BIRTH YEAR VERIFICATION AT SUPER YOUTH CIRCUITS (NEW)
?? ?The national problem regarding ages of junior athletes has reached fencing. As a result, we will ask all
fencers to show a copy of their birth certificate, passport page, or another government-issued identification document as proof of their birth year at a Super Youth Circuit this season.
?? ?The Youth Development Committee, along with Regional Youth Coordinators and Local Organizers, is working
with the National Office of the United States Fencing Association in this process. Once a fencer's birth year information is verified at a Super Youth Circuit, the National Office will receive the information and store it in their membership database. The goal of the process is to have the fencer present proof of birth year one time only and for the National Office to retain its records of this information permanently.
?? ?If you have questions or comments, please contact the Chair of the Youth Development Committee, Maureen
?? ?We appreciate your help and thank you for your cooperation.
Introduction
?? ?Fifty-five percent of all USFA members are 15 years old or younger
. What better evidence that the sport of fencing is undergoing a rapid upsurge in growth and popularity on the grass roots level. With a larger talent pool than ever, our future Olympians and National team members are even more likely to exceed the standards set by Sada Jacobson and Keith Smart. To help discover and develop the next generation of U.S. Champions - and support the expansion of fencing throughout our country - we need to offer large, well-organized, economical competitions to younger members. The Regional Youth Committee was empowered to plan and institute a schedule of tournaments across the U.S. that
brings the fencing competition to the fencers
?? ?It has always been difficult to find enough quality competitions for youth category fencers to gain needed experience. While the attendance at Youth NACs has grown (the October 1998 Rochester YNAC had 385 entries; the January 2002 Saratoga Springs YNAC had 872), the increased size could eventually force the organizers to adopt formats that reduce the number of bouts for each competitor. The high cost of travel and housing for YNACs (coupled with the limited experience gained by the average competitor) necessitates the development of larger, well organized, conveniently located events. Most sports (from baseball to figure skating) organize graduated competitions. Athletes begin locally, and progress through statewide, regional, and eventually national levels. This has been a proven structure for developing and promoting grassroots through elite level competitors. The goal of our committee is to advance infrastructure and organization so that these "intermediate step" regional events will grow and flourish all over the United States. This is the essence of our mission, and would yield the following benefits:
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Promote grass roots development throughout the country, increasing USFA membership
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Create skill-appropriate, affordable competition for large masses of fencers in reasonable proximity to where they live and train
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Reduce travel and related expenses for fencers, administrators and officials
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Increase exposure and visibility of our sport
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Create decentralized regional organizations which can be more responsive to the particular needs of their fencing communities
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Generate a consistent source of revenue for building cohesive, decentralized regional organization and infrastructure
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Increase the base of potential elite athletes
By creating a sensible, cost effective progression of competitions for athletes in all categories, the grassroots, developing and elite fencer will be far better served.