Prof. Neil M Brown

a 41 Sally Hill, Portishead, BS20 7BH  t 01275 840075  f 08709 138564

e neil.brown@britishfencing.com   m 07813 693947  w www.fencingcoach.net

 

PISA 3rd February 08

U17 Men’s Sabre & Women’s Sabre

 

Please read all of this letter carefully, especially the code of conduct & trip information from British Fencing (new for this season). Please make sure you (& your parents) sign where necessary.

 

This letter is your invitation to go as part of the British U17 squad to Pisa in Italy. It is going out only to the top 25 cadets (on the selection rankings or the general rankings) so if you are invited you should make every effort to go (only those with points are invited.) You can always find the up-to-date rankings at www.sabrerankings.com.)

 

Congratulations for the competition results that have put you in a position to be selected.

 

As you will know there are 2 cadet ranking lists; the general ranking list (used for selecting fencers for international events & seeding age group competitions) & the selection ranking list (used for selecting for international events including the World Championships, selecting the national squads for subsidised training, & seeding nominated cadet events).

 

The top 25 cadets or either list are invited to all the International cadet events & you should not miss this opportunity to compete against the best in the World.

 

The nominated cadet foreign events this year will be: Godollo, Kenten, Pisa & Camden. As detailed on the cadet information page on www.fencingcoach.net all 5 nominated U20 A-grades will count for cadet rankings.

 

If you have not seen the list of nominated competitions & the sabre-specific information on the cadet information page at www.fencingcoach.net you should read it as soon as you can. You & your parents should also have read the “information for fencers & parents” document on the same page. Please note the changes to the nominated events for this season’s world championship selection rankings.

 

If you haven’t found it yet you should read www.fencingforum.com which has information & discussion on issues which often affect you. Have a look at the Pisa thread which is where I will announce any changes to the invitation & information documents. You should log in & subscribe to this thread (if you’re not sure how to do this, ASK.)

 

The travel arrangements for Pisa are as follows: travelling out on Saturday (2nd Feb) from Gatwick at 9:00 & back on Monday (4th Feb) at 14:00 (flight leaves Pisa at 12:50. Full details of times, meeting points, hotel, etc will be sent out to the fencers who are going nearer the time.

 

As usual we will take a large enough group of officials to supervise & coach/advise the fencers during the competition, supervise the hotel & generally look after the fencers. Obviously we will have male & female officials & all will have been CRB checked.

 

If any parents or coaches are planning to travel please let me know. It is generally a good idea for the fencers to get used to travelling & staying independently & to be part of the National squad. These trips should not be a holiday for fencers, the aim is to get the best possible results in the events & to gain experience for future years & trips. This doesn’t mean they’re not fun of course.

 

There is always an invitation for the coach of any invited fencer to accompany the national squad trips to international events. This will be at his or her own expense & they must accept my authority at all times. Fencers, please encourage your coach to accompany you on these trips; bear in mind you (your parents) may need to contribute towards their expenses.

 

Any adult accompanying one of the trips, i.e. travelling with the fencers & staying in the same hotel, must have CRB clearance from British Fencing or a suitable authority, e.g. a school. Please make sure the British Fencing office has your disclosure number.

 

If you are expecting me to book any hotel accommodation or meals with the team in the evenings you must: tell me as soon as possible, send a cheque for the correct amount, check you are on the list with what you expect on the reply details spreadsheet on the cadet pages of www.fencingcoach.net. Most of you have done all this with no problem in the past, some have found it a bit difficult…

 

 You will need FIE equipment for this event, 800N jacket, breeches, plastron, 1600N mask, S2000 blades. Your lame jacket, overlay, & mask must be in good condition to pass the weapon control. You should have 3 sabres & at least one spare body wire. (If you do not understand any of this paragraph ask your coach, do not ignore it & hope no-one will notice.)  There is no requirement to use size 2 sabres. Do not assume you will be able to buy equipment at the competition although there has been an equipment stand at the event every year. All your kit must be clearly marked with your name. Did you all read this bit, your kit must be clearly marked?

