Hello everyone
This week, our first domestic competition of 2022 kicks off at St Georges School in Edinburgh albeit in an augmented fashion. We are able to run the Scottish Youth Championships for those under 18 which sadly means our U20 age group will need to compete for their titles another time, however it is set to be a great weekend and we will bring you some coverage on socials and the SF website over the course of the weekend.
I hope you join me in wishing the best of luck to everyone competing.
Also, in the last few days our CEO Vincent Bryson has been engaging with Scottish Government and other sports to seek clarity on when the restrictions preventing adult contact sport may be lifted. The CEO Forum is a key part of the strategic dialogue between governing bodies and Scottish Government, Active Scotland and sportscotland and having our CEO as Chair of the Forum means Scottish Fencing is playing a key part in this dialogue.
These conversations were pivotal in ensuring U18 athletes could still receive lessons from coaches as we confirmed before Christmas and is also driving the debate around the benefits of contact sport indoor as a key vehicle for health, wellbeing, community and the nations recovery from the pandemic.
The CEO Forum has received a response from the Minister and SF will be engaging with government staff as a part of the Forum over the next few days. There will be a weekly update to parliament from the First Minister on January 18th.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone the Scottish Open takes place on February 26/27 2022 at Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs. Entries are open via Sport80 and I’d like to express my deepest thanks for the work going on behind the scenes from staff and volunteers to make what is sure to be a fantastic and fun event.
One last reminder, all members should have had the British Fencing Equality Survey sent to their registered email. It would be fantastic to have as many Scottish Fencing members complete the survey as possible to aid with our equality objectives for the future.
I look forward to seeing you in Largs or indeed on or near a Piste sometime in 2022.
Stan Stoodley
President
Scottish Fencing
#ForgingTheFuture
