Club Policies
USFA Membership
As a United States Fencing Association Member Club, it is required that all participants (lessons, classes, open bouting, or tournaments) at FCMC have a valid USFA membership. USFA Memberships are purchased and maintained at www.usafencing.org, with an annual cost of $34 for non-competitive membership and $99 for competitive membership. The period of this membership goes from August 1st to July 31st. There is also an available free 90-day trial membership that can be started at member.usafencing.org/signup. The fencer (or guardian) is responsible for maintaining their USFA membership.
Equipment
The Club will provide all necessary fencing equipment for Class or Lesson participation at the club. If you note damage to any equipment you are using, please report it to Coach Jon immediately. After use, jackets and lames are to be returned to the collection basket, and gloves to the glove basket. General wear and tear on Club equipment is expected, but deliberate damage to any Club equipment will incur a replacement fee.
Athletic shoes and attire are required for participation in Classes and Lessons.
Club equipment may or may not be suitable for competition use, in particular masks and gloves. If you plan on using Club equipment for a tournament, check with Coach Jon first to make sure it is suitable. It is recommended that each competitive fencer have their own set of fencing gear. When you are ready to purchase equipment, it is recommended that you purchase through John Friedberg (while supplies last) or through Absolute Fencing Gear (check with Coach Jon about Absolute pricing and any discounts we might get).
Local, Regional, National, and International Coaching
Strip coaching is a critical part of fencing at any level of competition and may be available at local, Regional, Nationals, or International events. For local events, Coach Jon is freely available for strip coaching, provided notice is given that a fencer will be competing and there are not conflicting events already scheduled. For out of state events, a strip coaching fee will be applied based on the total cost of travel, lodging, and meals distributed by the number of fencers competing and the number of events each fencer is participating in. Coaching availability and fees will be determined by your coach and should be discussed individually.
Disciplinary Issues at the Club
The safety and wellbeing of our fencers is our top priority. In the event of extreme behavioural issues, we reserve the right to refuse business and access to the facility. Examples of behavioural misconduct include, but are not limited to
• Bullying/Hazing
• Harassment
• Regularly disrupting a class or being disrespectful to fellow students/fencers or coaches
• Cursing and vulgar language
• Threats of violence
If a member feels that there is a situation that needs to be addressed, they should feel comfortable reporting any issues to a coach or office staff. All coaches and staff of FCMC have been trained through the US Center for Safe Sport and are here to help any member who needs assistance. All reports will remain confidential.