Manging a cadet fencer - suggestions?!

[DonnaP]

I am hoping that some of you may have experience at the higher competition levels and can offer some parental words of wisdom.

My son has done very well over the past few years and is now finishing his final year as a Y14. He has done well as a Y14, and is currently on both the cadet and junior point lists.

I know that my next question is probably premature, but in looking at the cadet list, if he has a good summer nationals, there is a possibility he may be in the top 12 on the cadet point list. I have begun reading the athlete's manual and trying to learn about all of the in's and out's of FIE licenses, applications, etc. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed - would it be bad of me to hope my kid doesn't do well so that I don't have to deal with all of this!!

So my question is simply, what advice do you have on things like, when does the new handbook come out with the schedules for the fall, any tips on getting forms in, travel tips, any other little things that I should know about.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Donna

[lewis]

In the last 7 years the two designated MS cadets were Konin in September and Godollo in October. You can see the info for them on the MS webpage - The usfa will post the forms both for 'requesting' entry and for the fie license generally nerve wrackingly close to the entry deadline in mid august. For world cups you request entry and request an FIE license and they do the entry and get the license. Theoretically a team manager is chosen (always paid for) who coordinates transportation to and from the venue and sometimes books a block of rooms etc; depends on who it is. Since these two tournaments have been the same forever there are a lot of coaches and parents who know the ins and outs of traveling (ie fly to warsaw or katowice or take the train from Berlin instead of flying into Budapest etc; what train to take from Warsaw, which hotel is closest to the venue etc).... when the final list is posted just reply all and ask your questions. A world cup is about $1000 just for your fencer and more if you go or send a coach. Generally we expect that the first World Cup is a 'learning experience' - read out in the 128.

Even if he is not top 12 or even top 24 put in the request for entry. You never know...... you don't have to accept just because he is picked. The cadets are actually more nerve wracking than the juniors because the info is not posted on the fie website. For Junior and senior competitions there is generally an organizer info flyer that tells you where the host hotel is, if there is transportation from the airport and how to get it and how to make hotel reservations and get transportation to and from the tournament and the host hotel. Cadet not so much info but many more parents going.... Also since it is cadet you cannot check for yourself to see if the usfa has entered your kid before you go; but the usfa will give you a link to see if there is an fie license.

World Cups are the next level of stress and expense. Have fun!

[Allen Evans]

Being at the top of the points list doesn't actually obligate you to travel internationally or worry about the things you seem to be dreading.

AE

[MdA]

It doesn't hurt to read the handbook....but don't put pressure on yourself ...or your kid.

If he is in the top 16 after Summer Nationals...send in your applications in August.

[DonnaP]

Being at the top of the points list doesn't actually obligate you to travel internationally or worry about the things you seem to be dreading.

AE

Very true!! In fact, depending on when, where, and how much, we may not be able to pursue this. However, with all the hard work and effort, it seems like the logical thing to do next - IF he continues to do well and IF he gets accepted and IF, IF, IF...... I also would think it would be a really neat experience for him both fencing wise and for the travel, culture, etc.

I sort of feel that if it happens - cool, if not, that's okay too. I just know through my years now of USFA experience that many things often happen last minute (you know the OMG - your stuff has to be in tomorrow!!!) And so I'm trying to avoid some of the stress and headaches that come with that - and me being a type A, proactive, OCD control freak, just doesnt' seem to work with how the USFA typically seems to run these things!

PS, I'm not trying to be negative about the USFA or the new administration, just drawing on my personal experience.

[teacup]

Things are run differently amongst the six squads. For example there are a greater number of sabre fencers that travel internationally compared to junior and senior women's epee fencers.

The sabre squads use team managers but they are the only squad that does. For the other squads everyone is one their own to book hotels, travel and ground transportation. (Email addresses to contact other fencers must be deciphered from the email headers from the USFA.)

It is best to find the organizer's website and book your own rooms even before you are cleared to go. If cadet events are on the European Cadet circuit, hotel information is available on many of the organizers websites. Junior world cup invitations are on the FIE site or the host countries website. Rooms can always be cancelled. Close of registration is usually on a Saturday or Sunday, so the by the time the USFA emails everyone on Tuesday, you will have about four weeks to organize travel.

European Cadet Circuit:
http://www.eurofencing.info/EfcEng/defaultE.htm

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Here's one idea: go ahead and get the FIE license now. You send in the paperwork and what...$25? to the USFA. It's not a huge cost, and then the paperwork is already in place if you decide to pull the trigger.