 

If you would like to go please fill in the form below & send it to me with a cheque for £308 (or the correct amount for your trip) payable to “Cadet Sabre” by the 13th December. It is very important that you send your money in on time. If you do not we will not arrange your trip for you & you may not be able to go.

 

You can check I have received your reply & cheque on the cadet information page of www.fencingcoach.net (click on “Pisa replies 07-08” for the spreadsheet), tell me at once if any of the details are not correct.

 

British cadet sabre squad – Pisa 3 February 08

 

Cost details:-

 

Travel

£150

Hotel & food

£101

Officials costs & fees

£74

TOTAL

£308

 

*For those of you travelling independently &/or not staying 2 nights with the team, the hotel costs are broken down as follows: Saturday lunch & transport, £17, Saturday night, £42, Sunday night, £42. Please work out what you will need to pay & send the correct amount if you would like me to book any accommodation. Once you have posted your cheque & forms please check the Pisa replies spreadsheet at www.fencingcoach.net to make sure I have the correct information.

 

Please contact me (preferably by email) if you have any questions. Please don’t ask any questions that are answered in this invitation & the information documents on the cadet pages of www.fencingcoach.net.

 

Neil Brown

 

 

 

 


Return before the 13th December

 

I would like to go to Pisa on the 3rd February & enclose a cheque for £308 payable to “Cadet Sabre”.

 

 

 

 

 

British Fencing

Cadet Sabre Squad

Code of Conduct & general information

 

Luggage

Please do not bring excessive amounts of luggage. All you should need is your fencing bag and a small overnight bag.

 

Equipment

You will need;

  • A passport (please check that it is current)
  • A European Health Insurance Card
  • BFA membership card
  • Full FIE kit

800N underplastron

800N Jacket

800N Breeches

1600N Mask (be sure your mask is in good condition).

Electric kit in good condition

Please note: Visor masks must have a visor dated within the last 2 years.

Minimum of 2 working weapons with FIE approved blades (preferably 3)

  • Other kit

Fencing Socks

Trainers (preferably fencing shoes)

2 Body wires (minimum)

Glove

Drink bottle

 

Insurance

You should ensure that you have appropriate travel insurance.

 

Staff

The adults accompanying this trip will be Neil Brown, Norman Golding, Peter Wright, Francesco Egro, . The Trip Leader will be Neil Brown

Cost

The cost of the trip will be £308 per person. Please see above for a breakdown of the costs. You must send a cheque, made payable to ‘Cadet Sabre’ for the full amount with your application.

 

Closing date

If you wish to take part in this trip I must receive your completed application and cheque no later than the morning of 13th December

 

Contact numbers

My contact details are at the top of this invitation.  If you wish to contact me during the trip my mobile will be on the whole time.

 

Behaviour

The foreign trips that we organise are not mini holidays. They are serious excursions to an elite level of competition. As such we expect fencers in the squad (regardless of age) to take the event seriously. We expect fencers to do everything in their power to get the best result possible. This includes getting a good night’s sleep before the event, eating and drinking sensibly in preparation for the event, presenting with all their kit in good working order, warming up sensibly before the event and again before each round as appropriate.

 

Fencers must remember that they represent Great Britain, as well as themselves, their Coach and their families. Unruly conduct is not acceptable.

 

As the FIE Rules for competitions say: by taking part in a competition, you pledge your honour to observe the regulations, obey orders, abide by the decisions of the Referees, be respectful and behave in an orderly, courteous and sporting manner.

 

Confrontations on the piste are always unpleasant. Remember that there is a proper procedure laid down in the rules in the event of a dispute with Referees or organisers. Remember as a member of British Fencing you agree to abide by all rules & regulations.

 

Attached are a code of conduct and a table of sanctions. Please read these thoroughly, sign the code of conduct, get your parents to counter sign it and return it along with your application for this trip.

