Opening a High School Club.

[die Fechterin]

I, along with the support of my fencing club, am thinking about reopening the fencing club in the district where I went to high school. Right now it looks like I am going to be the only coach at my club able to teach these kids so far.

The thing about my former high school is that its very much into politics (which may prove a problem) and "extra weight" employees (a.k.a. 6 administrators when having 1 was just fine). The director and assist-director of my club, both very good friends of mine have put together a package to give to the high school and are going to help me.

The high schools used to have a fencing club, but it disbanded about 7 years ago (2 yrs before I started HS). I don't know what happened, who was coaching, or why it disbanded but I am extremely passionate about getting this sport back into my former school system.

My questions are: Has anyone here done this before? Was it successful? What were some of your problems getting started? ...I have a few more, but I'll present those later.

[suterces]

It doesn't seem very clear in your post whether you're trying to reopen a club in the area, or a high school club team.

I didn't actively open back a high school club, but I've seen high school clubs close down and few re-opened.
The problem was usually either a.) The coach left and they can't/don't bothered to find a new coach or b.) The school is cutting funding.
So good for you for taking the first step in trying to re-open the club!

One obvious problem with opening a club is cost. Especially if you're going to teach high school kids that never fenced before, they're not going to have any of their own equipment. You mentioned that the high schools used to have a fencing club - do you know if the equipments are still around?
Another problem is finding space. Again I don't know exactly what kind of club you're opening, and if you're looking into finding a place at a local high school, or renting out a place somewhere.

[die Fechterin]

I'm reopening a high school "team" club. Schools in my state, I don't believe, recognize fencing as a HS sport so we're stuck with making a team out of club memebers without school financial aid or support.

As far as places to practice, we will be practicing at the club where I fence and teach now. They have equipment there which the kids will be able to use. I don't believe the HSs have any of their own gear but that's not much of a problem right off the bat. For finances, kids will have to become USFA members and pay an additional club fee. What that will cost exactly, I don't know, but if there are kids genuinely willing and wanting to learn how to fence, I'm going to work my arse off to make sure they can.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

I'm reopening a high school "team" club. Schools in my state, I don't believe, recognize fencing as a HS sport so we're stuck with making a team out of club memebers without school financial aid or support.

As far as places to practice, we will be practicing at the club where I fence and teach now. They have equipment there which the kids will be able to use.

So you're really just running a beginner class for HS kids at your local fencing club? Nothing hard or tricky about that... enjoy.

Why even care about the business of the HS?

[Philistine]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

So you're really just running a beginner class for HS kids at your local fencing club? Nothing hard or tricky about that... enjoy.

Why even care about the business of the HS?

I'm a little confused about that, too.

What's the point of calling it a high-school club if all activites will take place off-site? Is it that you think you'll get more involved if it's a school-club?

--Philistine

[RITFencing]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

Why even care about the business of the HS?

There could be several reasons... she could be looking for the school to provide transportation to and from the club, pay fees for the kids, help recruit kids, or provide equipment. That's just off the top of my head.

Not saying it's definately the way to go, but there are plausible reasons and benefits to having the HS involved.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by RITFencing

There are plausible reasons and benefits to having the HS involved.

Sure... but...

Originally Posted by Fechterina

Schools in my state, I don't believe, recognize fencing as a HS sport so we're stuck with making a team out of club memebers without school financial aid or support.

Emphasis mine...

Sounds like there are some political issues at the school... why involve them at all...

[RITFencing]

My mistake; I missed that. I'd have to suggest that not involving the HS at all may be the way to go, then. That's what was done in the NM HS fencing league, which was really run by the clubs in the area. Interestingly, despite he low numbers (epee only, 5 boys teams and 4 girls teams) some of the fencing there wasn't half bad, because all the kids already got lessons at said clubs. If you want more info about how it was run, I can, via PM, furnish email addresses of the organizers.

[die Fechterin]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

So you're really just running a beginner class for HS kids at your local fencing club? Nothing hard or tricky about that... enjoy.

Why even care about the business of the HS?

It's not just a beginning class for High Schoolers. There are several high schools throughout Ohio that have fencing teams using the club format because the HSs will not give fencing a spot on the actual list of "High School Sports". The reason I'm trying to get it to be a part of the school as a club is because, in Ohio, we actually have Ohio High School tournaments and an Ohio HS Championship. The participants of the club will be a team but we won't be recognized by the school as a team, just a club.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

It's not just a beginning class for High Schoolers. There are several high schools throughout Ohio that have fencing teams using the club format because the HSs will not give fencing a spot on the actual list of "High School Sports". The reason I'm trying to get it to be a part of the school as a club is because, in Ohio, we actually have Ohio High School tournaments and an Ohio HS Championship. The participants of the club will be a team but we won't be recognized by the school as a team, just a club.

