The CEO is currently undertaking a Board approved review of activities including those that underpin British Fencing’s International Youth Trips.

An early conclusion of the review is that there are inadequate resources currently available to ensure that British Fencing International Cadet Trips can take place in a consistent, efficient (time and money), low risk environment for all involved.   British Fencing has therefore taken the decision to suspend official British Fencing Trips to International Cadet Qualifiers. This decision will be reviewed after the Cadet World Championships in 2015

Parents of those athletes selected to compete in these International Cadet Qualifier competitions will be able to choose whether they accompany their children to these events, or entrust a responsible person with taking their child.

During this suspension, British Fencing will be working with team managers, coaches and parents to create a best practice method of managing International Cadet Trips with the appropriate resources, tools and systems to support it.

The success of trips to date is largely thanks to teams of volunteers who give significant time and effort for no pay, and British Fencing are committed to finding a way to reduce this workload to allow this activity to be sustainable in the future.

Our goal is to create a trip environment where athletes have the best chance of delivering on their performance goals whilst minimising the risks, administration burden and financial overhead for all involved.

British Fencing will also be reviewing its related codes of conduct, procedures and guidelines (e.g.“Disciplinary and Child Welfare”) to ensure that these are fit for purpose in supporting the right kind of competitive experience for those athletes and officials that represent Great Britain.

British Fencing will run organised trips to the Cadet Europeans and Cadet World Championships in 2015 using the best practice methods identified.

Further information aimed at answering questions that parents and coaches may have, will be published shortly.