NJFA Youth Cup #5 & Cadet April 24th

NEW JERSEY FENCING ALLIANCE YOUTH CUP & CADET SERIES April 24, 2016 PLEASE NOTE EVENT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND SOME EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. NEW CLOSE OF CHECK IN TIMES ARE POSTED BELOW. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TIMES POSTED REPRESENT THE CLOSE OF CHECK-IN) EVENTS SCHEDULED (TIMES HAVE CHANGED) (8:00) Y14 Mixed Foil (8:00) Y10 Mixed Foil (8:00) Y12 Mixed Sabre (8:00) Cadet Mixed Sabre (8:00) Y10 Mixed Epee (9:15) Y12 Mixed Epee (9:30) Y10 Men's Sabre (9:30) Y10 Women's Sabre (9:30) Y14 Women's Sabre (9:45) Y14 Men's Sabre (10:30) Cadet Mixed Epee (10:30) Cadet Mixed Foil This event is part of the prestigious Youth Cup Series for the 2015-16 season. This competition is for all weapons in the Y-8 to Y-14 age categories and Cadet! DOUBLE YOUTH CUP SERIES POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR THIS EVENT. AT THE FINAL EVENT OF THE SEASON, THIS YEAR'S YOUTH CUP WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING: 1ST PLACE: $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BLUE GAUNTLET FENCING 2ND PLACE: $50 GIFT CERTIFICAT TO BLUE GAUNTLET FENCING 3RD PLACE: $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BLUE GAUNTLET FENCING For Y14 and Cadet Events, DE bouts are 15 touch bouts (3 three minute periods with a 1 minute break between). During the 1 minute breaks, ONE person, designated by the fencer (a teammate, coach, or parent), may be on the strip with the fencer. Cadet events with more than 64 entrants may be subject to an 80% cutoff at the discretion of the Bout Committee. YOUTH CUP SERIES The NJFA Youth Cup Series is comprised of multiple tournaments. Each tournament is a standalone event. The top 8 finishers in the Y8 events will receive medals. The top four finishers in the Y-10, Y-12 & Y-14 events will receive medals. The remainder of the dates of our events will be announced shortly. Follow this tournament live at live.njfencingalliance.com Urgent and important information will be communicated through the FRED e-mail system. It is the fencer's responsibility to verify that your FRED profile contains your correct e-mail address. (http://www.askfred.net then go to "My FRED"). NJFA Series Cup Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers in each event: 1st place will receive 40 points, 2nd place 35 points, points will decrease by 5 points per position through 8th place which will receive 5 points. At the final event of the season the top 3 fencers in each weapon / age category who have accumulated the most NJFA YOUTH CUP SERIES points will be awarded the NJFA Youth Cup prizes. Should there be a tie in the final point standings; the fencer with the highest finish in the final event will be declared the winner. Over 3400 fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico have competed for the coveted Youth Cup title and awards. For more info about the NJFA Youth Cup Series visit New Jersey Fencing Alliance’s web site at http://www.njfencingalliance.com New Jersey Fencing Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which will utilize the proceeds from this event to continue its corporate focus of introducing the sport of fencing to students, at all levels and ages throughout New Jersey who would not have been able to enjoy the sport and all that it provides.... increased self-esteem, confidence and pride. NJFA has helped enrich the lives of hundreds of young children and their families. Along the way our students have experienced exceptional success both athletically and academically. NJFA is proud to have assisted so many students to earn scholarships for colleges including Division I programs not to mention the hundreds of students that have utilized the NJFA network to assist in college acceptance and employment. Fencing will commence approx. 20 to 30 minutes after the close of check-in. Start times are subject to change - check askfred.net for updates. It is recommended that fencers arrive at least 1 hour prior to close of check-in time. This should provide them with ample time to register and have their equipment checked and properly warm-up. NJFA opens at 7:00 am. VENUE: New Jersey Fencing Alliance, 50-58 Burnett Avenue, Maplewood, NJ (use 54 Burnett Avenue for GPS). NJFA is conveniently located near all major highways in NJ, NY, CT, and Pennsylvania. Just off Springfield Avenue (via Vermont St). Only a 30 minute train ride from NYC Penn Station (via NJ Transit Mid-Town Direct; http://www.njtransit.com. NJFA is a fully equipped state-of-the-art fencing salle. This 17,500 sf venue offers 19 grounded official USFA fencing strips with center scoring boxes with repeater lights at each end, men’s and women’s locker rooms, FREE Wireless Internet service, on-site fully