I think it is in your best interest to get on the phone with the AD of the HS, and with the organizers of the Ohio HS Championships. Find out what the real situation is and what the conditions of participation will be... until then you're just running around like a chicken with its head chopped off... you can't set goals and programming until you uncover the real external constraints and regulations...

Take a deep breath... and get ready for a lot of work.

Do that, and I promise to help you in any way possible.

[die Fechterin]

I have a plan. I have help from the Director and Assistant Director of my club. My head's not cut off yet.

Initially what I wanted to know was if anyone on fencing.net has done this before (either re-opened or opened a HS fencing team-club), if it was successful, and what were some of the problems they ran into early on in the process?

I pretty much have a guideline for how I'm going about it (it helps that there are lots of lawyers in the fencing community and one runs my club.) I just wanted to know what others who have been in a similar situation had to deal/fight with.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

I have a plan. I have help from the Director and Assistant Director of my club. My head's not cut off yet.

Um... is either of these people involved with the administration of the HS or the Ohio HS fencing championships? I'm not sure I understand... what they have to do with the situation? I'm still not seeing the importance of linking your HS program to a school that you suspect will not support the program in any way.

have you pitched your "plan" to the HS yet?

Is affiliation with a particular HS required to compete in the Ohio HS tournament?

[die Fechterin]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

have you pitched your "plan" to the HS yet?

No, not yet. Will be withing the next week or so before the season starts.

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

Is affiliation with a particular HS required to compete in the Ohio HS tournament?

Yes


Also, if it's through the school, it gets fencing more into the public eye, which is something, as far as I've observed, desired.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

Yes

Is this the event you are wanting kids to enter?

Link

[die Fechterin]

That's one of 'em.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

That's one of 'em.

Well... it says that it's open to ALL Ohio HS students... even homeschoolers.

Doesn't look like there is a school affiliation/endorsement requirement.

[die Fechterin]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

Well... it says that it's open to ALL Ohio HS students... even homeschoolers.

Doesn't look like there is a school affiliation/endorsement requirement.

You don't need HS affiliation/endorsement, but it helps. It also makes it easier to recruit kids and it gives the kids a common goal to work for.

Eventually I may want to get some financial support from the school and then the club will have to be a part of the HS. Why not establish a good relationship with the HS now instead of waiting til I need the aid? I'm pretty much using the exact same format as the Dublin Sciota school in the link posted earlier.

AND if you have a club-team that does well and has a good program, then, in a few years, the school might consider making Fencing one of the "official" HS sports. But that's in the hopeful future.

But first and foremost I'm just looking to get kids into fencing. And doing it through the schools is the easiest and best way. I have no agenda for any kid who joins other than to introduce them in the fencing world and hope and help them fall in love with the sport.

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

You don't need HS affiliation/endorsement, but it helps.

This directly contradicts what you said a moment ago... but ignoring that, have you also checked into the specific state rules regarding coaching at a HS level? These vary significantly from state-to-state... again... the solution is as simple as calling your HS AD and asking a few questions.

Here's one heads up. Also take a look at some information from the NASPE.

Originally Posted by fechterina

And doing it through the schools is the easiest and best way.

That's a mighty big assumption.

And because my Google is feeling pretty strong today!

Ohio High School Athletic Association

Coaching Education
Welcome Ohio coaches! Numerous state high school associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), currently use ASEP Professional Coaches Education Program Bronze Level courses in qualifying high school coaches. Each year, more than 25,000 coaches across the country are credentialed through ASEP’s Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid courses.

The OHSAA currently offers Sport First Aid Classroom courses.

To take the Sport First Aid Classroom course, OHSAA coaches can contact the OHSAA for a schedule of clinics or search ASEP’s Classroom Course Finder.


Contact Information
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Coaching Education contact: Dan Ross
Officials Education contact: Henry Zaborniak, Jr.
4080 Roselea Place
Columbus, OH 43214-3070
Phone: (614) 267-2502
Fax: (614) 267-1677
Email: hzaborniak@ohsaa.org
Web: www.ohsaa.org

[Phaeton]

Originally Posted by die Fechterin

The school might consider making Fencing one of the "official" HS sports. But that's in the hopeful future.

The school or even the district most likely lacks the authority to make fencing an official sport in terms of getting any funding or PE credit through that vein. As a club the school may be able to allow the club to do fundraising, give it a bit of cash, and charge dues, but most likely benifits in terms of special priviliges stop there.

Official sports are listed in:
http://www.ohsaa.org/

Starting a fencing club at a school is a good way to get people intrested in the sport and give people something they can do for the rest of their lives. It is also a good way to recruit club members.

The good news is if there are clubs in your state then the precidint has possibly been set that fencing blades do not violate any "no weapons on campus" laws. If not, you can always speak with the district's saftey supervisor and explain thoroughly and you should be fine...