The updated Senior Team Selection Policy for Welsh Fencing has now been ratified by the WF executive board. This policy covers selection for Senior teams for the 5 Nation’s, Commonwealth and Winton Cup events. The full policy document is available via this link: link
Fencers are strongly advised to read the full document and in particular to confirm their eligibility to represent Wales against the criteria detailed.
Selection will be based primarily on GB Senior rankings, but will also take account of performance in the Welsh Closed Championships, and all those competing for selection are strongly advised to enter this event.
In brief, selection criteria are as follows:
5 Nations: Top 2 in GB rankings at each weapon (so long as they are in the top 30) plus winner of the Welsh Closed Championship (so long as in top 30 of GB rankings). Remaining places to make up team of 4 at each weapon will be at the discretion of the selection panel.
Commonwealth Championships: Top 3 in the GB rankings at each weapon (so long as they are in the top 30) plus possible additional places at the discretion of selection panel up to a maximum of 5 at each weapon. Please note that only those individuals and teams felt to have genuine medal prospects will be selected and that full teams may not be sent. The panel will not select weaker fencers simply to “make up the numbers”.
Winton Cup: Priority will generally be given to those who either live or fence in Wales. The top 2 in the GB rankings at each weapon who meet either of these criteria, and the winner of the Welsh Closed Championships (so long as they either live or train in Wales) will be selected provided they are of a suitable standard (approx.. top 50 – 100 in GB rankings, depending on weapon). Remaining places to make up team of 4 at each weapon will be at the discretion of selection panel
The Selection Panel for the 2013-2014 season, including the 2014 Commonwealth Championships will be:
Chair: Mark Nelson-Griffiths (Foil representative)
Neale Thomas (Epee representative)
Jim Crawfurd (Sabre representative)
Administrative Support (with no role in selection decisions) - By WF
The Chair of the Selection Panel will ensure that any conflicts of interest are declared and dealt with appropriately.
Key dates for 2013-2014
Welsh Closed Championships 2013 – April 14th – Cardiff – closing date 7th April
Winton Cup 2013 – April 20th/21st – Nottingham – Selection Date 4th March
5 Nations 2013 – November 3rd/4th – Scotland – Selection Date 2nd September
Commonwealth Fencing Championships 2014 – 10th – 15th November 2014 – Scotland – Selection Date 7th July 2014
A lot of thought has gone into the selection policy with the aim of providing a clear and transparent goal for fencers (essentially top 30 in GB rankings and top 2 or 3 of those eligible to fence for Wales) whilst allowing selectors sufficient flexibility to ensure that they pick the strongest team available.
Welsh Fencing are keen to build the strongest team we can over the next 18 months in preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Championships and would urge all those wishing to be considered for selection to step up their training and aim for their GB rankings to peak in June 2014 just ahead of the selection date. Welsh Fencing are also keen to organise squad training sessions – details will be discussed with fencers at the Welsh Closed Championships in April
