High School Fencing

[NCFencer]

What would be the best way to make High School Fencing a popular trend, or to even introduce it at all, in states(such as NC) where this is all but unheard of?

[samster]

What would be the best way to make High School Fencing a popular trend, or to even introduce it at all, in states(such as NC) where this is all but unheard of?

1. start a thread on it

2. form a team, become a highschool coach

[c3l2vantes]

well im from louisville KY and this trend actually JUST popped up. the coaches from LFC (i believe, cause it wasnt knight of swords, the only two clubs in the city) posted highschool "events" in askfred as turny's, but its really just a bunch of highschool programs only for the ppl going to that school. they are however doing it at almost all the HS's so my guess is they're trying the shotgun effect, see who turns up and which ones will stick. its not a bad approach but its annoying for me when im lookin for local turnys and getting those listings...over....and over....and over.

*also, when i was in the army i wanted to start a fencing team for my base, and i approached the coach at a club near me. all i needed was 10 ppl to agree to try it and he'd start coming out, bringing the equip. with him and utilizing one of our gyms. so maybe try getting a big ol list of ppl together who wanna try from your school and see if a coach wants to make the commute for the obvious potential monotary gain

[500gms]

The Big Picture and HS fencing is one of many, many HS fencing discussions previously had on this board...... try search.

[bigdawg2121]

Also there is HS fencing in NC....assuming the NC that you're discussing is North Carolina. I'd also disagree with someone above's step one. The right step one is actually doing some research.

[Downtown]

Southwest High School in High Point, NC has a club.

I think Delta H ( a fencing club ) in Greensboro, NC may still work with high school programs. They have a web site and may be able to direct you further.

[semihippie]

Elkin Schools do as well.

[ReMO9119]

Fencing is huge in Connecticut High Schools. I would say about 50 schools have formed teams since the 90's.

And if you wanna start a club at your school, get some definate people and contact your Athletics Director or Principal. That's what my school did in 98, and now there is almost 40 fencers on the team

[IHateMrPotatohead]

It really depends on where you live in NC. As mentioned above, a few areas DO have High School fencing programs. However in areas such as Charlotte, the public school will not allow fencing as they believe "it is akin to allowing weapons in school", and therefore will not allow it.

[mrbiggs]

Fencing is huge in Connecticut High Schools. I would say about 50 schools have formed teams since the 90s

There is no way there are 50. Right now there are 20-25 active teams in the state, several of which were around before the 90s.
There's been a lot of growth in the last ten years, though, especially in the Eastern part of the state.

The most important part of getting a high school team is coaching. If you don't have a coach, you don't have a team. So the first step is to find a coach, and the second is to convince the bureaucrats in your school that fencing is safe and a reasonable thing to spend money on. Once two schools do this, you can compete.

[Warrior Princess]

For alot of kids, the interest is already there. The schools just have no way of paying for equipment, and fencing is an expensive sport. Budgets are tight enough as it is. You also need to find coaches, not to mention pay them.

[ReMO9119]

There is no way there are 50. Right now there are 20-25 active teams in the state, several of which were around before the 90s.
There's been a lot of growth in the last ten years, though, especially in the Eastern part of the state.

The most important part of getting a high school team is coaching. If you don't have a coach, you don't have a team. So the first step is to find a coach, and the second is to convince the bureaucrats in your school that fencing is safe and a reasonable thing to spend money on. Once two schools do this, you can compete.

Well I was exaggerating.
I am from the Eastern part of CT, so almost all of our fencing teams are fairly new, in comparision with other sports.