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Mandatory Training
USA Fencing has partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to offer online SafeSport training for our members. It is a U.S. Center for SafeSport requirement for USA Fencing coaches, volunteers, referees, committee members, vendors, staff and those that have regular contact with minor fencers to complete online training on an annual basis. SafeSport training will be required at the time of membership renewal and will be valid for the membership year. Additionally, the online training is offered at no additional cost to all adult members and can be accessed online through your USA Fencing member dashboard at member.usafencing.org.
Coach, +CheckEd and +Coach members must first complete the core course that includes three 30-minute modules:
- Sexual Misconduct Awareness training
- Emotional and Physical Misconduct
- Mandatory Reporting
The year following the completion of the Core Training, a 30-minute refresher course will be available through your USA Fencing membership profile and completion of the refresher course will satisfy the SafeSport training requirement.
For additional information, please contact the USA Fencing FenceSafe Manager at FenceSafe@usafencing.org.
Optional Training
Parent SafeSport Course
An online course was developed by the U.S. Center for SafeSport for parents of athletes of all ages. Titled "Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sport," this course explains the issues of misconduct in sport and helps parents ensure their children have a positive and safe sport experience. To take this free, 30 minute course click here.
SafeSport Training for Adult Athletes
Do you know adult athletes who would benefit from important SafeSport™ Trained Core learnings, tailored to their specific role, in just 20 minutes? This course summarizes valuable athlete safety concepts — cultural, technical, and legal — with real-world examples relevant to common situations adult athletes may face.
Youth Athlete Training Course
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is now offering a Youth Athlete Training course.
SAFESPORT™ For Youth Athletes (AGE 13+): This 15-minute course focuses on bullying and hazing prevention, supporting friends who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct, and resources for reporting. Parental consent for registration is required.
Access the course here.
To view the U.S. Center for SafeSport Online Training Catalog click here. This catalog includes descriptions of both mandatory and optional training.
Supplemental Athlete Safety Training: 2024-25 Season Update#
At USA Fencing, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for all our members. With this goal in mind, we've developed the “Supplemental Athlete Safety Training” program. This program offers an additional level of education to our highest and most experienced participants and encompasses a range of areas crucial to athlete safety and well-being — including sexual harassment prevention and 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.
Who Needs to Take the Training
This essential training will continue to be required for coaches and officials 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, it is available to all members should you be interested in learning more.
Frequency
The training will be required every two years for the specific roles listed above.
Options for the 2024-25 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, OR
- Completing the Understanding Mandatory Reporting (especially recommended for officials or staff), OR
- Having completed any of the supplemental training options in the 2023-24 season.
Dual-Role Members
If you're both a coach and an official, you only need to complete one of the above options.
Important note for 2024-25 season
Those individuals who completed the training during the 2023-24 season will not have to take another training until the 2025-26 season as your training is valid for 2 years.
Updates to members’ accounts will go into place on Aug. 1 to reflect your status. Again, if you completed the Creating a Culture of Belonging or Understanding Mandatory Reporting training during the 2023-24 Season, you will not need to take another training in the 2024-25 season.
How to Find the Training
The necessary training can be accessed directly on your membership profile at member.usafencing.org. That’s also where you’ll determine whether you have already satisfied the requirements."Creating a Cul
ture of Belonging" course through the Coach Education Program in Fence Lab. "Understanding Mandatory Reporting" can be accessed directly through the US Center for SafeSport Website here.You can login using the same e-mail address that you use for your USA Fencing membership profile, click "get Trained Now" and click on the "Understanding Mandatory Reporting" course.
How to Know if You've Met the Requirements:
- The National Office will be uploading new course completions on Tuesday of each week.
- You can find confirmation of your course completion and expiration dates on your membership dashboard (see screenshot).
Future Offerings
New content will be provided every year for those needing to complete the training to meet their once-every-two-years requirement.
With these targeted resources in our training arsenal, USA Fencing is empowering members to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Questions can be direct to information@usafencing.org
Thanks for your help in creating a safe and dynamic community for all in the world of fencing!