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Due to popular demand and feedback from previous iterations of BF Learning Week, BF has now extended the event to a Learning Month. Now named BF Learning Month, this year’s event will be taking place between the 23rd July and 21st August 2026.

It is an annual opportunity for our members and wider community to join online developmental and informative sessions in subjects from coaching to community development.

BF Learning Month is also supporting the first online International Fencing Research Committee (IFRC) Conference. The IFRC welcomes leading researchers, coaches, and practitioners from around the world to explore the latest advances in fencing science and methodology.

The timetable below will be updated regularly as more sessions are announced. Please continue to check back on this page for sign-up links and information about new sessions.

We will aim to record sessions where possible and publish them on our YouTube channel afterwards.

In order to inform the timetable, please let us know what content and topics you’d like to learn more about using the form below.

Please note that views expressed by external speakers may not necessarily reflect those of BF.

BF Learning Month Content Suggestion Form

The timetable below is interactive. Please click on the event title for the session sign-up link:

Thursday 23rd July, 4pm: Developing a consensus statement on heat and environmental conditions in fencing: an adapted Delphi study (IFRC Conference)

Live session: “Developing a consensus statement on heat and environmental conditions in fencing: an adapted Delphi study”

Speakers: Lindsay Bottoms, Brooke Wilkinson, Nigel Culkin

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Friday 24th July, 4pm: A Data-Driven Model of Sabre Fencing and the Top-16 Effect (IFRC Conference)

Live session: “A Data-Driven Model of Sabre Fencing and the Top-16 Effect”

Speakers: Jacques Lachouque, Christophe Eloy, Eric Lauga

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Monday 27th July, 4pm: On-site Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Facilitates Acute Mental Fatigue Recovery in Well-trained Fencers (IFRC Conference)

Live session: “On-site Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Facilitates Acute Mental Fatigue Recovery in Well-trained Fencers”

Speakers: Chao Bian, Jiakai Tang, Chunmei Cao, Suzanna Russell, Špela Bogataj, Bart Roelands

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Tuesday 28th July, 4pm: Developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools for epidemiology in fencing (IFRC Conference)

Live session: “Developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools for epidemiology in fencing”

Speakers: Tim Johnson, Peter Harmer

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Wednesday 29th July, 4pm: What is the influence of music on practice and performance in university level competitive fencers? (IFRC Conference)

Live session: “What is the influence of music on practice and performance in university level competitive fencers?”

Speakers: Tamara Tait, Maureen Connolly

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Thursday 30th July, 4pm: World Fencing League and the Future of Fencing (IFRC Conference)

Invited live session: “World Fencing League and the Future of Fencing”

Speakers: World Fencing League / Chiron Sports Group

Sign up here

This registration form is for the entire Conference. Registrants will be sent the links to individual sessions afterwards. The information that you submit will not be collected by BF.

Monday 3rd August, 12.30-1.30pm: Funding 4 Sport - How To Access Funding Opportunities For Your Fencing Club (with Richard Sutcliffe)

Guest Speaker: Richard Sutcliffe (Director, Funding 4 Sport)

Host: Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

This workshop will identify sports funding streams that can support BF clubs to deliver new activities and projects.

It will focus on both revenue and capital funding, as well as useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders. Finally, the workshop will explain how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in applying for funding in the future.

Learning objectives:

  • Be able to easily identify funding streams in relation to sport that can support fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects.
  • Learn useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders.
  • Learn how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in the future with grant applications.

About Richard Sutcliffe:

Richard Sutcliffe is the Director of Funding 4 Sport. With over 25 years’ experience across the sport and physical activity sector, he brings a significant breadth of knowledge and experience within the areas of sports funding. Richard began his career within facility management before leaving to become a senior manager within Activity Sheffield, Sheffield City Council in 2004, leading the city’s collaborative strategic approach to the area of sport and physical activity. In part of this role, Richard project-managed strategic city work that included writing and delivering large strategic bids for the service and the city.

In 2008, Richard set up Funding 4 Sport, providing a whole range of services to increase external funding for clubs and organisations involved across the country.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Please note there is a new link for this session, if you signed up to the old one please sign up to this one.

