Competitions

ANUFC runs an extensive series of competitions throughout the year in open, novice and veteran categories. The results of the club competitions are used to determine club rankings. At the end of the year, the first and second placed fencer of each category are acknowledged at our club awards night.

In addition to club competitions, we encourage club members to participate in regional, state and national level competitions. Details are available in the club calendar. The club may provide resources to support members participation in designated competitions—please see a member of the committee for more details.

Calendar

All ANUFC, ACTFA, relevant NSWFA and AFF competitions are listed in the Calendar. The Calendar includes club, regional, state and national competitions.

Venue

All ANUFC competitions are held at the ANU Sports Hall, unless otherwise advised. Details of other competitions will be provided to members as it is received.

Categories

In all weapons, the club level competition categories are:

  • Open
  • Novice
  • Veteran

Other relevant competition categories run by ACTFA, NSWFA and AFF include:

  • Junior (Under 20)
  • Under 23
  • Masters

The ACTFA definition of a Novice Fencer applies to club novice competitions:

Any fencer that first appeared on a Ranking list for any weapon, from anywhere in Australia, less than 4 years ago, and that has not been awarded Champion Novice fencer in any state in Australia.

Eligibility

ANUFC members are eligible to compete in club-level competitions. Non-members are eligible to compete in ANUFC run competitions, but they need to be affiliated with their respective state association.

ANUFC members must be affiliated with ACTFA to participate in UniGames and compete in regional, state and national level competitions.

Competition Entries

Individual entries for ANUFC competitions are made online through the club website. Once fencers submit their entry form, payment must be made to the DT (Directoire Technique—the organisers) on the day of the competition.

Individual entries for ACTFA, NSWFA and AFF competitions are made online through their respective websites. In some cases, a late entry fee applies after the closing date. Make sure you check the details of the competition you are entering.

Fencers should arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the advertised start of the competition. The DT will not delay the competition, and late arrivals will be removed from the competition list.

Competition Entry Fees

ANUFC charges a standard competition entry fee for club level competitions. The current competition entry fee is a flat rate of $10, and must be paid prior to participating in the event.

A different competition entry fee will apply to the ANUFC Annual, held in August. Details will be released closer to the date.

Competition entry fees vary between competition categories and levels. Please ensure you check the details of the competitions you are entering.

Competition Management

Club level competitions are managed by an office called the 'Directoire Technique', commonly referred to as the 'DT'. Members of the DT set the format for the competition, allocate fencers to pools and DE bouts, assign referees, record and declare results, and deal with matters concerning the running of the competition. Up to three members of ANUFC will be assigned to DT club level competitions.

Safety Standards and Equipment

Safety standards for each competition category and level are provided at the Safety page.

A limited amount of equipment is available for use by ANUFC members for competitions held at the club. Members should submit an equipment request form to the Armourer if they require equipment for competitions not held at the club. The club does not generally provide FIE equipment.

Competition Format

The competition format is set by the DT and generally follows international practice. The DT uses a software programme called 'Engarde' to manage the competition.

There are two stages to a competition: a preliminary pools rounds when fencers compete in groups and are then ranked; and a Direct Elimination (DE) round, which is a 'knock-out' competition.

Pools

Fencers are divided in pools of up to 7 fencers. The allocation of fencers to pools is determined by the DT. Each fencer face every other fencer in their pool in bouts of 5 hits within 3 minutes. At the end of each pool, fencers are ranked using the Engarde system. Pool rankings will determine the 'tableau' used in the Direct Elimination stage.

Direct Elimination

Higher ranked fencers face lower ranked fencers in bouts of 15 hits in three 3 minute sessions with a one minute break between sessions. This applies to Foil and Epee. A break session will occur in Sabre bouts once a fencer reaches 8 points.

The field of fencers is progressively reduced from 32, 16, 8, 4 and then the final bouts.

For novice and veteran competitions, the points target is 10 hits scored in two sessions of three minutes with a one minute break between sessions.

Results and Rankings

The results of all ANUFC club competitions are published on the results and rankings page. Non club-members are not included in the rankings; points allocated to their final position in the competition will not be reallocated to ANU Fencers.