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This theme examines the physiological determinants of fencing performance and the mechanisms that support repeated high-intensity actions during training and competition. Contributions may address the metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular demands of intermittent combat activity during bouts and tournaments.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Physiological Profiles of Elite Foil, Épée, and Sabre Fencers
• Energy System Contributions During Competitive Fencing Bouts
• Fatigue, Recovery, and Performance Across Multi-Bout Competition Formats

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

This session focuses on the biomechanical and analytical approaches used to understand and enhance fencing performance. Topics may include the kinematics and kinetics of key technical actions such as lunges, footwork, and bladework, as well as the application of motion capture, wearable technologies, and video-based analysis.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Kinematic Analysis of the Fencing Lunge Across Different Weapons
• Footwork Mechanics and Movement Efficiency in Elite Fencers
• Using Wearable Sensors to Quantify Movement Patterns in Training and Competition

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

This theme explores psychological processes that influence performance, learning, and athlete development in fencing. Contributions may examine perceptual-cognitive skills such as anticipation, decision-making, and reaction time, as well as the role of psychological skills including attentional control, confidence, and emotional regulation.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Decision-Making and Anticipation in Elite Fencing Performance
• Psychological Skills Training for Competitive Fencers
• Attention, Reaction Time, and Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise in Fencing

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

This session examines the prevalence, mechanisms, and risk factors associated with injuries in fencing populations. Presentations may address injury surveillance data, common injury profiles across weapons and levels of participation, and the influence of training load, technique, and equipment on injury risk.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Epidemiology of Injuries in Competitive Fencing: A Systematic Review
• Common Musculoskeletal Injuries in Fencers and Their Mechanisms
• Injury Prevention Strategies in Youth and Elite Fencing

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

This theme focuses on the scientific study of coaching practices and skill acquisition in fencing. Topics may include instructional methods, feedback and motor learning processes, athlete development pathways, and the role of coaching behaviours in shaping training environments.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Skill Acquisition in Fencing: From Novice to Expert
• Feedback and Motor Learning in Technical Fencing Training
• Coaching Behaviours and Athlete Development in Fencing Clubs

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

This forward-looking session explores emerging developments that may shape the future of fencing research, training, and competition. Contributions may examine technological innovations such as motion tracking, artificial intelligence, and advanced performance analytics.

Example Talk Ideas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Automated Performance Analysis in Fencing
• Integrating Sports Science and Data Analytics into Fencing Coaching
• The Role of Technology in the Evolution of Fencing Training

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Guest Speaker: Richard Sutcliffe (Funding 4 Sport)

Host: Chris Bryden (BF Clubs Development Officer)

This workshop will identify sports funding streams that can support BF clubs to deliver new activities and projects.

It will focus on both revenue and capital funding, as well as useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders. Finally, the workshop will explain how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in applying for funding in the future.

Learning objectives:

• Be able to easily identify funding streams in relation to sport that can support fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects.
• Learn useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders.
• Learn how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in the future with grant applications.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

BF Team Speakers – Sophia Jones & Sam Hepple

Host – Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

This webinar will be presented by Sophia Jones (Customer Services Manager) and Samantha Hepple (Membership Officer) and will cover a selection of common issues and problems that members experience when using the Sport:80 membership platform. In order to support members with using Sport:80, BF has collated responses over the past few months in relation to the most common enquiries received, and intends to present how to resolve these through this webinar.

Learning Objectives

• To assist BF members in overcoming common enquiries within Sport:80.
• To support members in becoming more confident in using Sport:80.
• To provide an opportunity for BF members to ask questions and find solutions in relation to the Sport:80 platform.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

BF Team Speakers – Sophia Jones & Sam Hepple

Host – Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

This webinar will be presented by Sophia Jones (Customer Services Manager) and Samantha Hepple (Membership Officer) and will cover a selection of common issues and problems that members experience when using the Sport:80 membership platform. In order to support members with using Sport:80, BF has collated responses over the past few months in relation to the most common enquiries received, and intends to present how to resolve these through this webinar.

