Funding from NGBs

Fencing in Britain has two tiers of governing body. The elite end of the sport is governed by British Fencing who take responsibility for selecting GB teams for the Olympics, the World and European Championships at Senior, Junior (U20) and Cadet (U17) levels.

At a lower level, each of the home countries have their own NGB, England Fencing, Scottish Fencing, Welsh Fencing, and the Northern Ireland Fencing Union.

British Fencing Cadet Potential Programme

This is a new initiative started in 2007. Fencers are invited to participate based on their position in the cadet (U17) ranking lists - in the 2007-8 season it was the top 6 from each weapon. This scheme is aimed at helping fencers create a personal fitness plan to maximise their competitive success. Limited funding is available to selected fencers only to help with travel to sessions, and accommodation for the two day evaluations. In 2007/8 each CPP fencer was invited to apply for the British Fencing allocation of Sports Aid grants of £500. SportsAid, in partnership with Fitness First, offered free gym membership to many athletes, worth about £400 per athlete.

You can find out more about Sport Aid from their website here and about how they work with British Fencing by reading this article on the BF site.

TASS

The Talented Althlete Scholarship Scheme is a partnership between the higher and further education sector and sports NGBs. It provides services, training camps etc, plus contributions to competition and training costs to a value of £3000 per athlete. Recipients do not get the actual cash! Applications for TASS grants are made via British Fencing, not directly to TASS. For more info see the TASS website

World Class Performance Pathway

This is British Fencing's most generously funded programme, but is aimed at fencers who are serious prospects for 2012, and who are at the very top of the senior rankings. It is unlikely that a young fencer would be able to access the pathway unless they had absolutely outstanding international results. For more info, click here

England Fencing Junior Support Grants

England Fencing make grants available to individual young fencers between the age of 13 and 18. These are usually relatively modest (up to a few hundred pounds), but the criteria are fairly loosely drawn. Criteria and application forms available here

Support by NGBs for funding applications elsewhere

NGBs are usually willing to write letters in support of funding applications made to other agencies. Contact the BF or EF offices to find the most appropriate person to ask to write a supporting letter.