Promote College Teams

Thanks to USA Fencing and many excellent athletes and Olympians, we have been seeing a surge of fencers in recent years. While this development is very encouraging, it has also brought “growing pain” to the fencing community. Along with the increased popularity of the fencing sport in recent years, the number of fencers, especially young fencers, has been growing exponentially. However, there are only 45 NCAA-sanctioned college teams. Many young fencers will lose their opportunity to continue their training and participation in fencing after high school due to the limited collegiate fencing teams. FFO will strive to promote this great sport among colleges throughout the U.S. 

Advocate Sportsmanship in Competitions
 

The increase in popularity demands more competitions at the local and regional levels and generates larger pools at national competitions, resulting in more challenges to competition organizers in terms of finance, venue, organization, accommodations, referees, safety, smooth administration of the tournaments, etc. 

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One of the unintended tensions caused by the increased popularity of the fencing sport is between fencers’ parents (sometimes, coaches) and referees, especially in the youth fencing competitions. 

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We fully understand and support that tournaments should not be interrupted because coaches or parents have different views on a referee’s call. We have also observed that on many occasions parents’ views were due to misunderstandings of the rules. With the above understanding, FFO as a self-disciplinary platform require all members to refrain from uncivilized conduct during any competition and training. To assist USA Fencing and all local and regional competition organizers in conducting orderly and civilized tournaments, FFO will act as a watchdog of unbecoming behavior in all tournaments.

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Support Referees' Continuous Training 

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We also understand that referees have different professional proficiencies and experiences. The rapidly increased demand for referees has resulted in new referees with limited experience. We have observed that when a referee makes an inaccurate call, young fencers will often get confused for an extended period, which will have an unintended effect on the young fencers’ development of fencing skills. In certain cases, when a referee is perceived by a fencer as being unfair, irrespective of the correctness of such perception, the fencer and his or her parents tend to become less enthusiastic about the sport. Some would even choose another sport instead. 

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For the above reasons, FFO will provide concerned parents and fencers with a professional and educational platform by asking experienced referees to conduct video reviews of disputed calls after the fact. Our review will be educational only, not intended to form a basis to challenge a referee’s call. As we understand, even for the most experienced referees, there is always a certain margin of error, which, in the long run, should not and would not determine a fencer’s future in the sport. We also understand that young referees need time and opportunity to grow and this organization will provide them such an education platform as well.

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This growing popularity of fencing has also brought challenges to the fairness and quality issues among fencers. Acting as a watchdog and strictly adhering to the Safesport Code, FFO will work with all stakeholders and USA Fencing to help promote fair and equal participation in fencing among all fencers, irrespective of gender, race, and religious belief.

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FFO’s Million Dollar Campaign

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In addition to the support received from fencers, coaches, and referees, FFO is fortunate to attract a group of dedicated parents from almost all walks of life as its benefactors and volunteers. To serve its four missions, FFO is working to raise a one-million-dollar educational fund to promote accessibility of fencing sports in colleges; provide fencing rule education through seminars by experienced referees; award scholarships to current referees to attend USA Fencing’s educational programs; and provide financial aid to young fencers and students who are willing to become professional referees.