You are correct - to attend a SRYC or YNAC the fencer must have already competed in an RYC level event. However, the current USFA qualifying path for Summer Nationals is RYC, SRYC or NAC. The value of the SRYC and the NAC is to award points to the youth fencers - now that's an area I might want to see eliminated - I definitely have mixed feelings about having a national point list for Y10 or Y12 - pros and cons both ways - but I have talked with a lot of parents who love to let you know that their child is #X on the point list.
I dont think this is correct. Attending a single RYC or SRYC does qualify a kid for a Y10/Y12 event at the SN. But thats it. Anyone in those divisions can participate in a YNAC or a SRYC as their very 1st competition if they want. My kids have done both without attending a RYC.
I think the national points list is a nice little bonus for kids who have been working hard. Its also a fairly attainable goal for most semi-serious youth fencers that cant make the top 8 and come home with medals. Recognition by the governing body of the kids working hard at the sport is a good thing.
I dont think this is correct. Attending a single RYC or SRYC does qualify a kid for a Y10/Y12 event at the SN. But thats it. Anyone in those divisions can participate in a YNAC or a SRYC as their very 1st competition if they want. My kids have done both without attending a RYC.
I think the national points list is a nice little bonus for kids who have been working hard. Its also a fairly attainable goal for most semi-serious youth fencers that cant make the top 8 and come home with medals. Recognition by the governing body of the kids working hard at the sport is a good thing.
You must attend an RYC or SRYC to attend a YNAC. We missed our local RYC this past fall and the one for Nationals came after the Sac NAC so my 10 year old could not fence at Sacramento because he had not been to an RYC this season. There may be an exception for points.
To enter the Y10 or Y12 events at the USFA Sacramento NAC, the athlete must be either on the USFA Point Standings for the age group or have participated in an SYC or RYC in a particular weapon event. Please indicate on the NAC Entry Form which SYC or RYC that the athlete attended to fulfill this prerequisite. Y14 athletes are not required to attend an SYC or RYC as a prerequisite for NAC F in Sacramento if they meet the birth year or Point Standings criteria. For more detailed information please email: christine.simmons@usfencing.org
Slim,
In the past your kids may have fenced the SRYC or NAC without the RYC - but this past season it was mandatory (as noted by Passata sotto) - I know of several New England youth fencers who missed the ONLY RYC (Valley Forge in the fall) in the area that was held prior to NACF (Sacramento) and ended up traveling to Florida or other places to get their RYC requirment in. This happened as many parents were under the assumption they could just go to the NAC without the pre-requisite. The USFA youth development committee is trying to create a more structured pathway for the youth fencers and give them more experiences with other higher level youth.
Otherwise - I feel that if the youth events are offered and sponsored at the summer nationals - then the youth deserve their "national championship" as much as the Div III's do - or most any other group for that matter. Why should the age bracket determine whether it is a "championship" or not?
Slim,
In the past your kids may have fenced the SRYC or NAC without the RYC - but this past season it was mandatory (as noted by Passata sotto) - I know of several New England youth fencers who missed the ONLY RYC (Valley Forge in the fall) in the area that was held prior to NACF (Sacramento) and ended up traveling to Florida or other places to get their RYC requirment in. This happened as many parents were under the assumption they could just go to the NAC without the pre-requisite. The USFA youth development committee is trying to create a more structured pathway for the youth fencers and give them more experiences with other higher level youth.
Otherwise - I feel that if the youth events are offered and sponsored at the summer nationals - then the youth deserve their "national championship" as much as the Div III's do - or most any other group for that matter. Why should the age bracket determine whether it is a "championship" or not?
Yes, I see now. You are indeed correct. Sorry. I can kinda see this for a YNAC, but even for a super? Is this something that's going to continue going forward?
Why do people believe that it is the USFA's responsibility to act as parent police? Yes, there are innapropriate parents of youth fencers. No, doing away with a good event will not make these parents better.
Y10 fencing is good for some young fencers, and bad for others. Just because it's bad for some doesn't mean we should ruin it for all of them.
I really agree with the people asking "why does this bother you?"
But, maybe that's just my overly pessimistic view of it. A more positive view I guess would be the fact that it does do them a lot of good to get to fence kids their own age and such.
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