USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep saying it: At USA Fencing, we’re committed to providing a positive, inclusive and safe environment for all our members. 

With this goal in mind, we’re proud to announce a change to our safety training initiatives — an update to the training that’s required for coaches, officials and staff working at national tournaments.

These changes will take effect on Dec. 1, 2023, with the December 2023 SJCC + Division NAC in Richmond, Va.

Last season, coaches, officials and staff were required to complete Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. Going forward, that program has evolved into what we’re calling “Supplemental Athlete Safety Training.” This updated name better reflects the broader scope of the education provided, encompassing a range of areas crucial to athlete safety and well-being — including sexual harassment prevention and much more.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport requires that we take steps that exceed the minimum standards for athlete safety, and continuing our education efforts in this way will ensure a welcoming and secure space for members to focus on what they love most: the sport of fencing.

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Who Needs to Take the Training: This essential training will continue to be required for coaches, officials and staff working at national tournaments (North American Cup series tournaments, Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals). To be very clear, these requirements are mandatory for these specific roles only — not for all members of USA Fencing. However, the trainings are available to all members who are interested in further educating themselves.

• Frequency: The training will be required every two years for the specific roles noted above.

• Options for the 2023-24 Season: For this season, the requirement can be satisfied in one of three ways:

  • Completing the "Creating a Culture of Belonging" course through the Coaching Education Program in FenceLab (a course that’s already required for those needed to complete their Coaching Education requirements), OR

  • Completing the Understanding Mandatory Reporting through the U.S. Center for SafeSport (especially recommended for officials and/or staff), OR

  • Having completed the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training during the 2022-23 season.

• Dual-Role Members: If you're both a coach and an official, you only need to complete one of the above options.

• How to Know if You've Already Met the Requirements:

  • You can find confirmation of your course completion and expiration dates on your membership dashboard at member.usafencing.org (see screenshot below).

  • The National Office will be uploading new course completions on Tuesday of each week moving forward.

• How to Find and Take the Training: The necessary training can be accessed as follows:

  • "Creating a Culture of Belonging" course through the Coach Education Program in Fence Lab directly from your membership profile.

  • "Understanding Mandatory Reporting" can be accessed directly through the US Center for SafeSport Website here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/training-and-education/safesport-courses-for-all/

    • You can login using the same e-mail address that you use for your USA Fencing membership profile and click on the "Understanding Mandatory Reporting" course.

• Future Offerings: New content will be provided every year for those needing to complete the training to meet their once-every-two-years requirement.

We’ve also included information related to this training requirement on our website here.

With these targeted resources in our training arsenal, USA Fencing is empowering members to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Thanks for your help in creating a safe and dynamic community for all in the world of fencing.

The requirement will first go into effect starting with the December SJCC and Division I NAC, held Dec. 1-4, 2023.

Questions should be directed to information@usafencing.org.