Last updated: 23rd April 2025
TEAM MANAGER COURSES
Domestic Team Manager Training – fully online, on-demand.
Currently this course is being offered free of charge to British Fencing members.
International Team Manager Training
Currently this course is being offered free of charge to British Fencing members and coaches.
A minimum of 3 people are required to run the International Training module. The maximum number per course is 12.
Dates:
COACHING COURSES
Please be aware of all the requirements needed to be on the British Fencing coaching register and insured to coach.
2025/2026 CALENDAR
You can register your interest with this form to be notified when there’s an update on the course you are looking for.
For coaching course queries, please contact Anna Ronzino (Core Coach and ITCF) or Lorraine Rose (CFL2, WSL3, WSL4).
SWORD IN HAND COACHING CPD OPPORTUNITIES
Continual Professional Development (CPD) is now being supported through running dedicated CPD workshops designed to support and enhance coaches’ coaching skills focused on the technical coaching HOW skills.
BF training is free to access, although BF will not provide accommodation/food or cover travel costs.
If you are thinking of stepping into coaching, these days are a great way to get a taster, meet fellow coaches and our Fencing Development Team who can support you.
We have face-to-face CPD days available, free of charge to BF-registered coaches. Upcoming opportunities will be listed here:
If you would like an informal chat about the opportunity, please email [email protected]
OTHER CPD OPPORTUNITIES FOR COACHES
For more information, see this page.
Applications for cohort three are now closed.
The aim of BF’s Advanced Coaching Programme is to support the growth of our coaches through the exploration of their own coaching philosophy, reflective practice and values as well providing an opportunity to explore performance, athlete and season planning. Other subject areas covered by the programme are skill acquisition, session design and deepening the understanding of the coach and athlete pathway philosophy and the responsibilities of the coaches within it.
The Focus Coaching Programme is a UK Coaching development offer intended to support coaches to better understand their coaching practice, with a focus on performance planning, coaching behaviour, practice design and goal setting.
Read more about the FOCUS programme
SAFEGUARD EVENT WELFARE OFFICER COURSE
For any other SafeGuard Course queries, please contact Anna Ronzino. Welfare Course Descriptions can be found here.
SAFEGUARD CORE COURSE
SafeGuard Core- is a bespoke safeguarding training course designed for Coaches, Club Welfare Officers, Team Managers who need to renew their safeguarding certificates. Learn more.
Before choosing a course make sure it is the right one for you and the environments you are working in. Welfare Training Requirements.
Coaches based in Scotland should attend Child Wellbeing and Protection in sport (CWPS) training delivered by sportscotland.
Course Type : Online (Via Zoom)
Price: £30
Note: If your current certificate expires before the course date you intend to book, please let us know via [email protected] so that we can extend the date of the current training, ensuring you do not fall off the relevant Register.
Please note that the number of spaces left will update in real-time and so full courses may have spaces become available if people inform us they can no longer attend. So please keep checking back.
For any other SafeGuard Course queries, please contact Anna Ronzino. Welfare Course Descriptions can be found here.
SAFEGUARD WELFARE OFFICER COURSE
SafeGuard Welfare Officer Training – is a course designed for people who have a designated role in safeguarding within a fencing setting (Club Welfare Officer). CWOs will need to complete the Core training in order to be fully registered. Learn more.
Before choosing a course make sure it is the right one for you and the environments you are working in. Welfare Training Requirements.
Those based in Scotland should attend sportscotland Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport Training (CWP) training delivered by sportscotland and sportscotland Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer Training (CWPO).
Course Type : Online (Via Zoom)
Price: £30
Note: If your current certificate expires before the course date you intend to book, please let us know via [email protected] so that we can extend the date of the current training, ensuring you do not fall off the relevant Register.
Once your booking has been confirmed you will receive an automated email from smartsheet with the zoom link. Please check your spam folders if you do not have this within one week of sign-up.
2025 CALENDAR
For any other SafeGuard Course queries, please contact Anna Ronzino. Welfare Course Descriptions can be found here.
ARMOURY COURSES
Armoury Course 12th October and 16th November 2025
Venue: Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1NB.
Dates: 12 October 2025 and 16 November 2025
Times: 09:30-11:30
West Midlands Region Fencing are running Armoury Courses to help fencers, parents, coaches or anyone who would like to know more. It will be run by Roger Simmonds who not only coaches, but also looks after the armoury for Birmingham Fencing Club and is on the armoury team at Birmingham International Fencing Tournament.
Maximum of 12 candidates per course.
Items covered: How your weapon works. Caring for your weapon. Things that usually go wrong. Troubleshooting on piste. Material rules, weight testing. Bodywire issues. Clothing issues.
Course Fee: £10 per candidate
Contact details: Richard Burn Tel: 07967 267663
REFEREE COURSES - INTRODUCTION
Level 2 refereeing courses are managed by the Home Countries. When BF is informed of any courses, they will be published here. To promote and register your Level 2 refereeing course, please complete this form.
Level 3 and 4 assessments are held at identified competitions. Further information about Level 3 assessments can be found here, and Level 4 here. To register your interest in the Level 3 process, please complete the application form here.
LEVEL 2 - REFEREE THEORY & PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS
Date: 17th May 2025
Time: 1pm-4pm
Venue: Salle Ossian Fencing Club, Friarton Road, Unit 4, Perth, PH2 8DF
Cost:£10 charged through EventBrite:
Assessor: Sam McLellan
Information: This is an opportunity to learn about sabre refereeing, and gain a British Fencing Level 2 theory qualification, at Salle Ossian Fencing Club. The course will be led by FIE referee, Sam McLellan, who will present a seminar on the rules of fencing, the qualities and acumen of referees, and detailed analyses of high-level actions in sabre. The seminar will be followed by an online theory exam.