Monday 3rd August, 6.00-7.00pm: Sport:80 - Common Issues and Solutions

BF Team Speakers – Sophia Jones & Sam Hepple

Host – Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

This webinar will be presented by Sophia Jones (Customer Services Manager) and Samantha Hepple (Membership Officer) and will cover a selection of common issues and problems that members experience when using the Sport:80 membership platform. In order to support members with using Sport:80, BF has collated responses over the past few months in relation to the most common enquiries received, and intends to present how to resolve these through this webinar.

Learning Objectives

  • To assist BF members in overcoming common enquiries within Sport:80.
  • To support members in becoming more confident in using Sport:80.
  • To provide an opportunity for BF members to ask questions and find solutions in relation to the Sport:80 platform.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Tuesday 4th August, 12.30-13.30pm: Sport:80 - Common Issues and Solutions

BF Team Speakers – Sophia Jones & Sam Hepple

Host – Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

This webinar will be presented by Sophia Jones (Customer Services Manager) and Samantha Hepple (Membership Officer) and will cover a selection of common issues and problems that members experience when using the Sport:80 membership platform. In order to support members with using Sport:80, BF has collated responses over the past few months in relation to the most common enquiries received, and intends to present how to resolve these through this webinar.

Learning Objectives

  • To assist BF members in overcoming common enquiries within Sport:80.
  • To support members in becoming more confident in using Sport:80.
  • To provide an opportunity for BF members to ask questions and find solutions in relation to the Sport:80 platform.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Wednesday 5th August, 12.30-1.30pm: Club Ready: Supporting Fencing Clubs with Welfare, Governance and Good Practice

BF Team Speaker: Liz Behnke

Host: Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

At BF, our shared goal is simple: to ensure every fencer has a safe, supportive and professionally run environment in which to train and compete. Hosted by Liz Behnke (Lead Safeguarding Officer) for BF, this webinar/session will explore the the importance of BF affiliated clubs being fully compliant in order to achieve this goal. The webinar will explain in detail what being ‘fully compliant’ means and how BF can help support clubs in achieving this.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand Club Compliance and what being ‘fully compliant’ means/looks like.
  • Understand the support that British Fencing offer your club in this space.
  • An opportunity to explore examples of how not being fully compliant could affect the operation of your club.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Wednesday 5th August, 6.00-7.00pm: Club Ready: Supporting Fencing Clubs with Welfare, Governance and Good Practice

BF Team Speaker: Liz Behnke

Host: Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

At BF, our shared goal is simple: to ensure every fencer has a safe, supportive and professionally run environment in which to train and compete. Hosted by Liz Behnke (Lead Safeguarding Officer) for BF, this webinar/session will explore the the importance of BF affiliated clubs being fully compliant in order to achieve this goal. The webinar will explain in detail what being ‘fully compliant’ means and how BF can help support clubs in achieving this.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand Club Compliance and what being ‘fully compliant’ means/looks like.
  • Understand the support that British Fencing offer your club in this space.
  • An opportunity to explore examples of how not being fully compliant could affect the operation of your club.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Club Development Officer) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Thursday 6th August, 12.30-1.30pm: BF Partnerships Team - How We Can Help You Grow Your Club

BF Speakers – Jess Pearce (Partnerships Manager) and Giulia Enright (Commercial Administrator)

Host – Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

This webinar will be presented by Jess Pearce (Partnerships Manager) and Giulia Enright (Commercial Administrator) and will focus around the work that the BF partnerships team conduct and how this could, in time, translate into how BF can support clubs moving forwards in terms of their growth and becoming embedded within their local communities. In regards to this particular webinar, this is for individuals and clubs that would be interested in working collaboratively with BF. The webinar will focus on the following BF programmes:

  • We Are Forging Futures
  • Leisure Centre Programme
  • SwordSeat

Learning Objectives

  • Understand about BF projects, products and initiatives.
  • Explore how your club can work collaboratively with BF to implement these.
  • Ask questions and develop understanding/knowledge of BF work areas.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Club Development Officer) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Thursday 6th August, 6.00-7.00pm: Funding 4 Sport - How To Access Funding Opportunities For Your Fencing Club (with Richard Sutcliffe)

Guest Speaker – Richard Sutcliffe (Director, Funding 4 Sport)

Host – Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director)

This Workshop will identify sports funding streams that can support British Fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects. It will focus on both revenue and capital funding, as well as useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders. Finally, the workshop will explain how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in applying for funding in the future.

