The British Academy of Fencing

The British Fencing Association

The British Fencing Association
and
The British Academy of Fencing

BAF/BFA Liaison Officer: Prof. Peter Northam

BAF - BFA Relations

As you will no doubt have read in previous editions, there have been considerable discussions concerning our members becoming listed on the BFA Coaching Register. Our recent AGM decided that our members should apply individually and directly to BFA. To that end and in line with BFA policy, should you wish to be listed on the BFA Coaching Register, it will be necessary for you to comply with the following:

Pay the membership fee as required by BFA

Provide a copy of your coaching qualifications

Provide certification for each the following:
-- Enhanced CRB clearance certificate, not older than 3 months, issued by either a school, the BFA or the Academy.
-- Attendance of the "The Sportscoach UK workshop - Safeguarding and Protection of Children" formally known as Coaching and Good Practise Course as recommended by the NSPCC.
-- A first aid qualification

Time frame - 6 months to complete the above

Note:
Should you have any questions concerning the requirements of or the process of registration, then please contact:

BFA HQ: Tel: 020 8742 3032, fax: 020 8742 3033, Email: enquiries@britishfencing.com

Applying to join the BFA Coaching Register is not mandatory and in no way does it affect your membership of the Academy. You need not therefore relinquish your Academy membership

England - refer to www.englandfencing.co.uk or contact Administrator - Pippa Graham or Jan Jukes admin@englandfencing.org.uk

Northern Ireland - contact Mike Westgate, nationalcoach@nifu.co.uk

Scotland - refer to www.scottish-fencing.com or contact email: admin@scottish-fencing.com, Telephone: 0131 453 9074 Fax: 0131 453 9079

Wales - refer to www.welshfencing.org or contact Peter Stewart 02920 371844 or peter.stewart17@btinternet.com .

Note:
Applying to join a Home Country Coaching Register is not mandatory and in no way does it affect your membership of the Academy. You need not therefore relinquish your Academy membership

British Academy of Fencing
The British Fencing Association and/or England Fencing
Coach Education and Qualification

Following a meeting at Bristol between Keith Smith, Peter Northam, Neil Brown and myself, there has been considerable email traffic, resulting from which a number of inconsistencies and inaccuracies have emerged.

In spite of claims made by some (both inside and outside the Academy) I have never said that the Academy would advise our members not to become CRB certified, qualified in First Aid, etc.

However, I am very concerned by the misconception held by some senior administrators within fencing as to the Academy's intentions concerning coach education and qualification.

It has been reported that I have said the Academy has offered to take over coach education. This is not true. On a number of occasions I have said this is not what I would want for the Academy.

I recognise that the education/training of coaches is one of the responsibilities of the national governing body. Therefore, the Academy cannot be the sole body responsible for coach education/training. I also believe that recognising other systems of coach education and qualification, rather than rigidly conforming to one system, can only be to the advantage of fencing in general

What I have offered, during numerous informal meetings with representatives of both the BFA and EF, is for the Academy to

Run courses under the auspices of the BFA and/or EF

Qualify coaches under the system approved by the BFA and/or EF on Academy courses

Be responsible for coach education and qualification for a contracted period of time (say three years).

In essence the Academy could be partners with BFA and/or EF in a service level agreement or contract to be reviewed by both parties from time to time and renewed by mutual agreement.

Provisionally this would mean that:

BFA/EF manage the scheme

The Academy provide the educators and examiners etc

A written formal agreement or contract should be approved between the organisations as to their respective responsibilities

A means of assessing/evaluating the service provided by the Academy relative to the requirements of the other parties would be agreed.

Interestingly enough, I have not received an official or unofficial response to any part of the above offers.

I find all these misconceptions disheartening because the real losers are those who are seeking to improve their teaching/coaching skills and to gain or improve their qualifications.

Philip Bruce
President.

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