NJ 2021 High School Individual Championship

The 2021 NJ High School Individual Championship is sponsored by the New Jersey Division of USA Fencing, with collaboration from the South Jersey Division of USA Fencing. The tournament will take place at the Cobra Fencing Club, 629 Grove Street, 4th Floor, Jersey City 07302. This tournament is not sponsored by the NJIFA or any specific NJ High School. THE CAPS HAVE BEEN REACHED FOR ALL MEN'S FENCING EVENTS. THE MEN'S EVENTS ARE ALL CLOSED. If interested in refereeing, email cherylfencing@gmail.com Please read the information below before registering. Make sure your e-mail is correct in the FRED system - This is the only way we have to communicate with you. If you do not get a confirmation when you register, your e-mail is not correct. By registering in this tournament, you agree to share your registration information with USA Fencing. Those who travel out of New Jersey before this event must follow current New Jersey State Quarantine Protocols: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey#direct-link Those who are scheduled to compete at the April NAC in Texas, please take note of the New Jersey Quarantine Protocols. This event is a restricted USA Fencing (U20 Junior) Tournament open to only individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria. COMPETITORS MUST BE:

Residents of the State of New Jersey

Members of New Jersey Interscholastic Fencing Association (NJIFA) Varsity High School Fencing Teams who are currently attending high school or an equivalent institution between 9th and 12th grades in New Jersey and/or USA Fencing members with a current USA Fencing Membership and also attending High School in New Jersey between 9th and 12th grades.

Home schooled competitors must have a current Competitive USA Fencing membership and be a resident of New Jersey. Events Scheduled: Sunday, April 25, 2021 NJ High School Women's Epee, 8:00 am NJ High School Men's Epee, 8:00 am NJ High School Women's Foil, 12:00 pm NJ High School Men's Foil, 12:00 pm NJ High School Women's Sabre, 4:00 pm NJ High School Men's Sabre, 4:00 pm Again, a competitive USA Fencing Membership is mandatory for this event, or membership with a NJIFA Varsity High School Team. To join USA Fencing online for the season go to: https://www.usafencing.org/membership USA Fencing Members please bring their membership card to the tournament for contactless registration. All fencers must bring proof of New Jersey residency, for example driver's license, NJ state issued ID, or passport AND provide verification of High School or Home Schooled status (for example, school id). Registration for each event will be limited. Tournament Organizers reserve the right to reduce registrants for the reasons listed below:

As a result of Covid-19 precautions or other safety guidelines

To accommodate a broader number of high schools represented at this event. If such need arises, existing registrations may be reduced by USA Fencing classification, order of entry in the tournament, or such other method as determined by organizers at their discretion. Any registered fencers withdrawn from the tournament for these reasons will have their registration and event fee fully refunded. Each fencing competitor is allowed ONE (1) “plus-one” that can be a parent or private coach or guardian. No other spectators are allowed to attend this tournament. All will be required to give contact tracing information and sign a waiver for contact tracing. High School team NJIFA coaches should note that this event is sanctioned by USA Fencing and NJ Division only, is not sanctioned by the NJSIAA, and falls during the NJSIAA “Out of Season” period restricting HS varsity coach interaction with HS fencers. Please see NJSIAA rules and guidelines and comply accordingly.

Everyone attending is required to wear personal face coverings (approved by USA Fencing) over the nose and mouth at all times while inside, including fencers under their fencing masks while fencing. Please see the paragraph below from USA Fencing's Best Practices for the Resumption of Local Events regarding acceptable personal face coverings. All attendees at USA Fencing tournaments will be required to wear a mask at all times, including athletes during competition. Face coverings must be two-layer cloth masks or surgical face coverings. Single-layer gaiters, bandannas, masks with vents and the Leon Paul mask or shield or similar face coverings are not permitted. Athletes who do not comply with this policy will not be allowed to compete. Other individuals, including spectators and coaches, who do not wear a mask or face covering will be assessed a Group 3 penalty for “any person not on strip disturbing order” which includes a yellow card warning for the first infraction and a black card resulting in expulsion from the venue for a second infraction. There will be no exceptions, for athletes or any other tournament attendee, to the mask mandate. Allowance is made to remove the personal face covering briefly in order to drink liquid or eat a snack at the venue. If a fencer or “plus one” cannot wear a face covering for any reason, they should not register or attend the tournament.

