GBR REPRESENTATION PRE-REQUISITE – PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Last Updated: 01.03.26

On this page:

• • Eligibility requirement for GBR international representation
  • Exemptions and how to request one
  • Situations where exemptions will not be granted
  • Links to exemption forms and published exemption lists
  • Why this requirement exists

WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT?

Any athlete wishing to be selected or entered to represent Great Britain at FIE or EFC competitions must have competed in the most recent National Championships for their relevant category (Cadet, Junior, U23, Senior or U14 BYCs).

For example, Cadet and Junior athletes seeking international selection from September 2026 must have competed in the 2025 Cadet & Junior National Championships.

EXEMPTIONS

Exemptions from this requirement are granted only in exceptional circumstances. These must:

• be requested in advance, and
• receive written approval from either the BF CEO or the Pathway Senior Management Team

If an athlete is unexpectedly injured or becomes ill close to the Championships, a doctor’s note must be submitted to BF Head Office within one week of the event.

The only automatic exemption applies where an athlete did not hold British citizenship at the time of the Championships but has since obtained citizenship.

EXEMPTION FORM

Athletes wishing to request an exemption for the Senior, Junior or Cadet Nationals must complete the online form:

GBR National Championships Exemption Form

The current exemption lists, published for athletes, parents and selectors to review, can be found here:

EXEMPTIONS FROM BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

CIRCUMSTANCES NOT ACCEPTED

Exemptions will not be granted on the following grounds:

• financial reasons
• living, working or studying abroad

Exemptions may be considered in cases involving uncertainty around travel restrictions.

Requests based on university exam timetables or restrictions around missing lectures/work must include supporting evidence. BF may contact employers or educational institutions to verify the information provided.

WHY THIS REQUIREMENT EXISTS

BF aims to keep compulsory demands on international athletes as minimal as possible. The only mandatory requirement is attendance at the relevant National Championships, with no minimum performance threshold.

The Championships are an important showcase of GBR talent, providing:

• high-level domestic competition for current GBR athletes
• valuable experience for future GBR athletes, whether competing or spectating
• an opportunity for athletes aspiring to represent GBR to also aspire to become National Champion

This requirement ensures that British athletes compete against their peers domestically and continue to contribute to the development and visibility of fencing within the UK.

Click the links below to go to your GBR Zone:

Para Fencing | Under 14 | Cadet | Junior | U23 & Senior