JO Qualifier question

[peet]

I know I could probably just go to the Athlete's handbook for the answer to this question, but I think maybe others might be interested in the answer:


As the operator of askFRED.net, I've gotten several requests lately from parents who for various reasons want to "transfer" their preregistration from one JO qualifier tournament to another. Leaving aside the fact that you can't "transfer" a preregistration from one tournament to another in FRED, here's my real question:

Do fencers have a choice of tournaments through which to qualify for JO's??? I know you have no choice for qualifiers to nationals. Does this not also apply to JO's?

thx...

-p

[KD5MDK]

No. They must qualify (if not an autoqualifier) through their division. If they go to school or attend a club in a different division from where they reside, they should join that Division when they send in their USFA membership.

[fencerX]

2.7. What is a Qualifier? General Qualifying Information

A qualifying competition is a competition whereby a specified number of fencers qualify to USFA Championships based on their results. Depending on the event, qualifiers are held by the Division or the Section. Qualifiers are held for the Summer National Championships and the Junior Olympic Fencing Championships.

Qualifying events are restricted to members of the division or section. Below is a list of the current qualifiers:

• Section Qualifying Tournaments: Senior Section Championships (for Division IA) and the Under-19 Section Championships (for U19 at Summer Nationals)

• Division Qualifying Tournaments: Division II/III Qualifying Competition, Under-16 Qualifying Competitions, Youth 14 Qualifying Competitions, Division I Team, Senior Team, and Under-19 team Qualifying Competitions, and Junior and Cadet Junior Olympic FencingChampionships Qualifying Competitions.

If you do not receive a copy of the schedule of competitions in your Division, especially of the competitions required to qualify for Championships, contact one of the Division officers.

2.8

Division membership is determined by where you live, where you go to school, or the location of the club that you represent in competition. When you renew your membership in the USFA, you must state the Division to which you wish to be assigned based on these criteria. That is your Division for the year and the one from which you must qualify to Championship tournaments.

[peet]

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

No. They must qualify (if not an autoqualifier) through their division. If they go to school or attend a club in a different division from where they reside, they should join that Division when they send in their USFA membership.

mmmmkay.

dat'd be wat ah thought. I dunno wat dees folks are tinkin'...


-p

[Chris]

Originally Posted by peet

mmmmkay.

dat'd be wat ah thought. I dunno wat dees folks are tinkin'...


-p

Most of waht has been posted here is pretty much right.
However, there are circumstances that arise that require further elaboration:

Many people live near borders of divisions;
THey might belong to a club in another division...

Generally speaking, you are suuposed to qualify for the events in the division where you live; if you attend a school in another division from your 'permanent' address, you DO HAVE THE OPTION of qualifying through THAT division, OR 'home' division - CAVEAT: No whining about "I can't get home!"

Additionally, there ARE several areas of the country that do not fall under the purview of any division: northern Missouri, greater New Mexico, a chunk of Texas (I beleive), and North Dakota, in its entirety! (maybe a couple more, too...). People living in these places CAN actually choose any neighboring division, or go under 'National Division'.

Additionally, exceptions CAN be requested, and accepted: I know of quite a few people that live just across the Mississippi River, in Wisconsin, and belong to and and fence in Minnesota; Technically they live in the 'Wisconsin Division", but the closest fencing in Wisconsin is in Madison ~ 4 hours away, where, there is fencing in St. Paul, 30 minutes or less...

I don't imagine they appreciate it if you flip-flopped, but any newcomer would certainly have their choice...

[KD5MDK]

People who are members of a club in a different Division to where they reside have the option of joining their club's Division at the beginning of their membership year. Once you pick your Division (based on where you live, where your club is, or where you go to school) at membership registration you MUST qualify from the Division you're a member of, no picking and choosing later.

I think most of New Mexico is part of the New Mexico Division, excepting those parts that are parts of Border Texas. If you live in an area that does not have a Division, you are then a member of the National Division and DO NOT need to qualify for US National Tournaments (except Div I Championships). If "too many" members of the National Division register for Summer Nationals a qualifier among the members may be held the day before SN.

Again, you can join a Division based on the fact your club is located in it, no special exception required.