016 Ontario Summer Games. Coaches and managers, please check the OFA Web site for requirements and application details here>>. Officials, please complete the expression of availability poll here>>
Youth Grand Prix
After Provincials, some clubs asked if we would hold a Youth Provincials again this year. Although the Youth Development Committee was pulled into OSG organization, a youth event was still very much on its radar. A date and location was selected. The event was to be a three-weapon, three-age group (U15, U13, U11), two-gender event, using the same format as other youth competitions held during the year (TFC challenges, Vango Cups), with a slight modification for the U11. Unfortunately, we were unable to get sanction. In the opinion of the Competition Committee, the event did not meet LTAD requirements. Based on my conversation, CFF is planning to release its competition requirements, including LTAD requirements, at its AGM in August. We are unable to offer this event this year, but the Youth Dev committee is recommending that OFA run a series of three Youth events, in addition to an end of year Grand Prix next year. We will ensure that our events meet LTAD requirements and will announce the format, as soon as we know what the requirements are.
Asian Community Games
Asian Community Games (ACG) will be held on June 11th at the Richvale Community Centre in Richmond Hill. Now in its 12th year, ACG is a multicultural, multisport event for people of all ages, skill level and from all communities. Its mission is to promote active and healthy life styles, foster cooperation, friendship and understanding among communities and inspire sports exchange. I was recently invited to participate in a press conference on the Games and truly enjoyed meeting the wonderful group of highly dedicated individuals responsible for organizing these games.
Again this year, there will be fencing events in the Y14 and Y12 categories (epee and foil). Pleaseregister now and kick off the summer with a relaxed and fun event!
RIO2016
Congratulations Maxime and Eleanor and coaches Paul Apsimon and David Howes! A huge congratulations to our athletes for an amazing year and good luck in Rio!