Elite Epee Junior Series

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Points Race Rankings – Link

Outline

In 2007 the steady increase of top level Junior Epee Fencing in and around the Surrey area led us to believe that there was a real need for a series of local competitions to help nurture the local talent and help introduce less experienced fencers to competition fencing. Over the years the series has flourished and is now widely regarded as one of the best run series of events and most enjoyable in the country.

The series is open to fencers from all counties & countries, not just Surrey and has attracted fencers from all around the country with fencers travelling from as far afield as Wales, Scotland, Newcastle, Plymouth and even the Channel Islands to take part in the events.

As well as great events to gain experience in competition, the Elite Epee Junior Series Events are generally used within the England Youth Rankings for selecting England teams for International trips each year (however EF makes the final decision on which events are used for their rankings).

Series Structure – Updated for 2024/25 season

We are looking to makes changes to the series, both to allow the series to continue in a financially stable basis and to fit in with National Ranking Schemes for the upcoming season.

Series Finances –

We wish to keep the high quality of events through the year, but with cost of hiring venues for 2024 rising by 20% in some cases, referee expenses rising by over 10% in the last year and van hire, fuel and other costs going up considerably, I would have to increase entry costs by 15% or more to cover these rises or look at other ways we can adapt the series to keep overall costs down. 

Age-Groups for Series – 24/25 season

We will still be looking to continue with Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 17 age-groups, however we will be looking to switch the qualifying year of birth for each age-group part way through the year, so that our series falls in line with National Ranking schemes and to specifically match in closer to the British Cadet ranking scheme. 

Points/Ranking System

With half of the fencers in the series switching age-group categories part way through the 2024/5 season, will will combine our points race system, and combining age-groups into a single points race for boys and another for Girls.  Fencers can only gain points for their ‘official’ age-group category, so if a Under 14 fencer competes in a Cadet event, the Cadet result will not count on their points race total.

The points system for the 2023-24 season onwards will use the same points scheme as in recent years and will count points received from all the events of the season in the Points Race.

If a tie exists after all the qualifying events are completed (for the final qualifying place) the place will be decided by the best two positions gained by those fencers (addition of those placings), if there is still a tie the place will be decided by who has the highest placed single result.  If a tie still exists, places will be decided on the biggest entry in the best placed result.

The actual Points race can be found at the top of this page.

Venues

In 2024, we are hoping to be able to run events at the following venues, which venues are used in a season will vary depending on availability on required dates.

• Moulton College, Northants
• City of London Freemen’s School, Surrey
• The Manchester Fencing Centre
• The Newcastle Fencing Centre
• The Peterborough School, Cambridgeshire
• Oundle School, Northamptonshire

Due to the size of some venues, we may need to restrict which age-groups are included in some events, prioritizing younger age-groups where possible.

Event Formats

We try to run the events in as a professional manner as possible with referees and helpers receiving expenses for their attendance. Entries will be capped to ensure the events are run in a smooth manner with no requirement for multiple waves of poules in the first round. The initial events will usually run with one round of poules (ideally of 7s and 6s, however this size poules is not possible for all entry numbers), followed by Direct Elimination down to the winner, however the organisers reserve the right to adapt this format if it is thought that the entry number requires a different format. The 5th event, ‘The Series Final’ will run as a poule of 8 followed by Direct Elimination to find the Series Grand Final Champions.

Check-in and start times will be published approximately 2/3 weeks before each events once a good idea of entry numbers are known. Entry caps will be detailed on this website if they are required once entries start coming in and a entry cap for each event will be set at closing date for each event. In past years we have tried to set earliest check-in closing times at 10.00am to give fencers time to travel from many areas of the country on the day, however if numbers and circumstances require, some events may have to start earlier (9.00am or such) but we will try to avoid this.

Dependant on numbers some events may start in the late afternoon/early evening to ensure each event is finished with as little waiting around as possible with the last final being completed as early as possible. The plan is for events to start as close to the check-in times as possible so you will probably be scratched if you are not checked-in on time. Please ensure you give yourselves spare time to arrive at the event before your check-in closes.

Seedings for the first event of the season will be taken from the series points race from the previous season or relevant National rankings (depending on what is most appropriate in the organiser’s view) . . Seedings for later events will be taken from the current season’s points race or relevant National rankings (depending on what is most appropriate in the organiser’s view) .

For EEJS events that are also British Ranking Circuit events, the seedings for the event will be based on the required seeding scheme to correspond with British Fencing BRC event rules.

Communication

Information will be placed on this site, including entry lists (updated periodically and more often coming up to closing dates), so please check they have been received), check-in times and general information on events. Please check the website just after entries close for confirmed check-in times etc.

Weapon Sizes

Under 10 – Size 0
Under 12 – Size 0 or 2
Under 14 – Events up to British Youth Championships of that season (early may-day bank holiday), Size 0,2. Events after BYCs choice of 0,2 or 5
Under 17 – Size 0, 2 or 5

Please note that the Under 14 size choice has been made following discussions with a number of coaches and takes into account when many fencers change up from size 2 to size 5 weapons following their last BYC U14 event.

Epee Lengths

Size 0 Epees (guard to tip 77.5cm max)
Size 2 Epees (guard to tip 82.5cm max)

Fight times / durations – To match British Youth Championship format

Under 10 age-group – Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a 2 minute fight duration. Direct Elimination fights will be to 10 hits with 3 periods of 2 minute duration (with a one minute gap between periods).

Under 12 age-group – Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a 3 minute fight duration. Direct Elimination fights will be to 10 hits with 3 periods of 2 minute duration (with a one minute gap between periods).

Under 14 age-group – Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a 3 minute fight duration. Direct Elimination fights will be to 15 hits with 3 periods of 3 minute duration (with a one minute gap between periods).

