Southern BYC Qualifers - (Foil - U14, U18) and (Epee/Sabre - U12, U16)

2026 SOUTHERN REGION YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BYC QUALIFIERS

Sunday 15th March 2026

This is a Southern Region qualifying event for the British Youth Championships.

Venue: The Deanery CE Academy, Peglars Way, Swindon SN1 7DA.

CHECK-IN TIMES

EVENT	CHECK-IN CLOSE	EVENT	CHECK-IN CLOSE
U14 Boys Foil	09:00	U14 Girls Foil	09:00
U18 Boys Foil	13:00	U18 Girls Foil	13:00
U12 Boys Epee	09:00	U12 Girls Epee	09:00
U16 Boys Epee	13:00	U16 Girls Epee	13:00
U16 Boys Sabre	09:00	U16 Girls Sabre	09:00

Poules are planned start as soon after check in closes.

Please note if entries in a particular event are less than 4, we will aim to run these as a mixed poule, to maximise the amount of fencing. All direct eliminations will be separate.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (U18s)

Every under 18 year old must provide the name the adult (for example parent or coach) at the venue responsible for them during the competition and for their departure from the venue. That adult is to acknowledge that responsibility by signing the check-in register. Unaccompanied children may be refused entry. In exceptional circumstances, please contact us to further discuss.

AGE CATEGORIES AT 1ST JANUARY 2025

U12: Born 2014 or 2015

U14: Born 2012 or 2013
U16: Born 2010 or 2011

U18: Born 2008 or 2009

 

FORMAT

1 round of poules followed by direct elimination. Subject to numbers, poules may be of mixed gender/age group but will be not mixed weapon size. All DE’s will be separated

EQUIPMENT 

ALL WEAPONS: All fencing clothing and equipment must comply with BF regulations (https://www.britishfencing.com/byc-kit-requirements/).

A minimum standard of 350N/CEN1 mask with back strap, jacket and breeches for all ages and a plastron of 350N/CEN1 for U12/U14 and 800N/CEN2 for U16/U18. Long socks need be pulled up so there is no gap between socks and breeches. Chest guards under the plastron are mandatory for girls. Long hair must be tied back.

(Please make sure your equipment is named – forgotten equipment (usually expensive) is a lot easier to reunite with its owner if it is named.)

 

FOIL:

U12/14 - maximum blade size 3

U16/18 - blade size 5.

Lame foil bibs with connecting straight wire are compulsory for U16 /U18.

EPEE:

U12/U14 – maximum blade size 2,

U16/U18 – blade size 5

SABRE:

U12/U14 – maximum blade size 2,

U16/U18 – blade size 5

800N/CEN2 glove for all age groups

To assist with the smooth running of the event, each fencer must have at least two working weapons and body wires at the piste as well as the correct clothing.

There will not be an armourer at the competitions.

The link to the rules and penalty chart can be found here: https://www.britishfencing.com/the-fie-rulebooks/

Spectators:

·       there is a viewing gallery in the Sports Hall – only fencers, coaches/one supporter and officials are allowed in the fencing area.

·       Only fencers are allowed access to the changing rooms.

·       Please wear soft soled shoes in the venue – We are liable for any damage to the floors.

CONTACT NUMBERS ON THE DAY SHOULD YOU BE DELAYED OR NOT ATTENDING

Marcus Messer – 07908320373

David Bradley – 07974781595

Lorna Cooke – 07795833105

If you are unwell, held up or not attending the event please contact the organisers as soon as possible so that we can start without delaying. We try hard to work around problems but if there is no notification from you we will start the competition without you and you may well lose your place.

 

Food and Drink

There will be some catering at the venue (at least hot drinks and snacks) so you should consider bringing food and drink with you although there is a Waitrose across from the school.

IMPORTANT:  No nuts or Tuna. The venue has a policy of no nuts or tuna on site.

Progression to the British Youth Championships (BYCs)

 

Fencers who qualify for the National BYC’s on 03/05/25 – 04/05/25 at the EIS Sheffield will be invited directly by British Fencing to enter the BYCs via Sport80 after the regional cut-off date of the end of March 2024. If a fencer wishes to turn their place down on the day, the next fencer may be offered the place.

 

BYC Qualification – 1-16 entries = 8 qualify; 17-19 entries = 9 qualify; 20-22 entries = 10 qualify; 23-25 entries = 11 qualify 26-28 entries = 12 qualify; 29-31 entries = 13 qualify; 32+ entries = 14 qualify

Please contact the organisers before leaving the venue to confirm whether you have qualified and wish to accept your place at the BYC’s

BYC Byes from 2025 -  If you have a bye from last year please let us know – as it affects the qualifying calculations & we need to confirm to BF that you wish to exercise the Bye (even if you decide not to fence at our qualifier)

 

Please note that by entering this event you are giving permission to SOUTHERN Region Fencing to contact you about this and future events organised by SOUTHERN Region Fencing. Your data will not be passed to third parties. You can remove yourself from the list using the unsubscribe option in any automated emails to you.

In addition, you agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to any governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club/home country/regional/county affiliation, results, age category, penalties.

 

Photography – BF have a photography policy ( 8 Photography Policy (britishfencing.com) ) please read this if you wish to take photographs or video. We will have a consent form at check in. Please let the organisers know if you do not wish to be photographed. The intention is publish a selection of photographs on the region’s Website and Facebook page