This article forms part of a series of reports accompanying the 2024-25 BF Annual Report.
In this report:
The GBR Pathway Programme (previously ADP) is a six-weapon program based on the BF Fencer Pathway Model. Its goal is to support athletes in reaching their potential and success and inspiring others. The programme is designed for athletes aged 14+, who advance through a specific development pathway, to achieve success in high-level fencing and beyond. Its aim is to develop those aspirational athletes who wish to perform at the Olympic level, and with the integration of Wheelchair fencers, Paralympic level.
In 2024-25 integration of Wheelchair athletes into the GBR Camps continued in preparation for the transition of the Wheelchair Fencing WCP from UKSI.
The GBR Pathway Programme objectives for 2024-25 were:
1. International Competition – create the right international opportunities for the right athletes to accelerate performances on a pathway to international success.
2. World Class Ready – continue the 2021 – 2025 objective of embedding the importance of IADPs within the athlete and coach community.
1. International Competition
The international competitions within the GBR Pathway Programme allow fencers to demonstrate their performance levels to meet qualification standards for selection for the Major Championships, and accelerate fencers’ development by building experiences in preparation for the Major Championships.
Junior international performances continue to be on an upward trajectory in the team events, as evidenced with Gold medals in the Junior Men’s Epee and Foil and Bronze in the Junior Women’s Foil at the European Championships.
Note: The links listed below refer to competitions from February 2024 to July 2025. While some fall outside the Financial year, from a fencing perspective, this is considered the period of Major Championships across all the age groups: Cadets, Juniors, U23s, and Seniors.
To see the GBR Performance Round-Up appendix, please see here: GBR Performance Round-Up
2. World Class Ready
Independent Athletes: Performance Data
Fencers continue to be able to record their individual results themselves and these are verified and included in the dataset. Athletes can also submit team data via this link. We continued to promote use of IADPs within the athlete and coach community, encouraging use of performance data to inform their regular athlete reviews. There was a focus on evolving simplified resources for athletes lower down the pathway.
GBR Coach and Personal Coaches
We continued to utilise, review and shape the GBR Coaches Code of Conduct to re-invigorate the coaching support to the performance pathway. We have also deepened our relationship between GBR Coaches and Personal coaches, to support coach understanding when supporting athletes with their performances at International events and the Major Championships. This approach continues to contribute to the collective intelligence of our coaching and athlete community.
As in previous years we held a total of 6 GBR camps across all weapons and have continued to focus on performance simulation, incorporating FIE referees, call room processes, DT running competition formats with poules, DE and team match structures.
After reviewing the European Preparation Camp held in February 2024 and building on its success, another preparation camp was held in February 2025, with the support of FCL, prior to the Cadet and Junior European Championships in March 2025.
Through the Cohort 32 initiative (funded by UK Sport Progression), the Cohort 32 athlete group are continuing to grow their understanding of the performance requirements of being an athlete on the senior circuit.
We have recruited a Performance Athlete Support Coordinator, who started the role in March 2025 to review and support the coaching community’s understanding of IADPs, with a focus on the newly eligible Cadet Cohort for season 2025-26.
We conducted a community discussion regarding selection, including U14s for the first time. An outcome of these discussions has led us to consider including U14s in the development pathway.
Sport England took over the DiSE programme and is part of the England Talent Pathway.
2024 saw 25 people continue to attend their second and final year of the DiSE programme. For 2025, 28 places are available and the recruitment is in progress with a likelihood of more applicants than places.
Part of the DiSE integration with the GBR Pathway is the curriculum deliverables. Courses used in 2024 at the induction stage of the program were Culture and Values, Goal Setting, and Fencers Attending International Competition. All have access to courses on the BF Learning Zone.
Looking ahead to 2025-26, the GBR Pathway programme will:
This progress will enable us to build British Fencing’s goal to Deliver GBR Success, ensuring every talented athlete has the opportunity to benefit from a performance pathway system with the tools, coaching, and support to maximise their potential, in line with the BF 2030 Strategy.
BF would like to thank:
Click here for the full 2024-25 Annual Report.
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