 

Dope Testing

Dope testing may take place at competitions at home or abroad. Do not take any medicine in the fortnight leading up to a competition, without first checking that it is allowed. The Sports Council has produced a handy quick reference guide, the size of a credit card, which the BFA can supply if you send a stamped addressed envelope with your request. In any doubt refer to the British Fencing Medical Officer or the British Olympic Association; the list of prohibited drugs is being constantly updated and many GPs will not necessarily know which are banned substances. A full list of banned substances can be found on the WADA website. (www.wada-ama.org) & on the 100% ME web site www.100percentme.co.uk

Medicines

If you take any (permitted) medicines regularly, you must bring adequate supplies together with full written information from your doctor in case of any problems.

What do I do now?

 

If you wish to take part in the trip.

 

  1. If you wish to be part of this trip the first thing you must do is confirm this by email
  2. Your parent or guardian must complete the attached medical details and consent form and sign it.
  3. You must sign the attached ‘code of conduct’ sheet and get your parent/guardian to counter sign it.
  4. If your parents are not picking you up from the Meeting Point you must also get them to fill in the attached consent form allowing the organisers to release you into the care of another specified individual.
  5. Return to me, by first class post,

·         The medical details and consent form,

·         The code of conduct form,

·         If your parents have signed it the consumption of alcohol consent form,

·         A cheque for the cost of the trip

·         If required the consent form for being picked up.

  1. Obtain sufficient equipment of the appropriate standard.
  2. Get a European Health Insurance Card (if you don’t already have one.)
  3. Check your passport is current.
  4. Get your foreign currency
  5. Inform your local newspaper about your selection to fence abroad as part of the GB Squad.
  6. Fitness to fence. The Trip Leader must be sure that you are fit to fence. If you are injured or fall ill prior to departure, you must inform me immediately.
  7. Avoid taking any medicine in the fortnight leading up to a competition.
  8. If you are going to require (permitted) medication during the trip, obtain full written information from your doctor & complete a Therapeutic Use Exemption Form (TUE).

 

If you do not wish to take part in this trip.

 

  1. If you do not wish to fence in this event you must contact me by email immediately to let me know.

 

The above information about the trip and your preparation for the trip, I hope, gives you a good idea about what will be happening and what we expect of you before and during the trip.

It is all very serious, but none of this is to say that foreign trips are not, or will not be fun. They are an excellent opportunity to travel, meet people and experience life. They are always fun.

 

 

Trip to Pisa

2-4 Feb 08

Medical Details & Consent Form

 

Name of Fencer (as it appears on passport)...........................................National Fencing Association no........

Home Address             .............................................................................…………..…Date of birth..…………..

                                    .......................................................................................

Telephone Number      ...............................................................................................……………………………

Mobile number                        ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Email address              .............................……………………………(only if you have had this form by post)

Name and Telephone number to contact in an emergency…..................................……………………………..

Name and address of fencers own Doctor       .............................................................…………………………..

Is s/he allergic to anything? e.g. aspirin, antibiotics, any particular food or drugs? If so give details.

..........................................................................................................……………………………………………

Does s/he suffer from any of the following: asthma, chest complaints, hay fever migraine, fits or faints, travel sickness, diabetes, coeliac disease or any other illness or disability? If so give details.

.................................................................................................................................……………………………..

Is s/he having any medical treatment at present? If so, please give written details of treatment and medicines, etc.            ....................................................................................…………………………………………………...

Date of anti-tetanus injection (if known)         .............................................................…………………………..

Does the fencer have any physical disability? Please give details of any special attention required

.................................................................................................................................…………….……………….

Please indicate any special food/dietary requirements

.................................................................................................................................…………….……………….

Are there any activities in which your child should not participate?

.................................................................................................................................……………………………..

Is there any other information (including cultural or religious) about which the staff should be aware?

.................................................................................................................................……………………………..

Is your son/daughter covered by an annual travel insurance policy, which you have confirmed covers Fencing competitions       

 

Yes         No   (please delete as applicable).

 

I wish my son/daughter to be allowed to take part in the journey specified above and, having read the information provided, I agree to his taking part in any or all of the activities described.