Learning Objectives

  • Be able to easily identify funding streams in relation to sport that can support fencing clubs to deliver new activities and projects.
  • Learn useful hints and tips to help with funding applications to sports funders.
  • Learn how Funding 4 Sport can support your organisation in the future with grant applications.

About Richard Sutcliffe:

Richard Sutcliffe is the Director of Funding 4 Sport. With over 25 years’ experience across the sport and physical activity sector, he brings a significant breadth of knowledge and experience within the areas of sports funding. Richard began his career within facility management before leaving to become a senior manager within Activity Sheffield, Sheffield City Council in 2004, leading the city’s collaborative strategic approach to the area of sport and physical activity. In part of this role, Richard project-managed strategic city work that included writing and delivering large strategic bids for the service and the city.

In 2008, Richard set up Funding 4 Sport, providing a whole range of services to increase external funding for clubs and organisations involved across the country.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Paul Cummins (BF Participation Director) via Paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Tuesday 11th August, 12-1pm: Growing People, Growing Clubs - Practical tools for supporting learning, confidence and connection across your club (with Sarah Green)

Guest Speaker: Sarah Green (Performance Pathway Coach Developer, England Netball)

Host: Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching & Workforce)

We often focus on developing technical skills, systems and programmes, but thriving clubs are built by something more fundamental: people. This interactive session explores how better conversations can help create more confident coaches, officials and volunteers, leading to healthier, more connected club environments where people want to stay, contribute and grow.

Drawing on practical learning and development approaches, we’ll explore both the one-to-one conversations that support individuals and the wider cultural factors that shape club experiences. Together, we’ll look at what really makes people stay involved, how our well-intentioned urge to solve problems can become the “Advice Monster”, and why a jazz band offers a powerful metaphor for learning, leadership and development in clubs.

Through stories, reflection and practical tools, participants will consider how to move beyond simply giving answers and instead create the conditions for learning, confidence and ownership. We’ll finish with a simple framework for turning insight into action: So what? What now?

Learning objectives:

  • Understand some practical tools for supporting learning.
  • Understand how better conversations can create more confident people.

About Sarah Green:

Sarah Green is England Netball’s Performance Pathway Coach Developer and UK Coaching ‘Coach Developer of the Year’ Award winner, recognised for her outstanding work supporting coaches across the England Netball Performance Pathway and the Vitality Netball Superleague. Known for creating safe, non-judgemental learning environments, Sarah helps coaches reflect, develop and grow with confidence. Her contagious curiosity and commitment to continuous learning inspire a growth mindset in those she works with. Passionate about developing people through meaningful conversations, Sarah combines practical insight with a people-centred approach to help coaches, leaders and organisations unlock their potential.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching and Workforce) via development@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Wednesday 12th August, 12-1pm: Strength & Conditioning (with Dr Idrees Afzal)

Guest Speaker: Dr Idrees Afzal (Performance Consultant, Badminton World Federation)

Host: Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching & Workforce)

This session will introduce coaches to key strength and conditioning principles that can help reduce injury risk and support athlete development. Designed for coaches working across a range of environments, the session focuses on simple, effective strategies that can be easily integrated into training sessions without requiring specialist facilities or equipment.

We’ll explore the role of strength and conditioning in keeping athletes healthy, resilient and available to train and compete. Coaches will gain a better understanding of common injury risk factors and learn how to incorporate preventative exercises into warm-ups, skill sessions and everyday coaching practice.

A particular focus will be placed on portable and affordable equipment that can fit into a kit bag or are easily accessible in any commercial gym. Equipment discussed will include resistance bands, foam rollers, mini-bands, TRX suspension straps, tennis balls and other simple training tools. Moreover, attendees will discover practical exercises that can be used to develop strength, stability, movement quality and injury resilience.

The session will provide coaches with ideas they can immediately apply in their own environments, regardless of age group or level of participation. Whether you’re looking to enhance athlete wellbeing, improve physical preparation, or simply add more variety to your sessions, this workshop will equip you with practical tools and confidence to get started.

