Need help starting high school fencing club

[Leo B.]

A whole bunch of people at my school want to start a fencing club, but we have no idea on how to do it. Our school is a public school with not alot of money, so we would have to raise all the money for this club. I could really use some help or suggestions. Thanxs

[aamct2]

If you really have a whole bunch of people, you ought to get a good starting fund from membership dues. Fund raising over the course of the school year will also help with that. If possible, you could ask people to buy their own equipment (a beginner's set can be purchased for less than $100).

You should also try and find some people who know how to fence in your area. Even better would be a coach, but an experienced fencer could help you get on your feet too. Where exactly are you? People reading this forum may be able to help put you in touch with fencers in your area.

Being in High School means that you can usually get at least a few parents willing to help organize things. This can take care of a lot of the tedious bits of running a club.

Good luck!

~aamct2

http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/fencing/

[drysabre]

A whole bunch of people at my school want to start a fencing club, but we have no idea on how to do it. Our school is a public school with not alot of money, so we would have to raise all the money for this club. I could really use some help or suggestions. Thanxs

Good question: where are you? As a coach, I am very interested in high school programs, and I am very happy to hear that there are many people who like like fencing.

[akaiyuki]

If you really have a whole bunch of people, you ought to get a good starting fund from membership dues. Fund raising over the course of the school year will also help with that. If possible, you could ask people to buy their own equipment (a beginner's set can be purchased for less than $100).

That would be extremely difficult for a public high school club/team. Public high school teams generally involve no membership dues, and nobody would be willing to purchase their own equipment until they're tried fencing for awhile. ($100 is a lot to public school kids and parents). This means that it will be ideal if you can start off with a few set of club equipments.

I am assuming you want to use your high school's facilities. First thing you can do is get everyone that you know who wants to start a club/team sign a petition. Get some teachers to sign it too. Then prepare to talk to your athletic director about the possibility of starting a team (after all, without his/her approval, nothing can be done). If the school grants your team status, that's also where you will/should get your first set of funding to purchase any equipments to get your team started. You want to do some research before you talk to your athletic director so he/she will be impressed with your proposal:
- Is there a high school fencing league/conference in your area?
- How would you go about finding coaches? Are there already candidates interested in the coaching job?
- You might have to explain how fencing is not dangerous. Do some research on the safety of the sport and be prepared to talk about how the fencing equipment will protect the fencers. If you know any fencers, perhaps you can bring him/her along so he/she can answer any fencing related questions.

Good luck.

[aamct2]

A lot of sports in high school require you to buy your own equipment. How much does a set of golf clubs cost to be on the golf team? What about baseball shoes, sliders, bats, and balls? Soccer shoes, shin guards, half a dozen socks, and a ball? Or how about those new shoes every year for basketball, and a ball to practice with at home?

Even if you don't use all of that come game time, you're generally expected to have it for practices. Those might not always be $100 per sport, but it's definitely a sizable amount. Have the student raise the rest.

I'm not saying there aren't exceptions, but you'd be surprised at just how much high school students and/or their parents pay in the end.