The youth development program is designed to develop athletes, at all levels, within the province. Its goal is to increase fencing outside clubs and offer developmental opportunities through small competitions and camps. It does not replace local clubs or coaches. It also returns all the investment back into the athletes to encourage participation and development.
2021 YDP Membership:
Age group: U9 to U15.
Cost: Two payments of 250$ (Oct and January) or 500$/athlete
What you get:
| Event | YDP Member | Non-Member |
| Four circuit competitions – weapon specific)* | Free if full payment received by December 15, 2021 | 50$ per event for a total of 200$. |
| One two day three-weapon clinic with international athletes and coaches | Free | Up to 400$ |
| One single weapon clinic (weapon specific) | Free | 150$ |
| Registration to the Toronto International Youth Challenge– March 2022 at Exhibition Place | Free | 75$ |
| Each participant gets a YDP badge | Yes | No |
| Total | Free with registration | 825$ |
*These will be used for OWG qualifiers
Camps: The one- day individual weapon camps will be held at Ontario clubs and run by Ontario coaches.
The three- weapon camp will be held in March 2022 and will be joined by international athletes and coaches. Subject to confirmation: Daniele Garozzo, Alice Volpi, Enrico Garozzo, Erika Kirpu, Fabio Galli, Angelo Mazzoni.
What is the YDP Fencing Circuit?
Covid-19 restrictions mean NO large-scale tournaments, and limited travel to the US. These will be small, single weapon, single gender and single age group events run in Ontario fencing clubs. All COVID regulations as well as the OFA Return to competition protocol will be followed.
Events will be held monthly on or about the 3rd weekend of the month starting in October. Format: one round of poules followed by direct elimination. The format is a fencing ladder or a ‘sharks and minnows’ modified format with athletes competing at their level.
Age groups: U9/U11 Mixed Gender Sabre/Foil/Epee, U13 gendered weapons, U15 gendered weapons.
Each event will have certificates per group and the final rankings per will have trophies at the end of the season.
Can I fence in more than One Event on a single weekend?
No. Based on the current protocol and to ensure everyone’s safety, you can only fence in one event (your declared age/gender/weapon) on a single weekend.
Athletes can fence above their declared developmental age if there is merit to do so.
Where will these events be held?
OFA member clubs will host these events and are in-charge of running them, guided by the OFA’s guidelines.
Do I need to join the YDP in order to participate in an event?
No. However, YDP members have first-priority. If the event capacity is greater than the enrolment of participants, a member club may open the event up to non-YDP participants for the fee indicated above.
How long will an event be?
Events may take up to three hours, depending on the size and capacity of the host.
What else will I get if I join the YDP?
The status of the pandemic will impact plans as we move ahead but we are presently actively planning for:
2022’s March Toronto International Youth Fencing Competition will take place at the Historic CNE grounds. YDP members are automatically enrolled in the event for their specific gender/age/weapon.
How does the circuit work?
After the first event with numbers permitting, fencers will be placed into developmental cohorts (flights) and afterwards fence both poules and eliminations only within that cohort. This allows fencing at a developmental level near to each athlete, numbers permitting. Fencers may move up or down the ladder of cohorts/flights as they develop in each competition after we establish the cohorts/flights.
More developed fencers will fence within their own range in cohort 1 poules, then a second cohort 2 in its own poules and so on. Each cohort is its own all the way to the elimination finals. For the next circuit, the winners of cohort 2 may be moved up to cohort 1, and the bottom placed fencers in cohort 1 may drop to cohort 2 and so on.
The host club can exercise its discretion in placing in cohorts on the day if there is reason to do so.
Do I need to be a member of the OFA?
Yes. Participants must hold an active 2021-2022 CFF license and OFA U15 Competitive membership. Please register/renew your membership here.
What Else?
COVID-19 remains an unknown and in the event any change in the Public Health Regulations, the OFA will inform participants of a plan that tries to uphold the integrity of the program.
If your club is interested in hosting one event, please reach out to the director of the program as below. Note that all events must be sanctioned by the OFA and must follow all OFA Return to Play and Return to Competition Protocols. Interested clubs should also ensure they hold an active 2021-2022 OFA Club Membership.
Who Do I Contact?
Dr. Darren Marks headcoach@stratfordfencingclub.ca
Sponsor
The Ontario Youth Development Program is sponsored by Crossed Swords Fencing Equipment. YDP registrants will be sent a discount code after program registration.
