Starting a High School Fencing Program

[wbowman]

Does anyone out there have any experience in starting a high school fencing program from scratch?
I've been suggesting to the headmaster at the school I attended that they start to offer fencing. But I'd also like to be able to offer more than just the suggestion.

To begin with, what sorts of costs are involved? In terms of equipment, I'm guessing $150-$200 per kid for starters (basic mask, jacket, dry foil, glove). Is this realistic?
Obviously, once they get to the point of needed electric stuff, the cost goes up, but I'm just talking bare basics here.

The other issue is probably a coach. Assuming no one on the present faculty has any fencing experienced, I'm presuming one would have to be brought in from outside. (Haven't yet started beating the bushes to see if one's available in the area. I don't live there any more and the local club tends to be off and on). But in other people's experience, what's the range of cost that might be involved there?

I'd appreciate any guidance anyone could pass along.

[Pescados666]

You'll need a place for them to change, we keep our class set of dry foils on a cart in pvc pipes, we have a beginers program and a varsity program. The varsity program is much more advanced then the beginers. The varsity team are the only ones that actually go to tournaments, so they have their own armorer, 2 actually. I'm not certain but I think to be able to teach any class you have to have some type of degree, and alot of other certifications.

[Purple Fencer]

You'll need a place for them to change, we keep our class set of dry foils on a cart in pvc pipes, we have a beginers program and a varsity program. The varsity program is much more advanced then the beginers. The varsity team are the only ones that actually go to tournaments, so they have their own armorer, 2 actually. I'm not certain but I think to be able to teach any class you have to have some type of degree, and alot of other certifications.

Not necessarily...at least not in the LA Unified District. I was able to instruct one of the local school teams as a "walk on coach"...there just had to be a member of the school staff present (which he never was....I just got a ket to the storage room!). It fell apart when i had to get a day job and could not instruct.

Try dropping Greg Schiller a line. He's teh coach at Monroe HS AND UCLA...he might be able to give you some good advice...I'll pm his email to you.

[geofmclean]

Are there any problems with school insurance?

I asked about having a fencing event at the local high school. The activities director shot it down based on liability.

Personally, I think he is *uninformed*, but have decided to make it a project of mine to get the sport accepted. I fenced in high school and would like my kids to have the same opportunity.

[k.d crosby]

Are there any problems with school insurance?

I asked about having a fencing event at the local high school. The activities director shot it down based on liability.

Personally, I think he is *uninformed*, but have decided to make it a project of mine to get the sport accepted. I fenced in high school and would like my kids to have the same opportunity.

We carry our own insurance through the USFA. When you apply for it, be sure to get an addendum for the school system you want to/or already are working with. It is free to do it all at once. I believe it is $25?? to add them on. We work with many different schools in different states and that liability insurance gets into the schools allllllll the time. We don't even show up to present the possibility of starting a program without that base covered.

~Kitty

[ACrimsonRapier]

Fencing is a lot safer than almost every sport, isn't it? Only a few nipped fingers. ^_^

[KD5MDK]

Plus the occasional penetrated wrist.

I don't think school opposition is going to be a problem given it is the Headmaster asking about it.

[Fencing Mom]

A few years ago, Cindy Bent (the editor) wrote a 2-part story on how to start a high school program for American Fencing magazine. If you can't find it on an archive or through Googling, you might want to email her to find the article. She is very helpful.

[CvilleFencer]

Shoot me an email with a few more details and I can offer some advice from there. David and Kitty would also be good resources, in addition to the article mentioned above.

Short version:

Many schools require a "sponsor" for club activities. Often these people have very little involvement in the actual running of the club, but it smooths the way immensely if you have someone on the inside willing to push for it.

Gear can be much more cheaply than you are thinking. Talk to me or David/Kitty but I would guess we could set you up with decent mask/jacket/sword/glove for a lot less than you were thinking.

The schools insurance should cover athletic activities but it is a good idea to join the USFA and get the insurance for the schools program. It covers a lot and offers piece of mind.

There are a lot of fencers in that part of the world, so I think finding a volunteer coach would be the way to go, at least initially. Once you have that worked out, plan out your times and have a large demonstration with some experienced fencers to generate interest and leave sign up sheets or the like with the front desk and the clubs sponsor for students who are interested in joining on.

[wbowman]

On the insurance issue -- the particular case at issue involves a private school, so at least there's not the public school bureacracy to contend with.
(and to KD5MDK -- it's actually the other way around. It's me bugging the headmaster nearly every time I see him at an alumni function). At least he hasn't raised the insurance issue yet.
In any case, thanks for everyone's input. I'll also check those American Fencing articles. Just want to have some answers ready if I can at least get the guy interested enough to ask for specifics.

[Mergs]

Wayne,

Give me a call or PM me. I've done this a couple of times.

Mergs