Armory will check masks and gloves, but not body or mask cords. Masks and gloves that pass inspection will be stamped by the Armory and checked on the strip. Sabre fencers must have an 800 newton glove that passes inspection to fence. Referees on strip may call for armory check of lames at their discretion for non-working spots. There will be no vendor at this event, so please make sure that gloves do not have holes in them, and are not repaired with tape.

Food and water must be brought by the fencer. No food or water will be provided or sold at the tournament.

All fencers are required to comply with the USA Fencing standards for uniforms and equipment. Each fencer must bring at least two functional weapons, two body cords, and two mask cords for foil and sabre that meet USA Fencing requirements. Testing of weapons will be done on strip. There are no exceptions to the attire and equipment rules. Fencers should arrive at the venue dressed in whites as changing in the rest rooms WILL NOT be permitted.

Individuals, including fencers, plus-one’s, referees or others, should stay home and must not enter the fencing venue or competition if they have tested positive for, or are showing COVID-19 symptoms. A non-contact temperature check will be required by tournament organizers on each person arriving at the tournament location. Any person who has a temperature check above levels typically prescribed by health or sports authorities (usually ≥ 100.3°F), and/or is displaying any Covid-19 symptoms or is unwell will not be admitted to the tournament location and should seek further medical attention.

Social distancing at the venue will be required.

There will be salutes in place of handshakes after every bout.

Fencers should refrain from screaming or shouting after touches. Fencers and plus-one’s should familiarize themselves with the USA Fencing Health & Safety Best Practices for the Resumption of Local Events here: https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/document/3011-2292737/Health_Safety_rev5.pdf#_ga=2.96238876.1494426525.1615752446-789599176.1550709877 Check-in deadline times are subject to change. Please plan to arrive 60 minutes before each posted deadline for equipment check. Registration and Entry Fees: The regular entry fee is $10 registration fee, plus $25 event fee and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 15. The late entry fee begins on April 16. Late registration is $25 registration fee, plus $45 event fee and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. Registration is closed at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. No refunds on the registration fee and askfred.net fee. Refund requests must be made before April 21. Checks will be sent out 4 to 6 weeks after the tournament. YOU ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE REGISTERED UNLESS YOU HAVE PAID THE EVENT FEE. YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE AND YOU MUST PAY ONLINE. THERE WILL BE NO WALK-INS OR PAYMENTS AT THE DOOR. There are no exceptions to this policy. Format and Sanctioning: The tournament is sanctioned by the New Jersey Division of USA Fencing, and classification rating changes will be awarded to eligible competitors. The format for each event will consist of one round of pools fencing 5 touch bouts in a up to 7 competitor pool, followed by 15 touch elimination rounds; 100% of fencers are promoted from pools to the direct elimination round. Tournament format is subject to change at the discretion of the tournament organizing committee. There is no fence-off for third place. Trophies will be awarded for the top 4 finishers, and medals will be awarded for 5th through 8th place. Seeding for each tournament will be based on the USA Fencing classification system. When fencers have been eliminated they and their plus-one must exit the venue immediately. Please download the additional liability waiver for this event for contact tracing. It can be found at the top, click on "Download Waiver" All who enter the fencing venue must bring a signed copy of this waiver to the tournament. ** Liability Waiver - Upon registering for this tournament you agree to abide by the current rules of the USA Fencing and other applicable rules instituted by the NJ Division of USA Fencing or Cobra Fencing Club. You acknowledge you are entering this tournament at your own risk and release the USA Fencing and its sponsors, Cobra Fencing Club, and organizers and referees from any liability. With entry you give consent to the tournament organizers to obtain medical care from any licensed physician, hospital or clinic for any injury or illness that may arise during activities associated with this tournament. ** IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION: To avoid possibility of your car being towed, note these parking instructions: 1. Park in the fenced-in parking lot directly across the street. 2. You can park nose-in to the cyclone fence between Grove St. and Marin Blvd on 16th Street. 3. There is a small parking lot at the corner of Grove and 18th St. 4. There is street parking, if available.