Learning Objectives

• To assist BF members in overcoming common enquiries within Sport:80.
• To support members in becoming more confident in using Sport:80.
• To provide an opportunity for BF members to ask questions and find solutions in relation to the Sport:80 platform.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

BF Team Speaker: Liz Behnke

Host: Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

At BF, our shared goal is simple: to ensure every fencer has a safe, supportive and professionally run environment in which to train and compete. Hosted by Liz Behnke (Lead Safeguarding Officer) for British Fencing, this webinar/session will explore the the importance of BF affiliated clubs being fully compliant in order to achieve this goal. The webinar will explain in detail what being ‘fully compliant’ means and how BF can help support clubs in achieving this.

Learning Objectives

• Understand Club Compliance and what being ‘fully compliant’ means/looks like.
• Understand the support that British Fencing offer your club in this space.
• An opportunity to explore examples of how not being fully compliant could affect the operation of your club.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

BF Team Speaker: Liz Behnke

Host: Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

At BF, our shared goal is simple: to ensure every fencer has a safe, supportive and professionally run environment in which to train and compete. Hosted by Liz Behnke (Lead Safeguarding Officer) for British Fencing, this webinar/session will explore the the importance of BF affiliated clubs being fully compliant in order to achieve this goal. The webinar will explain in detail what being ‘fully compliant’ means and how BF can help support clubs in achieving this.

Learning Objectives

• Understand Club Compliance and what being ‘fully compliant’ means/looks like.
• Understand the support that British Fencing offer your club in this space.
• An opportunity to explore examples of how not being fully compliant could affect the operation of your club.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

BF Speakers – Jess Pearce (Partnerships Manager) and Giulia Enright (Commercial Administrator)

Host – Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

This webinar will be presented by Jess Pearce (Partnerships Manager) and Giulia Enright (Commercial Administrator) and will focus around the work that the BF partnerships team conduct and how this could, in time, translate into how BF can support clubs moving forwards in terms of their growth and becoming embedded within their local communities. In regards to this particular webinar, this is for individuals and clubs that would be interested in working collaboratively with BF. The webinar will focus on the following BF programmes:

• We Are Forging Futures
• Leisure Centre Programme
• SwordSeat

Learning Objectives

• Understand about BF projects, products and initiatives.
• Explore how your club can work collaboratively with BF to implement these.
• Ask questions and develop understanding/knowledge of BF work areas.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

Guest Speaker – Richard Sutcliffe (Funding 4 Sport)

Host – Christopher Bryden (Club Development Officer)

This Workshop will identify sports funding streams that can support British Fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects. It will focus on both revenue and capital funding, as well as useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders. Finally, the workshop will explain how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in applying for funding in the future.

Learning Objectives

• Be able to easily identify funding streams in relation to sport that can support fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects.
• Learn useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders.
• Learn how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in the future with grant applications.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Bryden (BF Club Development Officer) via [email protected].

Guest Speaker: Andreas Michaelas (Workforce Development Manager, British Wrestling)

Host: Abhishek Sudhakar (BF Digital Learning Manager)

Digital learning is transforming rapidly across sport, but it is learners who experience the impact most directly. In this session, Andreas Michaelas, Workforce Development Manager at British Wrestling, explores what digital change actually feels like for anyone engaging with learning within sport. Andreas has first‑hand experience of navigating digital learning transformation in an NGB while keeping learners at the centre of change.

Drawing on his extensive experience leading education programmes through significant periods of organisational change, Andreas will focus on the learner’s point of view rather than systems or strategy. The session looks at common reactions to digital change, including potential uncertainty, resistance, confidence-building, and gradual acceptance, using real and relatable examples from the sport sector. Attendees will gain insight into the practical and emotional challenges learners face, and what helps them feel supported, capable, and motivated when learning moves into digital spaces.

This session is relevant for anyone who wants to better understand learner experiences during digital learning transformation and engage with more effective, people‑focused learning environments.

Learning objectives:

• Understand how digital learning transformation can impact the learner experience, including initial reactions, concerns, and common challenges.
• Recognise how learner confidence and engagement can evolve over time during periods of change, based on real experiences from the context of another sport.
• Identify key factors that contribute to a positive user experience during digital learning change, including what helps learners feel supported and confident.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Abhishek Sudhakar (BF Digital Learning Manager) via [email protected].