equipped Fencing Pro Shop, live results streaming of tournament information, and FREE parking. Overhead monitors also display live results and tournament information. Visit http://www.njfencingalliance.com NJFA is a member of the NJ Division of the USFA: http://www.newjerseyfencing.org/ BOUT COMMITTEE CHAIR: Frank Mustilli ORGANIZER CONTACT: blairstar48@aol.com NJFA prides itself in providing our competitors with qualified referees, an experienced Bout Committee and a friendly staff. TOURNAMENT COMMUNICATION: ON-LINE TOURNAMENT RESULTS: There will be live real-time posting of seeding, pool and strip assignments and results. Live tournament feed: http://live.njfencingalliance.com. Note, prior to the tournament any posted seeding information is preliminary and NOT official. CHECK-IN REQUIREMENTS: The venue will open at 7:00 am. Fencers are required to check-in the day of the competition. Having all required registration paperwork at check-in will expedite the registration process. Fencers who fail to check-in before the published close of check-in time will be removed from the event, and there will be NO entry fee refunds issued. All fencers are REQUIRED to present the following documents at check-in: 1. MEMBERSHIP CARD A valid competitive USFA, other fencing federation, or FIE Membership card. Obtain/renew membership at: https://www.railstation.org/usfencing/Login.aspx?Redirect=Profile.aspx?returnurl=default.aspx. New USFA memberships, new USFA card, or replacement USFA cards can be obtained via USFA. Print membership card https://www.railstation.org/usfencing/Login.aspx?Redirect=Profile.aspx?returnurl=default.aspx. Athletes arriving without proof of USFA or other fencing federation membership must complete all appropriate forms and pay for USFA membership at the registration desk. You may join/renew at the door (parent signature required), however we request that you arrive with a completed form or plan to come early to complete required paperwork. The form can be found at http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/1407/2014-15_REVISED_Individual_Membership_Form.pdf. Please have a separate check payable to "USA Fencing" or you can use your credit card, which is preferred. 2. BIRTH CERTIFICATE Fencers are required to present a copy of their birth certificate, a government-issued photo identification with the date of birth included or a passport. This is not required if your birth year has not been verified by USFA and your USFA card indicates "Birth Year Verified – Y”. We suggest, PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, that if the membership card does not indicate "Birth Year Verified – Y” that you submit a copy of the fencers birth certificate or passport to the USFA National Office via email, mail or fax. They will verify the Date of Birth and provide an updated membership card. 3. WAIVER OF LIABILITY A completed waiver form signed by a parent or legal guardian is required. To help speed up your registration, please download the waiver form, print it, read it, sign it, and bring it to the table with you. This is especially critical if the fencer does not have a parent/guardian at check-in. No one will be allowed to fence without a signed waiver form. Click "Download Waiver," above or this link: http://njfencingalliance.com/documents/NJFA-FENCING-TOURNAMENT-WAIVER-2016.pdf We expect to have press and other media coverage at this event. Photography, filming, recording or any other form of media of the athletes during the tournament can be used by the organizer (NJFA) and the USFA. If you wish to opt out of media coverage, you must present the waiver form in person to the Bout Committee. TOURNAMENT ENTRY Competitive USFA or other foreign federation membership required. Fencers may only compete in one event per day (exceptions require Bout Committee approval). BIRTH YEAR ELIGIBILITY for events is determined by the 2015-16 age eligibility schedule, not your age at the time of the event. Youth 8: 2007-2010 Youth 10: 2005-2008 Youth 12: 2003-2006 or on Youth 10 NRP List Youth 14: 2001-2004 or on Youth 12 NRP List USFA Current Point Standings can be located at http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695476-current-point-standings If your registration is rejected for age and you are on the NRP list for the next lower age group, e-mail the organizer for assistance in processing your entry. FEES/ DEADLINES: USFA RULES PROHIBIT FENCERS FROM COMPETING IN MORE THEN ONE EVENT PER DAY. (Extraordinary exceptions are at the discretion of the Bout Committee). Tournament fees must be paid at time of your registration (your entry is considered “incomplete” until your payment is made). Fees and deadlines are established by USA Fencing. Credit card payments are taken on-line through askfred.net. We are not responsible