[lewis]

Depending on where you live there are always the Canadian tournaments. Canada uses NACs as point tournaments (have to make top 16). So many of the top Canadians are regularly at the NACs. It is helpful to know how to fence them. If you go to the Canadian Fencing Federation website you will find a list of tournaments. If you live in the NE then Quebec ff has 4 competitions per year that are combined cadet/junior. Both events are on the same day morning/afternoon either saturday or sunday depending on the weapon. This is at least a different kind of tournament. You can get used to the announcements, reffing etc all in French;fence different people and get used to different styles of reffing. We did these regularly years ago and it was a less expensive intro into international fencing. I don't know what the other canadian federations do. Don't under estimate the value of the experience of fencing somewhere not the us and without a huge contingent of us fencers.....

[darius]

Canadian Circuits don't award USFA points, which is a drawback.

They do, however, have a format which ensures lots of fencing if you can get yourself into the top-16; once the 16 is determined, they are split into two super-pools of 8. You fence everybody in your super-pool, then the top 8 fencers from the super-pools are seeded into a tableau of 8. From a developmental standpoint, they're good competitions.

The Canadian federation has decided to be less reciprocal than the US when it comes to allowing entry to CSCs, but if you're on the requisite US points list, I believe that they're now allowed.

darius

[SabreReedfrost]

Manging a cadet fencer - suggestions?!

I wouldn't recommend manging him, that's for sure. Can you imagine what that would look like?

[DonnaP]

Darn that keyboard!!!

[Mom2fencrs]

Our son did Konin twice and Godollo once, and was on the US Cadet World team last year. This year he is on the team for the team event in Juniors.

When your fencer is ready for Cadet international events, I would suggest: 1) assess his moral maturity level. Some kids are able at 15 to travel to these events alone and not get into trouble. But many are not. Is your fencer a leader or a follower?....

There may not be a team manager/squad manager going. If there is one don't assume this person will watch out for your child 24/7 and know where he is most of the time... 2) Attending the first time WITH your fencer so you become familiar with how this sort of trip "goes". It is not like fencing in the US at a NAC or Summer National. The announcements are made in a different language. If they use the same venues in Konin and Godollo as in the past, the events in Konin are in 2 different rooms in one venue and the Godollo event is held in 2 different buildings until further into the DE rounds. AND Godollo's venue/sleeping area is a long way away from the town where the food places are, so the fencers can get spread out from others rather quickly when not fencing. 3) Find a parent who has done this a few times and ask them your questions. 4) Read your Athlete Handbook a few times every year. 5) Don't get on the wrong train back to Warsaw out of Konin...6) Have fun and consider the first time out a learning experience, because it is. :-)

[fencerwallet]

Very true!! In fact, depending on when, where, and how much, we may not be able to pursue this. However, with all the hard work and effort, it seems like the logical thing to do next

Absolutely you go, if J is eligible (and he will be) he deserves it. My son's grandmother is from Poznan, a westerly train ride from Konin, so he's disappointed being out all year will likely render him ineligible.

[sleepyweasle]

International events are a great learning experience not only for fencing but for dealing with what life throws at you. Cadet events are great fun but if at all possible I would recommend accompanying your fencer for his first year of fencing abroad as details such as making connections to get to hotels, dealing with lost luggage, and simply finding something your fencer will eat can add to the stress of the trip. Once he learns the ropes (and depending on his level of maturity) you can then send him by himself in years to come. And don't get too excited about the "squad managers" in sabre. It is true in years past the "squad manager" was very responsible for coordinating travel arrangements and hotel bookings, but at least for junior WS this year we were on our own!

If she got nothing else out of international competition (which of course is not true - she made many friends and accumulated lots of experience), my kid learned how to negotiate herself (and often her friends) throughout any foreign country, whether she could speak the language or not, find meals and lodging and get herself back to the states on her own. Is it any wonder she thinks I am completely insane when I worry about her getting back to her dorm on the subway?

[lewis]

The Canadian federation has decided to be less reciprocal than the US when it comes to allowing entry to CSCs, but if you're on the requisite US points list, I believe that they're now allowed.

darius

If you go to the Federation d'Escrime Quebec there are provincial cadet/junior tournaments in and about Montreal... four per year. One is about 90 minutes from Montreal but the rest are in or close around it. They are both the same day, Juniors in the morning and Cadets in the afternoon. I am never organized enough to pre register but usually email the organizer at the last minute - there is a $10 fee for registering late - but only on the first tournament. You don't need to be on the points list for these because they are not used for team selection... they are just club tournaments. But they are well attended and pretty well run. IF you go up Friday night you can drive home saturday afternoon - or spend Sunday in Montreal or skiing or something....