1. Everything is as usual this week, including 9 am training for the elite on Saturday. Canada Cup is on the horizon, everyone!

2. Thank you to everyone who brought things for the parent to parent - I don't believe any gear was purchased but if I am mistaken and you are looking for items or cash, please let Darren know.
3. Armoury: A gentle reminder that the armoury is not a free place for equipment and under NO circumstances should an athlete take any piece of equipment or item (wires, tips, barrels, screws, washers, sockets, grips, spaghetti, etc etc) from the armoury without either permission or payment. SFO's access to the armoury includes only these things: glue, tape, varsol and tools.  That is all, and even here - abuse is not tolerated nor are you allowed to take tools home.  Everything else belongs to the club and must be paid for. 
4. OFA/CFF  membership: If you plan on participating in an fencing competition outside of SFO then you will need a OFA/CFF annual license (membership).  This year the OFA is running a series of events from u9 to u17 and 3/4 of these are in the GTA.  In order to fence in these, you will need the license.  
https://fencingontario.ca/about-the-ofa/membership-information/
4.  We will be ordering from Eurofencing soon, and if you are interested in gear please let Darren know.  We will be publishing the 2023-24 prices soon.

There will likely be two updates in the next days, as lots of information to process.
We started most programs and are settling into the private lesson schedule for elite fencers - still filling in a couple of spots.  We should have a solid schedule by end of Sunday.
For now, there are four pieces of pressing information to share:

1.  Ontario/Canadian Fencing Memberships:  In order to compete in an event outside of the club, you must possess an annual license to Ontario Fencing Association and the Canadian Fencing Federation.  If you are under 15, and plan only on fencing in event U15, U13, U10 or U9 - then you should hold the Y14/U15 license.  If you are U15 and plan on fencing in cadet or junior events, then the full competitive license.
https://fencingontario.ca/about-the-ofa/membership-information/

2. Ontario Winter Games 2024 (Thunder Bay)
I had a chance to clarify transportation with the OFA, and the organizers will provide transportation to the event.  I am not sure what this may cost or entail (the OFA doesn't either) but it does mean that athletes will have a non parental way of getting to Thunder Bay.  It is also, for this year, a cadet aged event.

3. Parent to Parent Sale:
This will occur Sunday 17th September from 10 am to 1 (if raining, inside at armoury).  If you wish to sell gear, then bring it, have it checked for safety by coaching staff and price it with name/contact details.  Those who want to buy, take and contact you for payment/haggling.  SFO has NOTHING to do with setting prices, collecting money or keeping unsold gear.  All we do is make sure it is safe to use.
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4. Armoury Training:
Darren will give armoury training on Saturday 16th September from 230 to 530 in the club.  This will go over basics of repairing wires, cleaning and rewiring blades.  Please let him know if you plan to attend so we can make sure we have space to accommodate everyone.  Price is a cup of coffee or doughnuts because if you have ever seen an armourer at a competition, you know that they exist on coffee and doughnuts.