This article forms part of a series of reports which accompany the 2024-25 BF Annual Report.
In this report:
Coach learning, development and education continues to be delivered through a combination of BF led delivery and licensed education partners.
Overall the number of workforce courses increased from 2023-24.
In August, Chris Turner started in his role as Coaching and Workforce Development Manager to continue the development of this work. Chris’ first piece of work has been to establish the Fencing Development Team; a geographically spread team of people supporting the learning and development of workforce across the fencing landscape.
August 2024 saw the third BF Learning Week delivered with 25 sessions delivered.
| ITCF | CFL2 | WS3 | 24-25 Total | 23-24 Total | |
| Number of courses | 9 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 12 |
| Number of Participants Passed | 81 | 43 | 9 | 133 | 125 |
| % Female Passes | 29% | 26% |
Course descriptions can be seen here.
| SafeGuard Core | SafeGuard Welfare Officer | |
| 24-25 | 210 | 92 |
| 23-24 | 187 | 74 |
Course descriptions can be seen here.
L1 these courses were held by the Home Nations
L2 these courses were held by the Home Nations
L3 – 10 candidates
L4 – 10 candidates
The referee journey can be seen here*
*please note Level 2 refereeing in England will be delivered by British Fencing in 25-26.
| Domestic | International | |
| Number of Participants passed | 25 | 23 |
| % Female | 32 | 39 |
More information on Team Manager training here.
For all upcoming workforce courses visit here.
One of our ambitions for this year was to create a Fencing Development Team which has been achieved. The ambition for the team is to be a collaborative group of people who support the development of individuals through the delivery of courses and learning opportunities. In time, we see the team having a positive impact on their local areas through recognising opportunities and being provided with a range of delivery options to support.
January saw training delivered for eight new participants which combined with previous coach developers joining the journey takes the team to 30 (33% female).
For more information on the Fencing Development Team including current members visit here.
BF’s third annual Learning Week delivered 24 sessions to over 550 people. The sessions were delivered by a mixture of staff members and guest speakers, on topics related to fencing and sport more widely.
Sessions included:
As in previous years we engage with partners across the sport and the sector to support the growth and development of our workforce.
The aim of the Advanced Coaching Programme is to support the growth of our coaches through the exploration of their own coaching philosophy, reflective practice and values as well as providing an opportunity to explore performance, athlete and season planning. Following a first second cohort with eight participants in 2023-24; a second cohort of 11 coaches (36% female) enrolled on the programme in 2024-25. From the first two cohorts 10 coaches have successfully completed the programme.
Cohort 3 began in May 2025.
In 2025-26 we will be delivering the programme again to Cohort 4. Applications will open mid October 2025.
In response to demand for more informal coach CPD opportunities, additional ‘Sword in Hand’ CPD days were delivered in all weapons. These are intended to bring coaches together to share anything they would like to discuss with their peer group, alongside the opportunity for coaches to give and receive lessons with feedback.
Although take up has been low; they have been well received by attendees. Further opportunities will continue into 25-26 with developers from our Fencing Development Team facilitating the sessions. We also plan to deliver these with a greater geographical spread, opening up access for more coaches.
| Foil | Epee | Sabre | All Weapons | Total | |
| Number of CPD Days | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Sign Ups | 22 | ||||
Upcoming Sword in Hand CPD Days can be seen here.
Support to GBR Pathway Coaches across all weapons has been delivered through the Coach Development Team with opportunities to access to BF Learning Week 2024, the Advanced Coaching Programme and Combat Club.
In addition GBR coaches accessed informal CPD sessions as well as 1:1 Mentoring and in-competition support from external and internal Coach Developers and UK Coaching CPD events.
Key Stats
In 2025/26 we will build on this work by:
BF would like to thank:
Click here for the full 2024-25 Annual Report.
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