I am the president of my high school's fencing club. While rather underfunded (the max we can get from our student council is $125/yr), we try to do our best for the students. We have some (pretty old) gear from when the school used to have a fencing gym class (they no longer do), and a lot of it needs improving. As it stands, gloves, a few jackets, and some new blades would be really helpful. But, as aforementioned, we are on a very, very tight budget. Any ideas on where I can get some inexpensive gear that won't fall apart?
I am the president of my high school's fencing club. While rather underfunded (the max we can get from our student council is $125/yr), we try to do our best for the students. We have some (pretty old) gear from when the school used to have a fencing gym class (they no longer do), and a lot of it needs improving. As it stands, gloves, a few jackets, and some new blades would be really helpful. But, as aforementioned, we are on a very, very tight budget. Any ideas on where I can get some inexpensive gear that won't fall apart?
Thanks!
I hate to say it, but you generally get what you pay for (IMHO with a few exceptions. I've never had any good experiences with LP stuff.)
Honestly...the bes thing you can do is maybe throw a tournament together, talk to you student council and see if you can do some fundraising...
You might also investigate a USFA equipment grant. Your club would need to be a USFA member club to take advantage of this, but club dues are only $40 a year.
-Mike
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Michael Heggen, prévôt d'escrime, USFCA, AAI
head instructor, Salem Classical Fencing
an AFL & USFA salle d'armes in Salem, Oregon http://www.salemclassicalfencing.org
Over on the right side under "attachments" is information about the USFA Development Grant and Equipment Grant programs. These are last year's applications, but stuff for the current season should be up shortly (I would guess).
I had forgotten about the Development Grant, but that sounds like it might be perfect for you.
Good luck!
-Mike
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Michael Heggen, prévôt d'escrime, USFCA, AAI
head instructor, Salem Classical Fencing
an AFL & USFA salle d'armes in Salem, Oregon http://www.salemclassicalfencing.org
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Michael Heggen, prévôt d'escrime, USFCA, AAI
head instructor, Salem Classical Fencing
an AFL & USFA salle d'armes in Salem, Oregon http://www.salemclassicalfencing.org
As long as you're thanking him, click that little balance scales icon to the lower left of his post. Give him some rep too. It's not JUST for jokes and being an epeeist, after all.
-B
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"Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
You might also investigate a USFA equipment grant. Your club would need to be a USFA member club to take advantage of this, but club dues are only $40 a year.
-Mike
While well-intentioned, that sounds like a pretty bad idea. Not only is the USFA membership a significant chunk of the school's budget, the fact that US Fencing is an economic disaster would lead me to believe that it would be extremely unlikely that the school (or anyone else) could consider applying for a grant to have a high-probability of success. No sense in throwing away 30% of your budget on a long-shot.
Note also that when the US Fencing equipment grants are given they are done so on a matching funds basis. I.e. they cover $500 towards $1,000 of purchases.
-B
__________________
"Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
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