for any inability to register on askfred. FEE SCHEDULE: Regular Entry Fee: $35 All entries made after 11:59 pm on April 17th will be considered as walk-ins. Walk-in Entry Fee: $50 ALL WALK IN FEES WILL BE PAID AT THE DOOR IN CASH OR CHECK. Regular On-line registration will close April 17th based on the fee schedule as listed above. Registration is not complete until your full payment is made (either through FRED or mail-in). If you are listed as an “incomplete” registrant on the AskFred list, you will be charged the walk-in fee. If you have already registered and need to make changes or add an event, e-mail the organizer at blairstar48@aol.com. REFUNDS Refund requests must be submitted to blairstar48@aol.com and will only be honored if received prior to April 3rd. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Any refunds will be net of surcharges from Ask Fred. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND INSPECTIONS: USFA uniform requirements apply. Names are NOT required on your uniform. Fencers must wear the required clothing regulation fencing jacket and pants, underarm protector (plastron), knee socks and a fencing glove that covers half the forearm. The electric foil bib is required. Women must wear breast protectors. In epee and foil, a full jacket is required (i.e., a jacket with croissard / groin strap). Warm-up pants are not allowed. Fencing uniforms or gloves must not have any rips, tears, holes, etc. USA Fencing allows uniforms of a single pastel color or designs on the rear (unarmed) arm and leg. As the purpose of uniform color or design is for audience interest, such designs should be in good taste. For safety and insurance purposes, fencers must wear full fencing attire while participating in drills, lessons or warm-up. Blade Length: Y8 & Y10 fencers must fence with weapons NO LONGER than 32.5 inches (“0 & 2's”). Parents and fencers are advised that blades marked as "#2" are believed to meet this requirement, however some blades labeled as #2 have exceeded 32.5 inches; these blades will not be permitted. EQUIPMENT CHECK Parents and fencers should plan accordingly and arrive at least 1 hour prior to the close of check in, there may be significant lines for equipment check. Please plan accordingly. Fencers must present to the armorer for testing of mask, lame jacket, gloves (saber) and body cords. Items passing inspection will be specially marked. Masks that do not pass the 12-kg punch test will be impounded or given a visible mark to signify that the mask is "not approved for use." All events are conducted with electric equipment. A preliminary inspection will be conducted at the beginning of each pool and DE to ensure the presence of the following equipment: underarm plastron, weapons, body cords and all appropriate weapons check control marks. Athletes are subject to prohibition from fencing if these conditions are not met. Weapons will not be inspected or marked in advance, but failure to have the proper number of working weapons and other required equipment at the strip is subject to penalty according to relevant USA Fencing rules. Fencers will only need to have their equipment passed once for the duration of the tournament. You must arrive at the strip with at least two working weapons and two working body cords. Fencers are responsible for having working equipment prior to arrival for competition. Note that Blue Gauntlet Fencing will be on site to sell new equipment and repair services, but fencers ultimately are responsible for having all necessary equipment in working order. SEEDING: Seeding is based on the Current National Youth Ranking according to age group and weapon, then your letter ranking with year classification, then fencers with neither points nor classification are seeded on a random basis after the fencers who are seeded by the previous criteria. New Jersey Fencing Alliance will ONLY use ratings and points standings that have been forwarded to and accepted by USA Fencing in advance of the tournament and then downloaded by us from USA Fencing. This information will be downloaded on three days before the event. Check your current points at: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695476-current-point-standings. Check USA rating at http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/698125-current-membership-listing. Fencers should verify their ratings and point standing prior to the event. Any discrepancies must be resolved with the USFA. Only an official e-mail response from USFA will override the ratings/points published on the USFA website. Each event’s tentative seeding will be posted at the venue and on-line prior to the close of check-in. Final seeding will be posted after close of check-in. It is the fencer's responsibility to notify the Bout Committee of any discrepancies