#ForgingTheFuture Programme - Session 2 - Start With Why

Scottish Fencing’s #ForgingTheFuture Programme, which supports clubs to develop their Changing Lives approach, will run it’s second session this month. The theme of this session is “Start With Why”.

Tuesday 29th June

7.00 - 8.30pm

What is Changing Lives?

A Changing Lives approach to sport is all about intention.

We know that the benefits for participating in fencing (and all sports and physical activity) are huge - improved physical health, mental health and social connections, to name a few. For some people, these benefits are the reason they participate. For others, they are just an additional bonus for doing a sport that they love.

Changing Lives moves the focus away from the sport and onto the participant. With this mindset, clubs and coaches will intentionally use fencing to improve the lives of people and / or their community.

Why is Changing Lives important?

As we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will all be getting use to engaging with our sports in a different way. We also recognise that there will be large groups of people that we previous did not engage with that could really benefit from participating in our sport.

 In 2019, sportscotland launched their new corporate strategy "Sport For Life". For the first time in Scotland, sport is no longer in a silo on it's own, doing sport for sports sake. There is now a greater focus on how sport can affect the national health agenda, education agenda, transport agenda and environmental agenda. Changing Lives recognises the Power of Sport to affect change in people's lives and in our communities.

 By adopting a Changing Lives approach, we will be in a better position to make a greater impact on more people in our communities. This will make our clubs more sustainable.

What is the #ForgingTheFuture Programme?

 9 clubs have signed up for our #ForgingTheFuture programme, and we are delighted that almost a quarter of all fencing clubs in Scotland are dedicated to developing the Changing Lives mindset. We believe doing so will make clubs stronger, more sustainable and make a greater social impact within their local community.

The programme includes:

 ·       Regular #ForgingTheFuture meetings with other clubs to discuss Changing Lives tools, techniques and activities that can be applied to develop their Changing Lives approach.

 ·       Direct support from Scottish Fencing' Pathways Manager to develop a Changing Lives approach.

 ·       Invitations to meet and listen to clubs and community organisations who demonstrate the Changing Lives mindset.

 Sign Up:

If you are still interested in signing up for the programme, please click here - Sign Up for #ForgingTheFuture Programme.

If you would like more information, please contact Blair Cremin (Pathways Manager) at blair.cremin@scottish-fencing.com or on 07912 267 585.

Update from Performance Director & Pathways Manager

Good evening fencers

In April we held a series of online presentations related to Commonwealth Championship preparation and one of the main questions posed was “how will a team be selected?”.  At the time, we had very little information to go on as regards calendar and the type of competitions which may be permitted given the likely restrictions in Scotland and the wider UK around group sizes for over and under 18s and of course the likely changes to travel restrictions in Scotland and elsewhere.

Whilst there have recently been some ranking events for Under 18 age groups publicised, there is no requirement from Scottish Fencing for any athlete or their family to travel anywhere for competition at the moment. 

At the briefing sessions we held regarding the Commonwealth Championships, the issue of selection came up and some ideas were received from those who attended those sessions.  

Since those information sessions, a project group has been planning and exploring options for the Commonwealths and an update was provided to the Board on planning including the timeline for the consultation on the selection process.  This was further discussed last night at the June SF Board meeting and agreement made on options to be presented to the members for consultation over July.  I'm working with the SF staff team to get the document finalised and issued early in July.  

I recognise that since those information sessions BF announced that BRCs were starting up and that more events have been advertised and that BF have also been consulting on changes to the Ranking Scheme and all of these will have raised questions as to the commonwealth selection.  We'll address these in the options to be consulted on.

We realise there may be enthusiasm to collect ranking points but we absolutely do not require any Scottish athlete to begin travelling around the country just now, particularly if any family member or member of the same household is at higher risk of COVID infection.

Paul Vaughan - SF Performance Director

Blair Cremin - SF Pathways Manager

Dear Coach... Thank You!

7th - 13th June is UK Coaching Week, and to celebrate, we would like to say THANK YOU to all of our amazing coaches across the country.

THANK YOU for helping us learn how to fence.

THANK YOU for giving us places to come together with friends.

THANK YOU for giving up your time for others.

THANK YOU for the work you do that will never be seen.

THANK YOU for encouraging us to stay healthy and active.

THANK YOU for the hours spent planning for and reflecting upon coaching sessions.

THANK YOU for taking us to competitions and events.

THANK YOU for continually adapting your sessions so they are COVID compliant.

THANK YOU for helping us to realise our potential in our wonderful sport.

THANK YOU.

Do you have anything you would add to this list? If so, email us at blair.cremin@scottish-fencing.com.

Scottish Fencing Updated Guidance 17 May 2021

Please find Scottish Fencing’s updated guidance here

If you have any questions please email us at admin@scottish-fencing.com

As the country has different levels of restrictions please pay close attention to what is applicable to the region your club is located in. Also note that if a club member has travelled to your session from a region with a higher level of restriction then the session can only run with the group numbers and activities that are permitted in their region.

These levels may change - announcements can be made at short notice so if you are unsure which level of restrictions apply you can use the Scottish Governments post code checker which is here

and we recommend you also refer to British Fencing’s Updated Equipment Cleaning protocols and Scottish Fencing’s Adaptive Training Guidance for further advice.

Scottish Fencing social media boycott

Scottish Fencing will stand with the wider sports community by staying quiet on our social and digital channels from 3pm on Friday April 30th to 0900 on Tuesday May 4th.

We are committed to supporting the message no one should face abuse, racism or harassment online in any form.

During this time we will not post or respond to messages on our channels to show our solidarity with anyone who has faced discrimination online. We support the call for social media firms to proactively identify and suspend any account engaging in any form of harassment.

