Listed here are the various competition brackets which FencingSA maintains for its state-based tournaments.
OPEN (OPEN-A) GRADE COMPETITION
Open competitions are the highest level of state competition. They are intended to prepare competitors for competition at national or international level.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or a competition level (capitated) licence from another state fencing association.
- Any fencer of any age may compete in this category.
Be aware that this category is generally populated with adult fencers.
OPEN-B GRADE COMPETITION
The Open-B Grade competition is intended for fencers who are newer to the sport.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or any licence from another state fencing association.
- Any fencer of any age may compete in this category (but young fencers should be aware that this category is generally populated with adult fencers).
- A fencer is permitted to compete in Open-B Grade competitions in any weapon until they have completed any of the following requirements, after which they must advance to the Open-A Grade in the following year.
- Win the Open-B Grade state championships in which at least 8 people competing in that event. The fencer is permitted to compete in Open-B for the remainder of the calendar year, after which the fencer is advanced to Open-A Grade only in the relevant weapon. B Grade status remains for other weapons.
- Attained top 8 result in any AFF event that has a minimum of 32 competitors. The fencer is permitted to compete in Open-B for the remainder of the calendar year, after which the fencer is advanced to Open-A Grade competition in all weapons.
- Attained membership to the Australian National Adult/Senior Squad (2021 onwards) or Australian Fencing Team/Squad (AFT/AFS - 2021 and prior). If membership of the National Squad is confirmed prior to the first FSA Open-B competition of the calendar year, the exclusion applies otherwise the fencer is allowed to continue in Open-B grade until the end of the current calendar year. The fencer advances to Open-A grade in all weapons.
- Members of the National Youth Squad are permitted to fence in Open-B in all weapons.
VETERAN COMPETITION
Veteran competitions are intended to allow elder fencers to compete against other fencers of similar age, fitness and experience.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or competition level (capitated) licence from another state fencing association.
- A fencer is eligible for Veteran competitions from January 1st of the year of their fortieth birthday.
Special Rules
- All Veteran Direct Elimination bouts go to ten points and consist of two (three minute) periods.
UNDER 17 AND UNDER 20 COMPETITION
Cadet and Junior competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and physical development.
U20 & U17 competitions may be run as a combined event with 3rd place fenced. U17 rankings will be applied by the removal of any U20 fencers and application of the results for the U17 fencers.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or competition level (capitated) licence from another state fencing association.
- A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. e.g. A fencer who turns 17 AFTER January 1st may compete in U17 competitions for the duration of the calendar year
UNDER 15 COMPETITION
Youth competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and physical development.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or any licence from another state fencing association.
- A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. e.g. A fencer who turns 15 AFTER January 1st may compete in U15 competitions for the duration of the calendar year.
UNDER 9, UNDER 11, UNDER 13 COMPETITION
Children's competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and physical development.
Eligibility
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or any licence from another state fencing association.
- A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. eg. A fencer who turns 13 AFTER January 1st may compete in U13 competitions for the duration of the calendar year.
Special Rules
- All Direct Elimination bouts go to ten points and consist of two (three minute) periods.
SCHOOLS COMPETITION
The schools competition allows fencers from clubs and schools to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and similar physical development.
FSA may spilt the event into Intermediate (year 8 and below) and Senior (year 9 and above) competitions.
Eligibility (Individual)
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or any licence from another state fencing association.
- Open to all school-age fencers - school program AND club.
Eligibility (Teams)
- Fencers must have any FencingSA Licence, or any licence from another state fencing association.
- Preferably: only open to school / after-school programs (i.e. club teams not permitted)
- At the discretion of the FSA Board, and assessed annually for school-specific competitions, composite (i.e. fencers from multiple school programs) or club teams may be allowed to participate.
Page last updated 5 April 2024