Learning objectives:

  • Understand how to help reduce injury risk.
  • Learn practical exercises to develop key fitness aspects such as strength, stability, and movement quality.
  • Understand how to apply the ideas within your own environment.

About Dr Idrees Afzal:

Idrees Afzal (PhD) is an experienced Strength and Conditioning Coach with a strong background in high-performance sport and youth development, having worked across a range of racket sports and within county cricket. His experience includes supporting and developing athletes competing at elite and international levels.

In addition, Idrees serves as a Performance Consultant for the Badminton World Federation and has previously held academic positions as a Lecturer in Sport Performance and Coaching at both University of Gloucestershire and Leeds Beckett University.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching and Workforce) via development@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Thursday 13th August, 12.30-1.15pm: Digital Learning Transformation: Understanding the Learner Experience (with Andreas Michaelas)

Guest Speaker: Andreas Michaelas (Workforce Development Manager, British Wrestling)

Host: Abhishek Sudhakar (BF Digital Learning Manager)

Digital learning is transforming rapidly across sport, but it is learners who experience the impact most directly. In this session, Andreas Michaelas, Workforce Development Manager at British Wrestling, explores what digital change actually feels like for anyone engaging with learning within sport. Andreas has first‑hand experience of navigating digital learning transformation in an NGB while keeping learners at the centre of change.

Drawing on his extensive experience leading education programmes through significant periods of organisational change, Andreas will focus on the learner’s point of view rather than systems or strategy. The session looks at common reactions to digital change, including potential uncertainty, resistance, confidence-building, and gradual acceptance, using real and relatable examples from the sport sector. Attendees will gain insight into the practical and emotional challenges learners face, and what helps them feel supported, capable, and motivated when learning moves into digital spaces.

This session is relevant for anyone who wants to better understand learner experiences during digital learning transformation and engage with more effective, people‑focused learning environments.

Learning objectives:

  • Understand how digital learning transformation can impact the learner experience, including initial reactions, concerns, and common challenges.
  • Recognise how learner confidence and engagement can evolve over time during periods of change, based on real experiences from the context of another sport.
  • Identify key factors that contribute to a positive user experience during digital learning change, including what helps learners feel supported and confident.

About Andreas Michaelas:

With over 15 years’ experience in sport development and education, Andreas began his career coaching weightlifting in 2004 as an assistant club coach. He joined British Weight Lifting in 2010 as a tutor and assessor, before taking on a full-time role in 2014. During his time there, he led the creation of the organisation’s first Ofqual-regulated coach education pathway, alongside delivering across a wide range of settings, from universities to the armed forces.

His experience also includes contributing to higher education, serving as a guest lecturer on Undergraduate and Masters Strength and Conditioning programmes at UCLan and the University of Bolton. He developed weightlifting modules for both UCLan programmes and supported the programme development at Bolton.

He later transitioned into wrestling, where he re-established the national education programme following a period of inactivity. Since then, he has led its evolution through significant organisational change, focusing on understanding how the community learns and shaping education to better meet those needs.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Abhishek Sudhakar (BF Digital Learning Manager) via DLM@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Sunday 16th August, 7-8pm, Raising Happy Champs (with Dr Jen Harris)

Guest Speaker: Dr Jen Harris (Founder, Raising Happy Champs)

Host: Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent)

Raising Happy Champs with Dr Jen Harris is a supportive, non-judgemental workshop designed to help parents navigate the ups and downs of supporting a young athlete. Drawing on the latest sport psychology research, alongside Jen’s experience as both a researcher and a sport parent, the workshop shares practical strategies to help children build confidence, manage competition-day emotions, develop resilience, and enjoy their sport. Parents will leave with simple, evidence-based tools they can use immediately to support both performance and wellbeing.

About Dr Jen Harris:

Dr Jen Harris is the founder of Raising Happy Champs and the creator of the SUPER-P Approach to sport parent education. Her PhD focused on designing and evaluating an education programme for sport parents, translating sport psychology research into practical strategies that parents can use every day. As a sport parent herself, Jen understands the emotional rollercoaster of supporting a young athlete and delivers engaging, evidence-based workshops that are supportive, practical and completely free from judgement.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent) via Sarah.jones@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Monday 17th August, 12-1pm: Skin Healthcare for Fencers (with Alex Silberzwieg)

Guest Speaker: Alex Silberzwieg (Medical student, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell)

Host: Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent)

Athlete skin health plays a vital role in both wellbeing and performance in fencing. The close contact of masks and protective kit can contribute to common skin issues such as acne mechanica, infections, and allergic reactions. This session explores the importance of good personal and equipment hygiene, practical strategies for preventing skin problems, and how proactive skin health management can support confidence, self-esteem, and long-term participation in the sport.

