Who is Coach Accreditation for?

Coaches planning to support athletes at a BF competition must complete the accreditation process before the event. There will be an application deadline depending on the event.

Eligibility:

To begin the process, coaches must hold one of the following:

• A current GBR Coach Licence (Annual) available via Sport:80: Access GBR Coach Licence on Sport:80 (£55 annual licence: covers all BF and international events)
• A Single Event Coach Licence for the competition: View Single Event Coach Licence Information (£16 per event)

To be eligible for accreditation, applicants must also:

• Appear on the BF Coaching Register: Check Coaching Register Requirements
• Hold a valid anti-doping certificate: View Anti-Doping Certification (Coach Clean)

What does this accreditation provide?

• Access to warm-up and piste areas.
• Permission to provide warm-up lessons.
• Access to the Field of Play during Direct Elimination and Team Matches (where applicable).

What does this accreditation not provide?

• Access to the Field of Play during poules.
• Entry to the referees’ room, media areas or event organisers’ office (unless invited).

Coaches must leave the Field of Play once bouts have concluded.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made in advance of the event. A form will become available, which we will announce on our website. You will need to provide your name, email, phone number, BF membership number, type of licence held, the club/school whose athletes you will be supporting, the weapon category that you will be supporting, and the name of the fencer(s) being supported.

Accreditation may be issued during the competition, but for a higher fee.

Collection of accreditation:

Accreditation lanyards and passes will be available for collection at the event desk. The lanyard will be coloured blue. Lanyards are event-specific and do not need to be returned. Accreditation is not transferable. The lanyard and pass must be visible at all times.

What if I am an international coach?

There is a separate process for coaches based outside the UK who are supporting GBR athletes at domestic events. International coaches can request details by emailing [email protected].

Who is Media Accreditation for?

Anyone wanting to take photographs using any kind of professional or semi-pro camera equipment must apply for media accreditation in advance of the event – accreditation will not be available during the competition. This means any kind of camera with a detachable lens, and/or using any kind of tripod or monopod.

Media accreditation is for still photography only – no pro or semi-pro video equipment is permitted.

Accreditation applications are valid across all event days.

Please visit this page for BF Event Media Information here.

BF reserves the right to refuse or withdraw photographic accreditation at any time without giving a reason.

NOTE: Any person taking photographs of any kind with any device must follow any instructions given by the BF media representatives, the Event Director, and/or the referees.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made in advance of the event. A form will become available to apply for accreditation. You will need to provide your name, email and phone number, as well as why you would like photographic accreditation at this competition and where the images will be used.

Collection of accreditation:

Collection of the required lanyard, pass and high-vis jacket will be available from the event desk. The lanyard will be coloured green and the jacket blue. Please return your lanyard to the event desk at the end of your competition day. Accreditation is not transferable. The lanyard, pass and high-vis jacket must be visible at all times.

You will be unable to coach or support.

Cost for accreditation:

Free

Who needs Medical Accreditation?

Medical Accreditation is available for those assisting athletes who may require medical support during the event. Medical Accreditation helps referees, floor staff and on-site medical teams identify individuals who are present to support a fencer with medical needs.

Accreditation is valid across all event days.

Eligibility:

• Hold the minimum of a BF Supporter Membership.
• Ensure the athlete’s medical information is up to date on the Sport:80 membership platform.
• Be available to provide relevant information to the event’s medical and safeguarding teams.
• Be 18 years or older.

What doesn’t Medical Accreditation provide?

This Accreditation does not grant general Field of Play access; entry will only be permitted if required during a medical incident.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made in advance of the event. A form will become available, which we will announce on our website. You will be asked for your name, email, phone number, BF membership number and the name of the fencer(s) being supported. You will also need to confirm that the medical reason for support is listed in the athlete’s Sport:80 account.

Collection of Passes:

Collection of the lanyard and passes will be available from the event desk. The lanyard will be coloured yellow. Please return your lanyard to the event desk at the end of your competition day. The Medical Accreditation is not transferable. The lanyard and pass must be visible at all times.

Cost for Pass:

Free

What is the Supporter Access Pass for?

A Supporter Access Pass is to provide a positive experience for fencers competing in the youth category (under 18 and below), particularly if it is their first time at a competition. The Supporter Access Pass will allow one named supporter on the Field of Play (FoP) during the Direct Elimination (DE) rounds (this is after the initial set of poules). This may be to guide the fencer or help them with kit. The Supporter Access Pass is not transferable.

