How the FIS develops and promotes Under 14 fencing

[gladius]

Maybe we/USFA can find some ideas here.

From the FIS web site, partial translation

http://www.federscherma.it/news.asp?i=77171&s=7

Under 14 Italian national circuit: FIS signs a sponsorship with Kinder +Sport

11/05/2009 - 18:07

"Great fencing results originate from far away: youths tournaments"

TURIN - ... There is no secret behind the FIS success. Great results are the product of a constant work at the club level, commitment by Maestri and students, and are the end result of Under 14 National Circuit and a competition which is now 50 years old: the Youth Grand Prix (Gran Premio Giovanissimi).

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, a press conference in Turin introduced the "Under 14 National Circuit - Trophy Kinder +Sport 2009/10" in cooperation with Kinder +Sport.

At the press conference were Giorgio Scarso (FIS President), sponsor Ferrero SpA ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrero_SpA ), Dr. Piero Astegiano of the Sport Medicine Institute in Turin, Gianfranco Porqueddu (President of the Piedmont Region CONI--the Italian National Olympic Committee), senior national team members Bianca Del Carretto (2009 epee team world champion) and Arianna Errigo (2009 foil team world champion), and Mario Vecchioni, President of the Turin Fencing Club.

FIS President Giorgio Scarso reiterated the importance of the Under 14 national circuit to develop a champion. "In the past season about 7,500 aspiring fencers participated in the Gran Premio Giovanissimi. We are proud that for the new season 2009/2010 Kinder +Sport and Ferrero will be right by us adding prestige to our sport. The GPG is a great event to watch and I want to make sure you won't miss it. Several delegates from other national fencing federations congratulate us and come to see how we do it to get some ideas for their own youth programs and championship. Last season we had illustrious visitors like Ilgar Mamedov, member of the FIE Referee Commission, the many times Olympic and World Champion Stanislav Pozdniakov, and Dieynaba Toure Kane, Director of Sport and Pysical Activities of Senegal Sport Ministry."

Ferrero reiterated the company's investment in promoting sport among young children. "Our corporation launched Kinder +Sport back in 2004. One of our many spokespersons is the multi champion Valentina Vezzali which is now connected with youth fencing through the Under 14 circuit. People are getting too sedentary and our youth must understand the importance of sport and the associated values of honesty, friendship, fair play. These are the values our corporation believes in and shares through collaboration with the schools in Turin and with our project Kinder +Sport, which has national and international recognition."
...

Arianna Errigo said, "I had a lot of fun. This is what I remember of my Under 14 competitions. To win was important but it was not the top priority; we were all together and we learned a lot." With a smile she read Aldo Montano's testimonial comparing his GPG victory tho the Olympic gold he won in Athens 2004. "I don't think that you can compare these two victories", says Errigo, "But I'll do my best to be ready for London 2012."


FYI, this is the calendar of the FIS Under 14 Youth Circuit with the final Grand Prix

FIS National Under 14 Circuit – Trophy Kinder +Sport 2009/10 competition schedule:

1st event National Tournament Under 14:
Verona, 21-22 November 2009 (MF and WF)

1st event National Tournament Under 14:
Florence 28-29 November 2009 (ME and WE)

1st event National Tournament Under 14:
San Severo 28-29 November 2009 (MS and WS)

Team National event Under 14:
Ariccia 6-7 February 2009 (MF and WF)

Team National event Under 14:
Chieti 20-21 November 2009 (MS and WS)

Team National event Under 14:
Novara 20-21 Novembre 2009 (ME and WE)

2nd event national Tournament Under 14:
Lucca 9-11 April 2010 (MF and WF)

2nd event national Tournament Under 14:
Salerno 24-25 April 2010 (ME and WE)

2nd event national Tournament Under 14:
Imola 24-25 April 2010 (MS and WS)

Grand Prix Giovanissimi “ Renzo Nostini”:
Rimini 12-18 Mai 2010 (6 Weapons).



Food for Thought:

Mars http://www.mars.com/global/home.htm

PowerBar http://www.powerbar.com/

[Jason]

Don't forget: http://frostedflakes.com

[gladius]

From the FIS web site

http://www.federscherma.it/news.asp?i=77186&s=7

ROME - November 21 is when the national Under 14 circuit will begin to conclude with the Grand Prix Giovanissimi (Youth Grand Prix) in Mai 2010. Here are the testimonials of today's champions (senior).

Valentina Vezzali, foil, three times individual Olympic Champion, five times individual World Champion: “GPG was the most important event of the year just like the World Championships are for me today. I could not and I did not want ever to miss being there. Some I won, some I lost but I was always very happy to be able to participate. I remember that the competition lasted from early in the morning until late in the evening and they took place in the EUR Convention Center in Rome. The venue was impressive in size and looks and the quality of the aspiring fencers stepping on the strip. Often they had their families in tow. GPG is the competition which pushed me in the sport I love more than anything else."

Ilaria Bianco, saber, team World Champion, three times individual silver at World Cahmpionships: “When I fenced in the GPG I was not yet a sabreuse because then girls could only fence foil and epee. But I remember all the times I competed in the GPG and all those expereinces were essential for my present competitive career. Those were the first test to pass to be a winner today. It gave me the opportunity to travel all over Italy as a little girl and to combine a heathy competitive activity with play, and new frienships. An experience I would be always very happy to repeat. My most vivid memory is of a GPG which took place in Paestum: all weapons were together in a single venue. It was then and there that I met many people who remain dear friends to this day."

Nathalie Moellhausen, epee, team World Champion: “For me the GPG was a nightmare. I was crying each time I had to go since I felt I was never ready. In those years I was fencing foil also and I felt that everybody else was stronger and better than I was. I even got to the point I wanted to quit fencing but luckiliy they persuaded me otherwise. GPG is something extraordinary--it helps you overcome the first obstacles..."

Andrea Baldini, foil, individual World Champion: “I have a very pleasant memory of those competitions also because I won two GPG. However I never won a competition during the circuit. The important message is that you must desire to win but at that age being first is not everything. Winning for winning sake is not what counts. The participants dream world titles, Olympic titles, the same dreams I had then. And when you start on a long journey don't get discouraged if you don't get the first GPG."

Aldo Montano, saber, individual Olympic Champion: "The GPG is the top for a young fencer, it is the most important title he can dream of. At the same time a kid can test his true ability and compete with the rest of Italian fencers and get a first feedback of where he stands. GPG is a springboard and for that age it is very important. I won five, six titles at GPG between saber and foil but I will never forget the satisfaction I had with my foirst victory. From the emotional point of view I'd put this gold almost at par with my Olympic gold in Athens 2004."

Matteo Tagliariol, epee, individual Olympic Champion: “The GPG and the entire Under 14 circuit was very important for my formation. These are the first competitions where you really can compare yourself with all the others as far as fencing is concerned. It is very very important for the first expereinces, to start your journey towards bigger and farther goals.”


As you can see in the Youtube link given by epeeslasher about Valentina Vezzali, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQLF_...eature=related she is a spokesperson for Kinder +Sport to motivate the young fencers with her introductory lesson. Numbers of young fencers aside, it is obvious that her presence is a magnet for people and attention to the sport of fencing.

Another idea worth considering by the USFA.