USA Fencing

The USA Fencing National Office is aware that there are concerns regarding the allocation of the 2016-17 regional tournaments.

It is unfortunate that some people have chosen to attack the personal integrity of volunteers who were involved in the initial review process. The members of the Youth Development Committee, Tournament Committee and our regional coordinators are all individuals who devote much personal time to encouraging the development of fencing at the local and regional level. We continue to be thankful for all of their service and their efforts to provide insight into the selection of tournaments in each region that will best suit the needs of our athletes around the nation.    

Final decisions for regional event placement are made by National Office staff, not by the volunteers who serve on the committees that provided feedback on the bids. Regional event awards are based on many factors including: the current bid application for the upcoming season, participant evaluations from previous events and geographic balance. Due to the popularity of regional events, the process is very competitive and staff members are faced with the difficult task of selecting from bids from multiple organizers. While it may be disappointing for organizers to learn a bid was denied based on incomplete information, poor evaluations from past participants, geographic balance and/or scheduling issues, the growth of our regional events means  we are simply unable to grant every bid submitted by every organizer. Many organizers submit multiple bids and all are aware, as stated in the 2016-17 Regional Open Circuit (ROC), Regional Junior / Cadet Circuit (RJCC), Regional Youth Circuit (RYC) and Super Youth Circuit (SYC) Tournament Organizer Requirements and Bid Overview Packet, that bids are not guaranteed acceptance, even if the bidder held a regional event in the past. All are or should be aware that they may face competing bids from new tournament organizers, who are invited to bid in order to promote growth in all areas.

Any tournament organizer who believes that they have concerns regarding the review of their bid may submit a complaint to the Ethics Committee. Earlier this year, the USA Fencing Board of Directors voted to make the Ethics Committee a standing committee for the organization. Among other tasks, the Ethics Committee is charged with reviewing conflict of interest allegations and providing the Board of Directors with recommendations. It is my hope that those who have such concerns will utilize the process provided by the organization to present their views.

I hope this dispels any concerns and criticisms about USA Fencing’s evaluation of regional tournament bids as well as our overall review procedures.