Most supporters will not require access to the field of play during DE matches. However, members holding a valid Supporter or Compete BF membership who wish to support a participant may request a Supporter Access Pass. BF can issue these passes for the following events:

• British Youth Championships (approved passes will cover the full duration of the BYCs).
• British Open Senior & U14 Championships (applications will open later on).

Supporter access will not be offered for the Senior National Championships or the GB Cup in April.

This route is not for coaches.

What does the Supporter Access Pass provide?

Accredited supporters will receive an access pass that must be worn visibly throughout the event.

• FoP access during DE rounds and team matches only.
• Access for one supporter per athlete, or two per team.

During DE bouts, accredited supporters may sit at the side of their athlete’s piste.

During poules, no parents, guardians, carers, supporters or coaches will be permitted to enter the FoP or use piste‑side seating. Spectators not requiring FoP access may continue to support athletes from outside the barriers. You will still be able to stand close to the competition area, with barriers usually positioned around two metres from the end of each piste.

Supporters must leave the FoP immediately after bouts finish. Passes may be revoked, and membership suspended, if the BF Code of Conduct is breached.

What the Supporter Access Pass does not provide:

• FoP access during poules.
• Entry to the referees’ room.
• Access to media areas.
• Entry to the event organisers’ office, unless invited.
• Use of training areas.
• Warm‑up spaces.

Eligibility:

• Aged 16 or over at the time of the event.
• A parent, guardian, clubmate or club official.
• Holding a minimum of a BF Supporter membership.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made in advance of the event. A link to purchase Supporter Access Passes will become available, which we will announce on our website along with the deadline for applications. Accreditation may be issued during the competition, but for a higher fee.

Collection of Passes:

Passes and official lanyards can be collected from the event desk on arrival. The lanyard colour will be red. Lanyards may be kept for future use, although a new access pass will be issued for each event. The Supporter Access Pass is not transferable. The lanyard and pass must be visible at all times.

Cost for Pass:

£12

Who needs a Support Worker Access Pass?

The Access Pass allows Support Workers to enter the designated Para Field of Play (FoP) to safely assist their athlete. An Access Pass is required for anyone supporting a para fencer in any of the following ways:

• Assisting with equipment.
• Helping with transfers between wheelchairs.
• Supporting an athlete when entering or leaving the piste or FoP.
• Acting as a carer.
• Providing essential subsistence such as water, food or medication.

Passes are valid for all event days.

How do I apply?

Applications must be made in advance of the event. A form will become available, which we will announce on our website.

Collection of Passes:

Your lanyard and Access Pass will be available for collection from the event desk on arrival. The lanyard will be coloured red. Please return your lanyard to the event desk at the end of your competition day. The Support Worker Access Pass is not transferable. The lanyard and pass must be visible at all times.

Cost of Pass:

Free

Why is there an accreditation charge?

Accreditation plays an important role in providing a positive and safe experience at events for all involved. There are costs associated with this including administration as well as a team of staff and event volunteers to support the event. These costs include expenses such as travel, food and overnight accommodation. This team of people are essential in providing the positive and safe environment that benefits everyone.

In the 2024/25 season BF processed 568 domestic accreditations.

These costs are not covered by event fees, BF membership, nor Sport England or UK Sport funding.

BF has a commitment to supporting the development of coaches and provides the Advanced Coaching Programme and Sword in Hand CPD Days free of charge to coaches who wish to access. An example of a CPD Day can be seen here. New dates will be announced soon.

In addition, BF invest in a Fencing Development Team who help support the development of coaches.

Why do coaches need an anti-doping certificate?

Anti-doping certification such as Coach Clean from UK Anti-Doping is there to support coaches recognise and understand their responsibilities with regards to clean sport. The course enables coaches to improve your understanding of anti-doping and how the rules impact on coaches. In addition, coaches will gain confidence in using key tools which help you to support and protect your athletes.

Coach Clean is free and is delivered online and able to be done in your own time.

I’m a registered coach, can I just get supporter access instead of coach accreditation?

Yes, however, only coaches with coach accreditation will be able to give warm up lessons on the pistes. Supporter Access will grant you Field of Play access to sit at the side of the piste during DE rounds and team matches.

What is the accreditation process?

• Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria needed for the accreditation you require.
• Apply for accreditation. Applications must be made in advance of the event. A form will become available, which we will announce on our website.
• BF carry out various due diligence checks and approve.
• Once approved, BF create accreditations and get them printed ready for the event.