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GBR Pathway Programme > Joining the GBR Pathway

Please note: the GBR Pathway was formerly known as the ADP (Athlete Development Programme) until late 2024.

Before applying to join the Pathway please read the introduction to the programme here, which summarises the purpose, our values, and what we deliver. Please also take time to familiarise yourself with the Athlete Pathway. In particular the Pathway Stage Descriptions as your application to join will be assessed in relation to these.

The application window for the start of the 2026-27 season is now closed. There will be another application window open in January 2027.

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The GBR Pathway is designed to support the development of athletes who have the attributes – including attitude, commitment and ability – to move up the Pathway to success at senior and para international level, specifically World Championship, Olympic and Paralympic level.

Whilst results and rankings are a part of the application process, athletes are not automatically eligible to join simply based on results or rankings.

Applications will be assessed based on evidence relating to the Fencer Pathway Model and a number of the BF Pathway Stage Components such as:

  • Behaviour and Commitment
  • Adaptability & Decision Making
  • Technical Excellence
  • Age and stage appropriate ability to tolerate mental and physical load
  • Performance/Results
  • Training Environments
  • Support (Coaches, SS&M, Parents)
  • Competition Targets

The eligibility criteria to apply to join the Pathway are:

  • A birth year of 2013 or older
  • A satisfactory disciplinary record
  • A suitable performance level to demonstrate potential to achieve; this normally is demonstrated via the BF Ranking list

If you are 21 years old or over, at pathway stage T4 or above, and are not part of the Pathway or receiving camp invites, please contact: gbr_support@britishfencing.com

For athletes applying to join at T1/T2 pathway levels (Sport England-funded pathway activities), there is an annual two-stage application process.

The first stage of the T1/T2 application process will require athletes to provide:

  • Evidence of having an idea of where you want to get to, in and out of fencing, and some ideas of the steps needed to get there.
  • Evidence of goals for fencing, academics, and other interests (process, performance, outcome), set and agreed with your coach.
  • Evidence that you have in place a basic training and competition plan.
  • Evidence that you have a suitable support structure in place (personal coach, parental/guardians support where appropriate).

Evidence should include:

  • A Personal Statement written by the athlete which provides, in their own words, their overarching values, motivation, and ambitions in fencing, education and/or professionally.
  • A Plan/profile including
    • An integrated training plan that you use to balance your different time commitments and responsibilities
    • A seasonal competition plan that matches your competition goals, with an associated understanding of costs.
    • A medium term (2-3 year) plan that aligns your fencing ambitions with other lifestyle factors (education, exams, work etc)
  • Parental Statement For athletes who are U18, a short statement that includes:
    • Parental values, motivation, and ambitions for their child.
    • Parental performance ethos and description of their role in their child’s fencing career.
    • A commitment to promoting athlete autonomy and problem solving, allowing athletes to develop ‘self-coaching skills’.
    • Committed to supporting athletes to share feedback in a constructive manner to drive performance.

For athletes aged 18 and over it is the expectation of the programme that athletes are independent, resilient and manage their own interactions with the programme. For parents/guardians still intending to be involved with the administration and management of the athlete’s participation in the programme, please submit a parental statement as above plus a short explanation and description of if, how and when these responsibilities will be transferred to the athlete.

  • Support Staff/Coach CVs  As a minimum criteria, the personal coaches of athletes wishing to join the Pathway, fencing coaches must be a minimum of Level 2 on the BF Coach Register (or their Federation equivalent), with a satisfactory disciplinary and safeguarding record.

There is an additional opportunity to join the Pathway via the Diploma in Sport Excellence (DiSE) programme, although the bulk of the places available are expected to be taken up by existing Pathway fencers. The DiSE application window is likely to be open in May 2027, see https://www.britishfencing.com/gbr-pathway-programme-zone/dise/

2026 / 27 Dates

Confirmed 2026-27 GBR Development Camps are as follows
29th – 30th August 2026
27th – 28th October 2026
12th – 13th December 2026 (Epee and Wheelchair Fencing)
21st – 22nd December 2026 (Foil and Sabre)
1st – 2nd April 2027
17th – 18th July 2027

If athletes are selected for major events, there will be additional GBR preparation camps for those selected athletes, these dates are
3rd – 4th January 2027 (C&J European Championships)
30th – 31st March 2027 (C&J World Championships)

Return to the GBR Pathway Programme Zone

Last updated 17 Aug 2026