I understand that British Fencing only assumes a duty of care for my son/daughter from the time that he reports to the Trip Leader at the Meeting Point and that British Fencing’s duty of care, ends when the Trip Leader dismisses the fencer into the care of either the parents or if the Parent/Guardian has made a written request for the fencer to be collected by a named person, till the fencer is met by the named person at the agreed arrival point (the airport).

 

I do/do not (delete as appropriate) wish to allow photos of my son/daughter to be published without my prior consent.

 

I enclose a cheque for the full cost of the trip.

I understand that, while the trip organizers will take all reasonable care of the children, they cannot necessarily be held responsible for any loss, damage or injury suffered by my son/daughter arising during or out of the trip. I accept all normal risks of participation in a fencing event and of travelling for that purpose.

 

I..................................................(Your name in BLOCK CAPITALS) give consent to the medical examination of my son/daughter/child of whom I am guardian when necessary, and for drug testing where required, whilst he is taking part In the trip, and I request that any operation or any other measures considered necessary, by a medical authority for his diagnosis and treatment shall be performed and I hereby give my permission for such operations or other measures to be carried out in an emergency only and for the administration of a general or local anaesthetic if necessary.

 

 

              Signature....................................................................   Date.......................................

 

 

Trip to (Name) event

Date

Consent Form for collection after trip by an individual other than parent

 

 

I ................................................……(Your name in BLOCK CAPITALS) give consent for my son/daughters/child of whom I am guardian

 

………………………………….….(your sons/daughters/ child of whom I am guardian name in BLOCK CAPITALS) to be handed into the care of

 

……………………………………..(name of person over the age of 18 in BLOCK CAPITALS) after the event, at the agreed meeting place, in this case airport arrivals.

 

 

Signature....................................................................   Date.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code of Conduct

As a member of British Fencing or an affiliated national association, I agree that:

1.                  I will accept the authority of the Trip Leader and I will carry out the Trip Leader’s reasonable instructions and intentions to the best of my ability and in the spirit of the sport.  I accept the authority of supervising adults on the trip in the same manner as the Trip Leader and I will behave in a respectful manner towards all such officials.

2.                  I am attending a sporting event or competition, where the aim is to excel at physical activity, and both that my aim is to achieve the best result and my actions and behaviour will mitigate towards that goal.

3.                  I will behave in a manner that will bring credit to British Fencing, my school (as appropriate), my club, my coach and myself.

4.                  I will not conduct myself in a manner prejudicial to or that could compromise good order and normal discipline.

5.                  I will not behave in a manner that could prejudice or compromise the welfare of other people or their property.

6.                  I will set a good example of effort, conduct and behaviour to other people on the trip.

7.                  I will not drink, nor be in possession of alcoholic beverages.

8.                  I will not buy alcoholic beverages or attempt to do so either for my own consumption or for others, including parents, friends or relations.

9.                  I will not smoke.

10.              If I infringe any of the rules I may be subject to sanctions laid down by British Fencing.  These sanctions may lead to my parents or guardians being informed of my behaviour, loss of points from a competition or a competition ban or suspension from membership or other sanction as may be applied.

Signed:…………………………………………………………Date:…………………………………..

 

NAME:……………………………………………... (Print) Date of Birth:…………………………….

 

Confirmed by parent or guardian and signed:……………………………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pisa 08

Congratulations to the following fencers who have been invited to Pisa as part of the British Under-17 squad.

 

1

DAVIES

Jessica

30/01/1991

1

HONEYBONE

James

11/01/1991

2

WILLIAMS

Sophie

21/03/1991

2

BRIGHTMAN

Samuel

16/03/1991

3

KERR

Felicity

02/10/1991

3

WOOD

Felix

09/03/1991

4

O'CONNELL

Grace

27/12/1991

4

SALTER

Michael

08/04/1991

5

WATSON

Alice

13/06/1991

5

CLARKE

Michael

24/06/1991

6

HUNTER-THOMAS

Laura

04/03/1992

6

HOWES

Anton

19/01/1991

7

HOPKINS

Rebecca

03/10/1992

7

AIYENURO

Soji

12/12/1993

8

LLOYD

Sarah

12/08/1991

8