Local Clubs not told of Wheelchair Clinic

[Phrogger]

I'm writing this mainly to express my frustrations over this. I recently found this web page, where in July of this year, Jim Murray of Johns Hopkins University came to Kinston, NC and gave a Wheelchair Fencing exhibition and clinic. This is why I'm frustrated: Our club is less than an hour away, the closest fencing club to this event and we had no idea.

This event was not listed on Ask Fred, nor was it on the Division or Section calendars, newsletters, or websites (though I do not check these every day). Although we do not currently have a wheelchair fencing program, this would have been a great opportunity for our coaches to learn about wheelchair fencing and gauge area interest.

In a case such as this, should there be someone communicating with local sections/divisions/clubs? It seems like a wasted effort for someone to give a clinic like this, "Hey, look at this cool sport!" and then offer no local contacts to anyone. What, exactly is the USFA Wheelchair Committee responsible for? Comments, please?

[mtarascio]

I would suggest you contact the organizers of this event to find out why you were not informed.

It appears the USFA Wheelchair Committee had nothing to do with this.

[Redblade]

I'm writing this mainly to express my frustrations ...
Jim Murray of Johns Hopkins University came to Kinston, NC, and gave a Wheelchair Fencing exhibition and clinic. ... Our club is less than an hour away, the closest fencing club to this event and we had no idea.

This event was not listed on Ask Fred, nor was it on the Division or Section calendars, newsletters, or websites (though I do not check these every day).

Sounds like the organizer failed to promote his event as thoroughly as he could have. It happens.

Although we do not currently have a wheelchair fencing program, this would have been a great opportunity for our coaches to learn about wheelchair fencing and gauge area interest.

So you don't have any chaired athletes. So the guy who put this together just didn't think about your club and its potential. There's no blame to place. It's not like we can get inside his head and force consideration. Let him know you're interested and maybe next time you'll be invited to participate.

[Phrogger]

Well, since the event was a "A Sports, Recreation, Fitness and Mobility Exposition for People with Special Needs" (from the website), I can understand why they wouldn't think to contact local clubs, after all, promoting fencing isn't their purpose (It IS the purpose of the USFA). But in a case such as this, with a prominent member of the fencing community traveling to a relatively obscure location to give a fencing demonstration, contacting section/division/local clubs could have resulted in better exposure, better attendance, and better support for the event. I don't think it's the responsibility of the expo organizer to figure this out.

I'm not trying to place blame as much as I'm illustrating what could be done better here. I've already emailed the expo organizers to find out if this will be an annual event, and if anyone has contact information for Mr. Murray, I'd love to find out if he plans to attend again in the future so we can offer our support.

[bigdawg2121]

Contacting Jim should be relatively easy to do and he's a fairly personable guy. I'm sure he'd be happy to offer a clinic on wheelchair fencing sometime this season (either when he's here already on business, or separately if you're can demonstrate sufficient interest).