British Fencing operates a register of qualified referees and referee examiners. This is designed to ensure that both referees and competition organisers maintain the quality and integrity at British Fencing events, along with good practice at all times.

Referees are added to the register once they have passed both the Level 2 theory and practical assessments and the Referee Instructor or Mentor has submitted the Level 2 practical assessment smart-sheet.

Referees only taking the theory assessment will receive an email from the Referee Instructor informing them their result, this should be retained and shown to the referee instructor/ mentor at the practical assessment.

Competition organisers need to be aware that by using referees not on the current referee register their competition public liability insurance may be invalidated, thus it is recommended to check the current referee register when accepting referees to officiate at any organised competition.

Due to current safeguarding regulations of minors, those referees under 18’s will not be on the published referee register but will be recorded on the main register held by the British Fencing Refereeing Manager.

How to become a registered Referee:

1. Become a BF member – (minimum level required is supporter) using the BF Sport80 membership portal.

2. Hold a Level 2  or higher referee qualification.

3. Hold a valid UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport certificate or have completed the BF online fencing specific safeguarding training 

4. Hold a valid DBS.