About Alex Silberzwieg:

Alex Silberzweig fenced Division I sabre at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2020. During her time at Penn, she served as the fencing team’s Health and Wellness Captain and as the University of Pennsylvania Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Public Relations and School Spirit Committee Chair, where she advocated for student-athlete well-being and community engagement. She is currently a 27-year-old medical student at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and is completing a dedicated research year in dermatology focused on inflammatory skin diseases.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent) via Sarah.jones@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Tuesday 18th August, 12-1.30pm: Planning Your Cadet Season: Competitions, Selection and the GBR Pathway

Host: Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent)

The session introduces the Cadet GBR Pathway, helping athletes and parents understand development stages, season and competition planning, rankings, selection, and major events. Designed for both athletes entering the Cadet pathway and those already competing within it, the session provides valuable insight into the opportunities, expectations, and support available throughout the season. It also covers the behaviours, support roles, parent responsibilities, administration, safeguarding, and resources needed to navigate the pathway confidently.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent ) via sarah.jones@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Wednesday 19th August, 12-1pm: The Skill (R)evolution. Stepping in, or Time to Leap Ahead (with Phil Carson)

Guest Speaker: Phil Carson (Fencing coach and author of ‘The Constraints-Led Fencing Coach’)

Host: Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching & Workforce)

Join Phil Carson for an engaging exploration of the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) and its application to developing skilled, adaptable performers. Drawing on his experience as a coach, educator, and author of The Constraints-Led Fencing Coach, Phil will unpack the theory and practice behind one of the most influential approaches in contemporary skill acquisition.

Rather than relying on repetitive drills and prescriptive instruction, the Constraints-Led Approach places athletes in representative learning environments where movement solutions emerge through interaction with the task, environment, and individual. This session will explore how coaches can design effective practice activities that encourage problem-solving, perception-action coupling, creativity, and decision-making under pressure.

Through practical examples and real-world coaching insights, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how manipulating constraints can shape learning outcomes, promote athlete ownership, and enhance performance transfer from practice to competition. Phil will also address common misconceptions about CLA and provide guidance on how coaches can confidently integrate its principles into their everyday coaching.

About Phil Carson:

Phil has studied coaching in France, Germany Italy, Russia and the USA. He has been coaching for 40 years and has worked with over 100 Scottish, British and Commonwealth Champions. Phil has recently published a book ‘The Constraints-Led Fencing Coach’.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Chris Turner (BF Head of Coaching and Workforce) via development@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Wednesday 19th August, 1-2.30pm: Planning Your Junior Season: Competitions, Selection and the GBR Pathway

Host: Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent)

The session introduces the Junior GBR Pathway, helping athletes and parents understand development stages, season and competition planning, rankings, selection, and major events. Designed for both athletes entering the Junior pathway and those already competing within it, the session provides valuable insight into the opportunities, expectations, and support available throughout the season. It also covers the behaviours, support roles, parent responsibilities, administration, safeguarding, and resources needed to navigate the pathway confidently.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact Sarah Jones (BF Head of Talent ) via sarah.jones@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

Thursday 20th August, 10-11am: Core Coach for the Community

Host: Olivia Harper (BF Commercial Officer)

Olivia Harper, BF’s Commercial Officer, will be presenting on Core Coach and how it can benefit the community. This session is aimed at community development individuals and those who want to get started in fencing.

BF also recently launched the Open Core Coach model, which allows individuals rather than organisations to bring Core Coach to their communities.

You’ll hear all about what Core Coach offers to individuals, the pricing structure and discounts that are available, and Core Coach in practice, including examples of success stories.

If you have any questions about this session, please contact olivia.harper@britishfencing.com.

Sign up here

View the BF Learning Month 2026 playlist on our YouTube channel:

Last updated 18 Sept 2026