fencing clubs

[jazonik]

Hi everybody,

I'm from Poland. I'm 15 years old & I was started train fencing since that summer :-)

There is one problam, that I want tell You. In Poland is one big problem with fencing - money. My club is new, because it have 2 years. But I can't understand one thing, why anybody can give some money for start of new club??!! I know, that fencing is expensive, but nobody can help. ;-( I can't stand it. Company's have so much money & they can't buy 2 foils or jackets or something, that we can use to fight. Why??

But, I want only know how is with money in other countries?? In Poland sponsoring are only for clubs with champions... (I don't understand it...);-(

[lochinvar]

I sympathize with your problem, jazonik. However, money is a problem in every country for fencing. At least, that's what I hear.

Here in the USA, there are perhaps sponsors for the top fencers, but none for anyone else that I know of. Everyone pays for his or her own stuff, and it becomes difficult. I don't know of a single club that is sponsored by any company or organization.

Sadly, there is no money for fencing here except what comes out of our own pockets.

[Nusy]

Hi,
Also I live in Central Europe, in Hungary and the situation is all the same. I have to buy everything... BTW - last time I bought some Polish blades
But head's up, fencing is fun even if you have to pay for your equipment

[esskreemr]

Our club is lucky. It has existed for about 30 years. The University supports it as a club sport. Our sponsor is the Dean of Physical Education so they let us use the equipment that they purchase for the class.

Still we only get 1 day a week and haven't really been able to get anything solid going. It at least keep fencing alive in my town but I want more...

[Zilverzmurfen]

I think the others said it quite well. I think this is connected to the (status of?) our sport rather than to a specific country. I'm sorry to say but I think you'll have to rely on christmas presents and the similar for your fencing equipment...

By the way, where in Poland are you?
Do you know if there's any fencing in - or close to - Kolobrzeg / Koszalin?

[The Armourer]

'lochinvar' really has summed it up. When my eldest son went to his first World Championship the only free item was a badge to put on the special tracksuit (that you had to buy). It's not got any better - as a parent of two fencers I know how much the sport depends on 'goodwill'. I wish you well for your club - perhaps an equipment supplier will see these posts and help you out in some way. I hope Pere Noel is kind to your club.

[fence1848]

Hello,
If you are looking for a good reason, esskreemr had a good point. There are 2 types organizations that will actually fund their fencer's equipment for them - national teams and college/university clubs. Both fund equipment for fencers for the same reason - to have club members represent their organization. National teams are funded to show that country's success in the sport. College/university teams are funded to represent their school at intercollegiate meets. They are also the only organizations funded well enough to provide equipment for their fencers.

As for why other clubs do not provide electric equipment - it is a matter of mechanics and cost. Many clubs provide the basic equipment for dry fencing - mask, jacket, dry foil - because it lasts longer and does not need repair often. Electric weapons are mechanical and need repair often. Scoring machines and their equipment are extraordinarily expensive (especially a grounded strip!). Metal lames will develop corosion. Furthermore, improper handling by club members can make these things break down even faster.

Lastly, there is the issue of health concerns. Last year there was a case of about 5 fencers coming down with the same illness because they shared their equipment. Fencers sweat a lot and sharing equipment means sharing sweat as well. It is healthier and safer to have your own equipment, that is designed to fit you.

[JackSparrow]

In England you can always ask the national lottery for money. You apply for it through Sport England:
http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding.htm
This year they are putting 10.5 million into sport in general. Only a tiny fraction of that will go into fencing, but it's still great for sport in this country. I see it as the only redeeming feature of something that I otherwise regard as the 'stupid tax'.

[jazonik]

In my country universities aren't sponsors like in USA or England ;-(

But I think it's not fair, that when club have person in for example "national group", then sponsors are everywhere & fight for this person, but when club is new & had already started, then there is no one person, who can help...

[Zilverzmurfen]

...nothing on fencing in north west of Poland..? Feel free to PM me!

(I tried searching for it on the Polish Fencing Federation website but didn't find anything. And my polish isn't very good so it's a bit hard for me to sort out info...)

[VELISARIOS]

Hello jazonik,
we have the same 'promblem' as you said our sport is expencive. Here the top athlets has sponsors the others take the equipment alone.

[jazonik]

Of course, if there is a sponsor somewhere & "the sponsor" will read this post, please contact wih me on PM :-P I know, it's silly, but maybe someone want give his money for polish fencing :-)

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Money doesnt grow on tree's. Learning to tough out the fact that you dont get the equipment you want, coaching you need, competent opponents or enough days per week to fence is part of getting good. Its a rough sport, and your true opponent is your wallet and your clock. Suck it up man, and be assimilated.

[Craig]

Company's have so much money & they can't buy 2 foils or jackets or something, that we can use to fight. Why??

But, I want only know how is with money in other countries?? In Poland sponsoring are only for clubs with champions... (I don't understand it...);-(

The companies are not set up to better the sport of XX for the populace of the country but to make a profit to benefit the owners and shareholders.

To get sponsorship, you need to show the comany why they should sponsor you. Why is that dollar spent sponsoring your club a better investment than the dollar spent on an advertisement in the newspaper?

Sponsoring the top clubs and established champions makes sense. The company can associate their product and brand with a winner. The risk involved is minimal. Spending that money on an unproven fencer who may or may not accomplish anything in the year is a much harder sell.

So, what are you going to provide to the sponsor aside from a thank you note? How is their sponsorship going to benefit the company? How will you help to promote them and boost their sales/profits in exchange for the investment in the fencing club?

Put together a good sales packet with the benefits to the company and start selling them on it. You'll get told no about 100 times for each yes you earn.

Cheers,
Craig

[Alain]

The companies are not set up to better the sport of XX for the populace of the country but to make a profit to benefit the owners and shareholders.

To get sponsorship, you need to show the comany why they should sponsor you. Why is that dollar spent sponsoring your club a better investment than the dollar spent on an advertisement in the newspaper?

Sponsoring the top clubs and established champions makes sense. The company can associate their product and brand with a winner. The risk involved is minimal. Spending that money on an unproven fencer who may or may not accomplish anything in the year is a much harder sell.

So, what are you going to provide to the sponsor aside from a thank you note? How is their sponsorship going to benefit the company? How will you help to promote them and boost their sales/profits in exchange for the investment in the fencing club?

Put together a good sales packet with the benefits to the company and start selling them on it. You'll get told no about 100 times for each yes you earn.

Cheers,
Craig

Spot on. Jazonik, your club needs to show potential sponsors that their investment will be worthwhile, and before you look to approach a potential sponsor it may be worth considering how to market yourselves. My club in England has a sponsorship deal with an equipment supplier - for every member that joins our club, they are automatically enrolled into the equipment supllier's discount scheme. The same company also pays 10% towards all our tracksuits, which come with their logo embroidered. In both cases, our club/members benefit from the sponsorship, but at the same time our sponsor gets a good customer base and advertisement.

Best of luck and have a Merry Christmas.

[BoutAfrica]

well you guys have it easy. Were i come from people dont even sponsor the top athletes in most sports. plus we live too far away to compete more than once a year.

by the way, any one seen the Japanese team? there whole tracksuit is covered with sponors logos. I heard that they are the most sponsored country in the world.