Candidates should familiarise themselves with the FIE Technical rulebook, and Article t.170 (offences and penalties) ahead of the seminar: https://fie.org/fie/documents/rules
All participants should bring a device which can scan QR codes in order to take the exam, and must know their British Fencing membership number.
More detailed information about the Level 2 exam structure can be found on British Fencing’s ‘Referee Zone’: https://www.britishfencing.com/members/referees-zone/referee-education-resources/regional-referee-level-2-referee/
Queries can be sent to Sam at: [email protected]
Please note that candidates must be at least 12 years old to sit the exam.”
Date: 22nd May 2025
Time: 6-10pm
Venue: Online
Cost: £20
Assessor: Chris Farren
Information: Level 2 foil theory referee course. Free practical assessment available at The Youth Series event in Liverpool on the 25th May.
Liverpool Youth Series
Organiser: Beth Cranston-Selby
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07834884194
Date: 22nd May 2025
Time: 6-10pm
Venue: Online
Cost: £20
Assessor: Chris Farren
Information: Level 2 epee theory referee course. Free practical assessment available at The Youth Series event in Liverpool on the 25th May.
Liverpool Youth Series
Organiser: Beth Cranston-Selby
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07834884194
Level 2 theory sabre referee course. Free practical assessment available at The Youth Series event in Liverpool on the 25th May.
Date: 22nd May 2025
Time: 6-10pm
Venue: Online
Cost: £20
Assessor: Chris Farren
Information: Level 2 sabre theory referee course. Free practical assessment available at The Youth Series event in Liverpool on the 25th May.
Organiser: Beth Cranston-Selby
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07834884194
Participants must be a member of BF and over 16 years old. They must also hold a level 2 epee theory pass to participate in the practical assessment. Please wear smart clothes for the practical assessment.
Date: 25th May 2025
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Body and Mind Gym, North Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L18 8BG
Cost: £0
Practical Assessor: Chris Farren
Information: This level 2 referee practical assessment day is taking place at The Youth Series on the 25th May in Liverpool. Assessments are available for those who have passed their level 2 theory exam in the specific weapon of foil, epee or sabre. N.B. Only one weapon practical assessment can take place on the same day.
Start: 9am.
Candidates need to arrive 15 minutes before the start time in comfortable smart clothing. Food and refreshments will be provided.
Organiser: Beth Cranston-Selby
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07834884194
Level 2 Foil Theory & Practical Assessment
Date: Theory and Exam – Sunday 5 October 2025
Practical – Sunday 12 October 2025
Time: TBC
Venue: Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1NB
Cost: £20
Practical & Theory Assessor: Lynne Melia
Information: Website Link
Organiser: Richard Burn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07967 267663
Level 2 Epee Theory & Practical Assessment
Date: Theory and Exam – Sunday 9 November 2025
Practical – Sunday 16 November 2025
Time: TBC
Venue: Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1NB
Cost: £20
Practical & Theory Assessor: Lynne Melia
Information: Website Link
Organiser: Richard Burn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07967 267663
LEVEL 3 – REFEREE THEORY & PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS
Date: Saturday 19th April
Men’s Foil check-in closes by 9.00am
Women’s Foil check-in closes by 11.00am
Men’s Sabre check-in closes by 1.30pm
Sunday 20th April
Men’s Epee check-in closes by 9.00am
Women’s Epee check-in closes by 11.30am
Women’s Sabre check-in closes by 1.30pm
Times: 8.30am for referee briefing on both days (to be confirmed by the head referee).
Venue: University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT
Weapons and level: All Weapons Level 2, Level 3, Level 3+ and Foil Development Level 3.
Remuneration: If an invited referee comes to the Birmingham International Fencing Tournament, for both days, ONLY to referee, they will be paid a day rate PLUS expenses, including travel. Accommodation expenses will ONLY be covered where the invited referee is covering BOTH days. Accommodation for the Saturday night will be covered if booked at either the Apollo or the Ibis Budget Birmingham Centre. If accommodation is needed for the Friday night please contact the organisers to see if this can be arranged. Dedicated referees will receive a variable day-rate depending on their qualifications (FIE – £75, Level 4 – £65, Level 3 – £55, Level 2 – £45) Travel expenses will be paid as follows: Standard class rail travel will be covered at cost. We expect refs to book in advance to minimise costs. Fuel costs will be recompensed at 35p per mile We will also provide Costa vouchers for food and drink on the day. If a fencer referees after they are knocked out, we will refund their entry fee; this should be by prior agreement with the organisers.
Refreshments: Vouchers
Contact: Claudia Fogl 07719769052
Other Information: We will be hosting a practical assessment. Please contact Evie Millar for details.
LEVEL 4 (MOCK FIE) REFEREE ASSESSMENTS
Upcoming assessments will be posted here.
LOOKING FOR A COURSE NOT LISTED HERE?
If the course you need is not listed here, please fill out a short Expression of Interest form. Letting us know about your interest helps us plan courses where they are most demanded, and you will be contacted as soon as the relevant training is available in your area.
OTHER COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE WORKFORCE REGISTERS
Guidance on other courses that are required as minimum standard for the BF Workforce Registers can be found on the following pages:
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