specialty clubs.....

[alexsmom]

Some clubs specialize in one type of blade, others in two or three. If I were a two blade club and put on a local tournament, why do I and my associates feel able to referee the third blade, which we do not participate in and has a different set of rules? The point is, this happens all too often to the detriment of the participants, many who are too young and immature to understand the "economics" and "politics".....just my meager thoughts but a very serious issue.

[brtech]

There is a fair amount of difference between the ability to coach a weapon and the ability to direct a bout in that weapon. There are many very qualified 2 or 3 weapon directors that can't coach some of those weapons worth beans.

Clubs specialize for all kinds of reasons. I don't think that should limit what kinds of tournaments they run. However, there should be qualified directors for all weapons fenced.

Of course, in our division, we have someone (who is well qualified) designated to approve the directors for any division sanctioned event. The organizers hire the directors, but we have some control on the qualifications.

[oso97]

Well, to be honest, it entirely depends upon the specifics of which weapons you are referring to, the participants in question, and their refereeing credentials.

Can a coach or fencer who specializes in one weapon referee others? Heck yes! Can they do it with a high degree of skill? Most certainly!

But you're talking about two seperate issues - the ability to referee a particular weapon, and the ability to run a tournament with an event in that weapon. These are two distinct and seperate issues.

My club is a sabre only club, but yet we've run some very well attended three weapon tournaments. But, we hired the appropriate referees for these events.

[pacer]

Our division has many one or two weapon clubs, however all take turns in hosting tournaments, particularly since they are a source of revenue. We did end up enacting a standard for refs at local tournaments and keep a list of division members who qualify. This came after a few too many complaints about improper right of way calls, etc. However, there has been no problem running events 'outside' a club's emphasized weapon(s).