Under 17 age-group- Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with 3 minute duration and in the Direct Elimination fights will be to 15 hits with 3 periods of 3 minute duration.

Equipment regulations

All kit must conform to the British Fencing regulations (see www.britishfencing.com). In the under 17 event (and Under 14 event after BYCs of that season) size 5 weapons will be allowed to be used so 350N breeches and 800 Newton plastrons are required. Weapons may be tested at the event from the first round for weight and travel; however due to the use of communal weapons by a large number of the entries, cards will not be issued for failed weapons (in this regard). All fencers should ensure that the equipment they are wearing fits correctly, with suitable overlap, especially between jackets & breeches. Referees will be specifically requested to ensure this is the case. Fencers in Girls events are required to wear chest-protectors.

Prizes

Medals will be awarded to the top 4 in each individual event for the initial competitions of the series. The Grand Final Event will award prizes to all the 8 qualified fencers consisting of medals/plaques & fencing equipment vouchers. There will also be a trophy awarded to the Grand Final winners which will be returned and presented annually.

Finances

The series runs mainly on the entry fees received from fencers attending the events, with assistance from sponsors and other kind contributors/donors to the series. These funds pay for the running of the events including venue costs, referees, other staff (armourers, DT etc), hire charges for kit, van hire and every other imaginable cost In addition their is a prize fund for the Grand Final to pay for equipment vouchers, which we aim to continue going forward. Funds that are excess to the running of the events will go towards the time and expense of running the events by the competition organisers.  Prizes not collected by fencers at the Grand Final (if they leave before presentations) will be deemed as donated to our local fencing set up to support fencers that need help in securing equipment.

Late Entry Fees

There is an additional £5 late entry fee for entries made after the ‘initial entries close date’.

Refunds for withdrawals

Generally refunds are not given for fencers who do withdraw from events, however in cases that fencers withdraw 4 weeks or more in advance of an event taking place requests will be considered. Any refunds would be subject to a ₤5.00 administration fee, which would be taken off any returned funds.  Refunds will be made by bank transfer only and require an emailed request.

Referees/Event Officials

These events are only possible due to the huge efforts put in by the team of referees and other officials who attend the event. We do have a range of referees, from those who are fully qualified FIE referees who have refereed previously at Olympic Games, to those just starting out on their refereeing careers who are using these events to gain experience prior to taking their refereeing exams. Please note that we will only have referees at these events which we are confident in their abilities and experience of fencing.

All referees and officials are offered expenses to cover attendance at the events. Due to the tight budget (and to save on admin) this is on a flat rate basis.

If you are a referee, or a competent fencer who wishes to gain experience from refereeing at our events, please feel free to get in touch.

Data retention, Publishing of Entry lists and Results online

By entering these competitions you agree for entry lists, results, photographs and videos to be published on our facebook page, website and linked results page (British Fencing etc) and that data (including contact data) can be held by the event organisers to assist in future competition arrangements (including contacting you to inform you of future events).

Photography

The organizers will be arranging for some photography/videoing to occur during the event within the fencing hall. If you do have any issues with your child being included in these photos please contact the organizer prior to the event. Individuals may video/take photographs during the event (no flashes please) and, as events are run in public spaces, it is impossible to ensure videos/photographs will not be shared on social media.  Please see the British Fencing privacy/photography policy for full details.

If the event organiser/welfare officer (or authorised representative of the event organiser/welfare officer) suspects inappropriate photography or filming, the officer/organiser should exercise his/her powers under the conditions to request the person to leave the venue and to surrender any film and/or delete any images relating to the event. Any person present at an event who has any concerns about any images being taken, by any person, should bring them to the attention of the competition organiser or other designated person.

Use of data/images & video

You may provide us with personal data as part of applying for or participating in events or activities.

This may include, but is not limited to, additional contact information, medical information, emergency contact information and images (photographic or video).

Where these activities or events are open to non-members:

• We may additionally collect your name, date of birth, gender, email address, address, contact telephone numbers,

Occasionally, we take photos or videos of fencing activities. We may use these images in commercial materials that we produce, in displays and on our website. We may also make video or webcam recordings for monitoring, evaluation, training and educational purposes.

We also send images to the news media, or our activities/events/competitions may be visited by the media who will take their own photographs or film footage (for example, of a visiting dignitary or other high profile event).  People will often appear in these images.  The news media may use the images in printed publications (including local or national newspapers), on televised news programmes or on their website. They then store them in their archive. They may also syndicate the photos to other media for possible use, either in printed publications, on websites, or both. When we submit photographs and information to the media, we have no control on when, where, if or how they will be used.

If you do not want us to use your image or your child’s image, please let us know.

Personal data may also collected in the event that you are involved in any accidents or disciplinary or safeguarding incidents and any subsequent investigation arising from these.

Equipment Stand

Generally the cost involved in having a substantial equipment stand and the sales it creates makes it unfeasible to have a full equipment stand at events. What we can arrange for some events is a delivery service for competitions as I do visit the Allstar/Uhlmann & BladesBrand shop in advance of many Elite Epee events. Those who enter events will have this process detailed in time to make orders when available.

Refreshments

We cannot guarantee that we will have refreshment stands at all the events, however it is planned. If we do we will let those entering know in advance, however it is always advisable to bring your own supplies of things you like to eat anyway. We will let all those entered know what will be available prior to the event.

Data retention, Publishing of Entry lists and Results online

By entering these competitions you agree for entry lists and results to be published on our Facebook page, website and linked results page (British Fencing, Epee.me etc) and that data (including contact data) can be held by the event organisers to assist in future competition arrangements (including contacting you to inform you of future events).

Elite Epee Events Data Privacy Notice

Sponsorship

If you are interested in sponsoring the series or any part of the series please contact us.