All future RYC/SYC events cancelled!

[oiuyt]

As posted on the YDC website:

March 31, 2006

Effective immediately the RYC system is hereby suspended.

In an effort to help streamline US Fencing offerings, the Executive Committee and the YDC have decided to suspend all planned and future RYC and SYC tournaments until future notice. Ongoing discussions will determine whether or not the USFA mission is being advanced by promoting competition in the youth age groups.

Multiple recent studies have found that high-stakes competition is neither healthy nor the best method of developing young athletes. These studies have ranged across a number of sports, including gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, and tennis, and have involved as many as 940 athletes being tracked for periods as long as a decade.

"Really kids that age shouldn't be competing. It's better if they just practice in their local club environment for several year as their bodies and minds mature." says USFA Executive Director Michael Massik.

The YDC recognizes that this decision will come as a surprise to many athletes, coaches, and parents, especially coming so late in the fencing season. It is hoped that undue hardship will not be placed on any families that had plans to travel or compete in events between now and July, when a final determination of the future status of the RYC/SYC program will be made. Originally it had been hoped that this announcement could be made prior to the registration deadline for the upcoming NAC in Sacramento, but administrative delays made that impossible. In light of the non-refundable nature of many people's travel plans the NAC will still be held as scheduled. This is currently projected to be the final Y10, Y12, and Y14 events conducted by the USFA.

Please submit all questions or comments to the YDC via this form.

Thank you.
Youth Development Committee

[fencerontheline]

Haha, nice brad

[yomi]

i highly doubt that.....

[Mauler]

Sadly, it has come to this....

Last couple of weeks has been very hectic and chaotic in the administration circles of the USFA. Among many other reasons, this very issue of suspending RYC activities. I was really hoping that this, just like dozens of other "rumors" every season, would go away. But overgrown sense of protectiveness of our children has had an upper hand. I hope the irrational fear will subside in time, and YDC will once again resume its efforts which has brought wonderful effects in American fencing.

[yeoldearmourer]

You had me going on this one Brad good going

[fencergal33]

Damn......I forgot it was April 1st. Nice

[Amadeus]

mauler's was better.

[Bill the Blade]

I told my 10 year old that we would not be competing any longer, and he challenged me to a Halo 2 tournament for 10 bucks if I put up the cash. Then some of my students 7, 8, 9, 10 challenged me that if they could make it through footwork I had to do 100 pushups and if I caught them in Simon says that they would do 20. They were very upset and competitive with me. Then all of the kids got into a Yu-Gi-Oh tournament.

Several of my students came back from baseball because their managers had been suspended for fighting over the rules with the umps, (not kidding - this happened in a league I was coaching 8 year olds before I took up the gentle sport of fencing).

Finally, several of the more aggressive youth are racing to Colorado Springs. There was something about fencing Michael Massik, and they sounded pretty confident. The race was the first one to get there would get first shot. I am glad they can't subject themselves to the stress of fencing.