Updated Return to Sport and Physical Activity Guidance 26 April 2021

With Scotland moving to Level 3 on the 26 April 2021 our under 18 fencers can now return to indoor training.

You can read our full guidance here

and we recommend you also refer to British Fencing’s Updated Equipment Cleaning protocols and Scottish Fencing’s Adaptive Training Guidance for further advice.

Any questions please email admin@scottish-fencing.com

Board Update

Yesterday the Board had its first meeting since the election of Directors on 18 March. It has appointed George Liston to act as the Chair of Scottish Fencing Ltd until March 2025.

As there are now two female and six male directors, the Board also agreed to use the power in the Articles to appoint a woman as an Additional Director to bring its gender balance to at least the 30% which best practice regards as a minimum. (The membership currently sits at 31% female). There will be an open recruitment for this position alongside the forthcoming recruitment to fill the vacancy for an Independent Director.

The Board has still to decide exactly how it will allocate portfolios of responsibilities, but the two new Directors will use the e-mail addresses equalities@scottish-fencing.com for Mhairi McLaughlin and president@scottish-fencing.com for Stan Stoodley. The full list of revised portfolio responsibilities will be published when it is finalised.

The other Board e-mail addresses are: chair, development, finance, governance, hr and performance @scottish-fencing.com.

The address safeguarding@scottish-fencing.com is no longer a Board address but delivers to Ross Morrison who continues as SF's Safeguarding Officer.

Women & Girls Forum

If you are passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to participate in fencing, then we want you on our team! Scottish Fencing are currently looking for such people to join our new Women & Girls Forum.

Despite the Scottish population being 52% female, women & girls currently represent just over 32% of total Scottish Fencing membership. Females are under-represented on the British Fencing Coaches register and the British Fencing referee register. 

The Scottish Fencing Women & Girls Forum aims to work with clubs to identify and develop opportunities for females to participate, grow and thrive in fencing.

The purpose of the Women & Girls Forum is as follows:

• Re-engaging the female fencing community as we move out of lockdown.

• Addressing the under-representation of females within the Scottish Fencing membership.

• Scottish Government has highlighted the need for more opportunities for women & girls in sport and physical activity in Scotland.

The Forum will meet 3-4 times per year to share best practice and common challenges. The learning from the Forum will then be used to support clubs that are committed to addressing such issues.

Our first meeting:

Wednesday 12th May

7.30 - 8.30pm

To sign up, click here - Scottish Fencing - Women & Girls Forum

For more information, please contact Blair Cremin (Pathways Manager) on blair.cremin@scottish-fencing.com.

Updated Return to Sport and Physical Activity Guidance 16 April 2021

You can find Scottish Fencing’s updated guidance here

Please note:

Travel:

From Friday 16 April, some travel restrictions will be relaxed to allow travel across Scotland for the purposes of meeting outdoors with friends and family. This will allow travel for informal physical activity, but not for organised sport. Travel restrictions for wider purposes - including organised sport, leisure, shopping, visiting hospitality premises or staying in tourist accommodation will remain until 26 April.

Outdoor gatherings:

Up to 6 adults from 6 households can meet outside. The exemption for groups of up to 15 adults taking part in organised outdoor non-contact sport and physical activity remains.

Scottish Fencing #ForgingTheFuture Programme

Scottish Fencing are excited to launch a new club development programme - the #ForgingTheFuture programme - and would like to invite all interested clubs to attend our virtual information evening on Thursday 22nd April at 7pm.

The #ForgingTheFuture programme will be focused on Changing Lives Through Sport. Clubs who participate will be supported to develop a Changing Lives mindset and approach.

What is Changing Lives?

A Changing Lives approach to sport is all about intention.

We know that the benefits for participating in fencing (and all sports and physical activity) are huge - improved physical health, mental health and social connections, to name a few. For some people, these benefits are the reason they participate. For others, they are just an additional bonus for doing a sport that they love.

Changing Lives moves the focus away from the sport and onto the participant. With this mindset, clubs and coaches will intentionally use fencing to improve the lives of people and / or their community.

Why is Changing Lives important?

As we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will all be getting use to engaging with our sports in a different way. We also recognise that there will be large groups of people that we previous did not engage with that could really benefit from participating in our sport.

In 2019, sportscotland launched their new corporate strategy "Sport For Life". For the first time in Scotland, sport is no longer in a silo on it's own, doing sport for sports sake. There is now a greater focus on how sport can affect the national health agenda, education agenda, transport agenda and environmental agenda. Changing Lives recognises the Power of Sport to affect change in people's lives and in our communities.

By adopting a Changing Lives approach, we will be in a better position to make a greater impact on more people in our communities. This will make our clubs more sustainable.

What is the #ForgingTheFuture Programme?

Following the information evening, clubs will be invited to sign up to the #ForgingTheFuture programme. Over approx. 12 months, this will involve:

·       Regular #ForgingTheFuture meetings with other clubs to discuss Changing Lives tools, techniques and activities that can be applied to develop their Changing Lives approach.

·       Direct support from Scottish Fencing' Pathways Manager to develop a Changing Lives approach.

·       Invitations to meet and listen to clubs and community organisations who demonstrate the Changing Lives mindset.

Information Evening

Our information evening will allow us to explain our perspective on the Changing Lives mindset / approach, and give further information on the #ForgingTheFuture programme.

Thursday 22nd April

7.00pm – 8.00pm

To sign up, click here - #ForgingTheFuture – Information Evening – Sign Up

If you would like more information, please contact Blair Cremin (Pathways Manager) at blair.cremin@scottish-fencing.com or on 07912 267 585.