Road to Tokyo – Aspiration & MSP

01.01.2022 This page is no longer being updated, it is being retained for archive purposes

In 2019 UK Sport awarded Fencing £192,500 as part of the UK Sport Aspiration Fund (AF). Running until March 2020, this fund is intended to increase the opportunities for athletes and sports to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and to maximise the positive and inspirational impact that the qualification journeys can have on the lives of others.

In addition to this BF has been awarded Medal Support Plan (MSP) funding to support the individual programmes of two athletes (Richard Kruse and Marcus Mepstead).

The focus areas of the ADP to deliver the objectives of Aspiration & MSP:

1. Maximise the qualification and medal potential of GBR Teams in Tokyo by supporting qualification and medal opportunities for individual athletes most likely to qualify directly or via the zonal qualification route.
2. Deliver on the social impact plan which forms the basis of the Aspiration Funding.

Maximise qualification and medal potential

Under the leadership of Johnny Davis as the Olympic Team Manager support has been focussed on those athletes/squads with a realistic opportunity to qualify for Tokyo.

Where possible UK Sport funded (Aspiration and Medal Support Plan) activities are aligned to maximise available resources and by working with the BF Charity, the Epee Club and private patrons BF have been able to provide a package of support to our top athletes which include:

• A Team Manager, Team Coaches in Foil, Epee and Sabre and a Sports Therapist to support the whole GBR squad at the 2019 European and World Championships
• Team Entry Fees for all weapons competing at 2019 European and World Championships
• World Cup Team Entry Fees for all weapons over the qualification period
• Grants of £500 to athletes competing in the Men’s Foil Team at World Cup Team events over the qualification period. In addition, some funds have been raised to support athletes in the Men’s Sabre Team along their qualification journey

Delivering Social Impact

To be eligible to receive Aspiration funding, BF is required to deliver an agreed social impact plan. This plan demonstrates how athletes benefitting from the funding will in return engage and inspire communities both inside and outside of fencing. Throughout the year athletes who have benefitted from Aspiration funding have been involved in community and social engagements including London Youth Projects, the Great Ormand Street Hospital Sports Day and Muslim Girls Fence.

Working with The True Athlete Project, athletes have also been given the opportunity to engage with a Mentor Programme which, as well as inspiring others, also helps them develop their own leadership skills as they move up the pathway.

Return to ‘The ADP Zone‘ to find out more information about the work that we do.