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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. 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. A few announcements:
1. Congratulations to all our athletes who participated in the Youth Provincial Championships in St Catherines/Thorold over the past weekend. I was very pleased to see the process mentality being so diligently worked (over a worry of winning/losing) and think it made a tremendous difference as all had significant improvement and results. Keep on this path. 2. All training, except Saturday morning because of Dave Davies Cup, is as usual this week. The final Dave Davies Cup is scheduled for June 10th, starting at 1 pm. Usual expectations follow, but this is a double points cup if numbers permit - still a lot to play for. 1 pm: Elite; 230 pm competitive; 4 pm pre-elite and u12. Cost is 10$ Club Championship, Awards and Family Time is Sunday June 25th starting at 1:30 pm. Everyone in the club participates in the club championships until there is only one (but we do give prizes for flighted levels), followed by our club awards and family time. Following the first overall superpoule, we break into three groups of ability with prizes for the winners of each division. Dave Davies Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration has generously donated prizes for the winners of flights of gift certificates for fencing gear (100, 50 and 25$) and the Ontario Pork Farmers and AC Degroot Farms are providing food and BBQ. Many thanks to them both for making this an extra special day. Food will be pork chops, burgers and hot dogs with chips/drinks and cake to finish. Please note if your are a vegetarian/vegan, we are happy to accommodate but anything grilled will be on a large BBQ that certainly has come into contact with meat. Please let us know if you have a dietary need, and we will try to find a solution. Families are welcome to watch the fencing (byo camp chair). Fencers must let us know you are planning on attending, and give us a heads up on the number of folk who may be there via this form: We are starting a little later to allow those who have religious commitments or family commitments to attend to those. The finals for all three divisions will start at 4:45 pm, with the overall club champion final being the last of the three. Food is 10$ a person with funds going to the club. We will also give out our year end awards then following the conclusion of the finals but before the food. So plan accordingly! May 6-7, 2023 Canada Games Centre, Thorold, ON
Please note that the beginner and minifence schedule remains unchanged during March Break - meaning there are classes on both March 12 and March 19.
However Coach Godfrey would appreciate a heads up if you cannot / are not planning to attend on either day! There are a few announcements this week:
1. Coach Marks will be in Rochester NY for the Ben Gutenberg SYC supporting some of our fencers and as such there is no Sunday training on March 12 for Competitive and Elite Teams. However, Beginner and Minifence class remains at the same time (1pm and 3pm respectively with Coach Godfrey). 2. Next week is March Break, pay attention to the following: March Break SFO: 13th March 930 t0 4 pm; 14th March 1-430 pm; and 15th March 9-12. Elite are free for all days, Competitive and Pre-elite gets two half periods for free, otherwise $25 per half day. These are only open to SFO. March Break JinKo Fencing: 16th and 17th March: Reminder of the discounted day of training ($50 per day in cash) and they can provide lunch if you are interested. Menu is available on request. FINALLY: Competitive / Elite Fencers: Please book at the link below for the FCC Toronto Camp at Vango Fencing 1. Future Champions Camp Toronto: Book your spot via the FCC website. We will have reservations at the Monte Carlo Suites by the end of next week. That hotel is 2 min walk to Vango Fencing. It is possible to do a day only for 200$ per day. But please let me know if this is wished. 2. Future Champions Camp Italy: Again, there are limited spots, so please do consider reserving a spot. The waiting list is possible but let's not gamble if they fill up. https://futurechampionscamp.com/fencing_camps/ There are a few things to note this week: We are heavy in camps and while additional costs - these are really great places for athletes to fence and train in a non competitive environment with those they will fence in competitions. As such, aside from the concentration and friendship, they really accelerate development and confidence. Please do consider doing as much as possible. 1. All training is as usual Feb 20-25 (including Saturday). 2. March Break 1: We will be joining JinKO Fencing Club in Markham for part of the March Break, if you wish. On the Thursday and Friday (16th and 17th March), we will be able to join their camp for 50$ per day, payable on the day in cash. Darren will be coaching, and it is a great opportunity to fence outside of our club without the pressures of competition. 3. March Break 2: SFO will hold camps as follows - there is NO evening training.
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD: 1. FCC Toronto: April 6 to 9th, the OFA is hosting a foil and epee camp at Vango Fencing in Markham in association with Future Champions Camp. We will be joined by world champion, present world number 2 (he was number one for three years) Alessio Foconi and former Olympic Silver Medallist, Italian national and now Maestro Stefano Barrera and others. This is a great camp, and registration is via the flyer attached or link below. Don't miss this opportunity. Coach Marks will also be coaching. For those considering Italy, it is a chance to experience what we do in Italy with our extended fencing family. 2. Italy Tirrenia: Please let Darren or Robyn know if you are considering this, and see the registration accordingly. Spots fill up quickly and the link below will link to the camp. https://futurechampionscamp.com/fencing_camps/ 
  Another week of changes as we sprint through the season and tournaments:
Please note the following changes: Tuesday 24th Jan: Normal training times, lessons Wednesday 25th: At 6 pm, Coach Marks will be at the salle for lessons (I will speak with those folk tonight) and anyone who wishes additional training with Coach Marks can attend the pre elite training from 630 to 830 pm in preparation for the upcoming games, tournaments. Thursday 25th: Club Open at 7 pm, Coach Marks is in Kingston to ready for Friday's 8 am Canada Cup. - Saturday 28th: No training, Coach Marks is away in Kingston. - Sunday 29th: Training at 11 am with Coach Godfrey. - Monday 30th: No training as returning from Canada Cup. - We then return to normal training. Looking ahead: This dropped rather late last week, in Toronto at Vango Fencing Club: 2022/2023 OFA Circuits Youth #3/Junior #2/Vet #3 February 11 – 12, 2023 https://ontariofencingassociation.wufoo.com/forms/20222023-ofa-circuits-youth-3junior-2vet-3/ Please pay attention to changes in training schedules these next two weeks as we move into a very heavy tournament and travel season with Junior World Cup and Canada Cup followed by the Ontario Winter Games.
This week training is as follows:
LOOKING AHEAD: If your child is under 15, and on competitive fencing team There are two coming up within an easy drive. These also contribute to the OFA rankings initiated this year. These are big USA tournaments and these two will be supported by the coaching staff if there is enrollment: Ben Gutenberg SYC Rochester NY Mar 10-12 https://member.usafencing.org/details/tournaments/6052 Motor City SYC, Detroit Mi April 14-16 https://member.usafencing.org/details/tournaments/6036 Finally, we will have a meeting just after the OWG to discuss the Italy summer camp but in the meanwhile, please see the flyer for the April camp to be held in Toronto at Vango Fencing. We will be joined by Alessio Foconi and others. |
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September 2023
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Stratford Fencing Club Inc.
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