This page was last updated on: 06/07/07

Organizer (also often referred to as Regional Youth Circuit Organizing Committee) is a volunteer position reporting to the Regional Youth Circuit Coordinator (Coordinator) for their Region and the USFA Youth Development Committee (YDC).

The role of the Organizer is outlined below.  The Coordinator will consider a number of different criteria when selecting an Organizer.  The primary selection criteria will relate to the knowledge and experience of the Organizer to host a youth tournament and their ability to host a RYC tournament.  The Coordinator reserves the right to replace an Organizer that does not act in the best interests of youth fencers in their Region as determined by the Coordinator and the YDC.

Hosting Club Requirements                           Athlete Responsibilities                 Athlete Coaches Spectator Rights

Requirements for Hosting an RYC Tournament

1. The Organizer must provide a confirmed date for their RYC tournaments.  That date must consider the USFA calendar, any Super Youth Circuit tournaments that have been previously scheduled, and Divisional or Sectional tournaments, and any important holidays.  The Organizer must also have a confirmed location for the RYC tournament.  The Coordinator and the YDC will provide the Organizer information on other potential conflicts to the extent that this is information is available at the time the schedule for the RYC season is established.

2. The Organizer must provide the Coordinator with the results of the RYC tournament within two weeks of their completion

3. The Organizer must reserve a full size basketball gym or a similar size venue that will be able to host 150-175 fencers over the period of 2 days and their friends and families. There must be ample space available for fencers, parents, coaches, and equipment so as not to interfere with the safe running of the event.

4. Organizers are required to use knowledgeable referees.

5. Coaches with athletes participating may not act as referees in the event in which their athletes are participants.

6. The Organizer must ensure that all RYC tournaments conform to tournament rules established by the USFA with respect to any USFA-sanctioned event for a local tournament.  In particular:

   • the tournaments must have strips (whether grounded or not) that are of regulation size,

   • equipment used by fencers meets minimum required standards for safety,

   • electronic scoring equipment for the fencers and the tournament are in compliance with current USFA standards and rules

7. Tournaments must be posted, and registration conducted, through AskFred.net.  This will ensure that fencers and their families have access to information regarding the tournament and the other fencers entered in the tournament.  Using AskFred.net also provides an important way for Organizers to plan their event based on pre-registrations. 

8. Tournament scoring must be recorded using the Fencing Time computer software program.  While many clubs are capable of scoring tournaments manually, Fencing Time provides a way to upload results to AskFred.net immediately upon completion of the tournament, in a standardized format.

9. The events will be held in all three weapons for the age groups Y10, Y12, and Y14.  Events may be held at separate locations for different weapons and different age groups.

10. All events may be mixed (girls and boys) if there are fewer than 6 entries of one gender.  Regional points (where applicable) will only be awarded according to the final results of the competition.

11. Organizers must award separate prizes for the boys’ and girls’ results.  Each event organizer must give awards to at least the top three boys’ and girls’ in each event.  There will not be a fence off for the bronze medal.

12. Official USFA rules must be enforced at each tournament.  Any Organizer hosting a RYC tournament that does not have a USFA rulebook, or that needs assistance in this area, should notify the RYC Coordinator prior to the tournament.

13. Weapons will be checked (weights, shims, etc.) during pools and direct eliminations for all events.  Y10 fencers must use weapons with blades that are no longer than 32.5".

14. All fencers must be current USFA competitive members in good standing.  USFA membership must be offered at the door to all athletes.  If the athlete forgets their membership card they must fill out the form and pay for their membership for the protection of all parties.  Once their membership is verified the check may be destroyed or money sent back.  Money collected for membership should be kept separate from all other funds collected.

15. Seeding must be based on the following factors in this order.
    

    • National Rolling Point Standing.

    • Classification and year.

    • If athlete has neither National Points nor a weapon classification they will be seeded on a random basis with the other athletes in the same situation.

16. Pools will be posted for all athletes to see.

17. Results of the pools will be posted listing indicators and victories at least 5 minutes before the Direct Elimination table is posted.

18. Disciplinary Rules for Competitions described in the USFA Rule Book must be enforced at all RYC competitions. Everybody taking part in or present at the competitions must remain orderly and must not disturb the smooth running of the competitions. During bouts no on is allowed to go near the pistes, to give advice to the fencers, to criticize the Referee or the judges, to insult them or to attempt to influence them in any way.

19. The instructors, coaches, trainers, technicians, parents, and other visitors are not allowed to remain near their fencers in the piste enclosure during the competition. The Referee may, whenever he considers it necessary, authorize a person to come briefly to the assistance of a fencer.The organizers must provide the necessary space for these people.

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    Responsibilities of Athletes

    It is the responsibility of the athlete to be prepared for the competition and to report to strip with all the necessary equipment in good repair. 

    Athletes must be able to prove that they are competitive members of the USFA, members in good standing of another National Federation, or current FIE license holders.

    Athletes without proof of membership must fill out all appropriate forms and pay for membership.  Payment will be returned if membership can be verified

    Athletes are responsible for checking posted seeding, pool sheets and posted results for accuracy.  Any inaccuracies must be reported within 5 minutes of posting.

    Once the DE table has begun the posted results become final.

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    Rights of Athletes, Coaches, and Spectators

    To expect that the event will be run in a safe and timely manner.

    To expect the use of knowledgeable and impartial referees.

    To have the use of ample space for participants, equipment and spectators, allowing for the running of a safe event 

    To compete without the interference of parents, coaches or other spectators.

     

    Comments regarding your experience at RYC events are welcome.
    Use the contact form on the website or email RYC Coordinator valerie@emfc.net.

    
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