in posted seeding information before pool assignments are posted. Any mistakes in posted information throughout the tournament must be reported to the BC immediately (within 5 minutes of posting). This includes club affiliation, division, classification, date of birth, gender, spelling of name, etc. Errors in posted pool results must be reported to the BC immediately (within 5 minutes). Once DE round starts and tableau is posted, the pool results are final and no adjustments will be made. Check all scores before leaving the strip. Fencer signature on pool sheet and DE slip implies accuracy. Photography and filming is permitted, however NO flash photography is allowed near ongoing competitions. WITHDRAWAL: Withdrawal during pools: If a fencer withdraws, or is excluded, is scratched from the pool, and his results are annulled as if he had not taken part in the competition. Withdrawal during DE: When for whatever reason a fencer cannot fence or cannot complete his bout, his opponent is declared winner of that bout. Note that per USA Fencing rules, fencers who are not present for their bout after having started a competition (for reasons other than a verified medical withdrawal) will be excluded from the competition, and national points and/or classifications that might have been earned for that competition will not be awarded. Further disciplinary action can be taken by USA Fencing. TOURNAMENT FORMAT USA Fencing rules apply. http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/695208-rulebook Fencers who are not present for their bout after having started a competition (for reasons other than a verified medical withdrawal) will be excluded from the competition, and national points and/or classifications that might have been earned for that competition will not be awarded. Further disciplinary action can be taken by USA Fencing. All events will be one round of pools comprised of the standard 5-touch bout in 3 minutes, with 100% promotion to direct eliminations. Pools of 6 or 7 will be used whenever possible. 100% of the fencers will be promoted to a DE tableau. Direct Elimination Tableau shall be established according to the results of the preliminary pool round. Events with fewer than 11 participants may be two rounds of pools to direct eliminations. There will be no fence off for third place. Events will be mixed if there are less than 6 competitors of either gender. Events that are posted as mixed will be gender-separated if at least 6 fencers of either gender enter the event. Y10 direct elimination bouts are for 10 touches or end when two periods of three minutes, with a one-minute rest between each period, have passed. The first period ends either at the expiration of three minutes or when 5 hits are scored, whichever comes first. (The rules for handling ties in score at the end of regulation, awarding of cards and non-combativity will apply as currently written.) MEDALS: In the Y8 events, medals will be given to the Top 8 finishers. In the Y10, Y12, Y14, and Cadet categories the top 4 finishers will receive medals. USA Fencing rules apply as set forth in the USA Fencing Rulebook and as discussed further in the USA Fencing Athlete Handbook (http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Fencing/About-Us/Manuals.aspx) We realize that there are many new fencers and parents to fencing. We would like to recommend that you review the following guides prior to this tournament. We believe that they will provide assistance in understanding some likely fencing terms and give you a general understanding as to what to expect at a tournament. Guides are a courtesy of fencing.net and the USFA. Beginner's Tournament Guide (courtesy of fencing.net) http://www.fencing.net/forums/thread44882.html Parents Guide to Fencing (courtesy of Fencing.net) http://www.fencing.net/forums/thread38526.html USA Fencing Parent Guidebook http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0034/6319/USA_Fencing_Parent_Guidebook.pdf FENCING BAG STORAGE Fencing bags will not be allowed on the fencing floor. Please store fencing bags in the Designated Fencing Bag Storage Area. ARMORER Armorers will be available to provide personal armoring on a fee per basis. CONCESSION STAND Open from 7 am to 3pm DIRECTIONS Click the Directions link on the FRED tournament home page. FREE PARKING AVAILABLE NEAREST AIRPORT: Newark Liberty International (approximately 10 miles from the venue) NEARBY HOTELS: Numerous hotels at Newark Liberty International Airport (approximately 20 minutes away) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: NJFA is conveniently located near all major highways in NJ, NY, CT, and Pennsylvania. Just off Springfield Avenue (via Vermont St). Only a 30 minute train ride from NYC Penn Station (via NJ Transit Mid-Town Direct; http://www.njtransit.com).