Fencing Ireland's Club Hub

Fencing is a vibrant community of fencers, clubs, coaches, and volunteers who strive for success in their sport and play an active role in the wider fencing community.

Fencing Ireland is committed to fostering and strengthening our club network by supporting existing clubs and developing the infrastructure needed to establish new fencing clubs throughout Ireland.

This page has been created for your club, we hope you find it both useful and informative. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our General Manager at dfoley@fencingireland.net

Club Support

Club Goverance

Club policies booklet, including Safeguarding information

Code of Conduct - Link

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to anyone active in fencing in Ireland. It addresses the minimum levels of behaviour, conduct, and good practice procedures. Outlines within the code of conduct, are the following relevant roles:

Fencers
Coaches
Supporters
Parents/Guardians
Referees
Clubs & Club Members

Updated July 2025.

All of the above must sign and be aware of your clubs code of conduct relevant to their position in the club

All clubs must have their code of conduct documents displayed clearly for all members to view.

Fencing Ireland Code of Conduct

Anti-doping

Fencing Ireland supports the work of the Sport Ireland anti-doping unit and the World Anti-Doping Agency and condemns the uses of any substance or method to achieve improved results in competition.

For a club, it is important for you to inform all members of their responsibility (particularly those who intend to compete abroad) to familiarise themselves with the advice of Sports Ireland, World Anti Doping Agency ( WADA) and the FIE.

Every Club must have their own Anti doping policy. Please find a simple cut-and-paste policy, with the relevant club details in red to be filled in before upload to the relevant club's website

Anti Dope Policy Template

Please remember that external Doping Control Officers may be present at any fencing competition. While it is not envisaged that there will be any intentional infractions, many ‘over the counter’ and prescription medicines (as well as vitamins, herbal and nutritional supplements) may contain prohibited substances. There has been so much negative publicity about doping in sport that it is no longer possible to plead ignorance, so we strongly advise you to have your doctor check on the status of all drugs.

All anti-doping matters and concerns may be directed to our Anti-Doping Officer Cahir Davitt Submit a Query

Stay informed Fencing Ireland Anti-Doping

WADA Prohibited List

Global DRO

Sport Ireland Medication Checker

Garda vetting

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016 provides a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Act also creates offences and penalties for persons who fail to comply with its provisions.

If you have a youth section (u18yr) within your club, all coaches, parent managers and volunteers who enter your training hall must be Garda Vetted.

As of August 2025 Garda Vetting rules have changed, all people seeking Garda vetting must meet in-person with the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for ID approval. The DLP in Fencing Ireland is Nuala McGarrity which would mean all persons looking for Garda vetting must travel to meet Nuala.

We recognize this may not be possible for all clubs, to avoid delays with your clubs Garda vetting, Fencing Ireland have offered all clubs the opportunity to appoint a validator.

However it is essential that the validator has been properly trained in the verification process by Fencing Ireland. Once this training has been completed, the validator may carry out verification responsibilities in line with the National Vetting Bureau guidelines.

Please contact Nuala McGarrity for more information

nualamcgarrity@gmail.com

Funding

Funding Options

Funding options for NEW and existing Fencing Clubs

Funding for sport in Ireland comes from various sources, including the Irish Government through Sport Ireland and the National Lottery.

Some of the common funding avenues include your Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), who offer funding for specific projects, Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) formerly known as Sports Capital

https://youtu.be/PChhQ3zOiEI?si=EY8aOIJJAWavfleB

and schemes like the CLÁR programme for rural community facilities.

However the first step to access Government and some local funding is to be register with the Company Registry Office ( CRO). We have provided a presentation below on how to achieve this. Thank you to Meng Wang from Mr. Child Fencing Club for providing us with this presentation.

Applying for Grants Step One

Other Options:

Below is a list of other small funding project that may fit in with your clubs development and strategy. Please contact options direct for up to date application and details.

SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN IRELAND

Third Party Support

Some clubs engage in a third party to source and apply for funding generally for specific projects, however there is a fee involved.

Please contact: Hannah in www.2into3.com

2into2 information

Running a Competition

Competition Regulations and Discipline

Competitions and discipline

Competitions are primarily governed by FIE rules. Where there is no specific alternative Fencing Ireland policy or rule FIE rules apply. The FIE rules were adopted in June 1914 by the international congress of National Olympic Committees for use in all events at the Olympic Games. They were first codified in 1914 by the Marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat and M. Paul Anspach. They have been revised and restructured by various FIE Congresses.

Please note that if you intend to compete you must make it your business to be familiar with FIE regulations. Individuals who wish to take part in fencing competitions in Ireland must hold a valid Fencing Ireland licence. Overseas fencers may present a current licence from their home jurisdiction together with a Fencing Ireland 'Associate' membership.

FIE: Competition Regulations
Fencing Ireland Competition Regulations - updated July 2025
Fencing Ireland Disciplinary Policy (Black Cards) - updated April 2025

Checklist

Running a Competition

If you would like your event or competition listed on our website, please contact your club administrator for the Ophardt system, link below for more information

https://www.fencingireland.net/ophardt-clubs/

Pre Competition

Please upload competition details, and create an invitation for approval on Ophardt. We will not facilitate any clashes with ranked FI or NIF events.

During the Competition

Please be aware that participation of any unlicensed fencers invalidates the competition’s insurance. It is therefore the responsibility of DT to ensure all fencers are properly covered by a current license.

Licences:

All competitors must hold either a competitive Fencing Ireland membership (Adult, Student, Youth, or First membership) or a foreign fencing licence in conjunction with a Fencing Ireland Associate membership.

Post Competition

As soon as possible, please email final classification in HTML format to competitions@fencingireland.net

This will enable the results of the competition to be uploaded on the website and will allow the rankings to be updated. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Should any competition organizer not be clear about these instructions, please contact dfoley@fencingireland.net for help.

Starting a New Club

First Steps

The First step is to contact Fencing Ireland for support dfoley@fencingireland.net

This resource is intended for anyone thinking of starting a new community fencing club - for adults, juniors or both.

It walks you through some of the questions and processes that you need to consider if you wish to establish a new club.

This resource only contains top tips and you may require additional components that will suit your local community and the audience you are targeting

New Club Document

Club Support

Please check under Funding, for possible options to finance your club

Other Options

Fencing Ireland's Equipment Purchase Scheme

Helping new clubs get established is a key priority for Fencing Ireland.

We recognize that having enough equipment for a club is expensive so new clubs can avail of an equipment loan and purchase scheme.

Under the scheme Fencing Ireland will buy equipment in bulk for a new club. We use our greater buying power to get the best deal possible and we purchase the equipment up front. The club then has 12 months to pay Fencing Ireland.

Clubs wishing to avail of this must supply a 12 month budget outlining expected income and costs so it's clear the club can fund the purchase. They must have a venue and a coach.

If you are interested please contact dfoley@fencingireland.net

Governance

Useful Fencing Links

On this page you will find useful links to other fencing organisations, including international governing bodies and fencing manufacturers.

Irish Sport Websites

Sport Ireland – co-ordinates the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland

Women In Sport – promotes participation of women of all ages in sport in Ireland.

Olympic Federation of Ireland– manages and co-ordinates Team Ireland at the Olympic Games whilst developing the Olympic Movement in Ireland.

Sport Ireland Coaching – develops and raises the standard of coaching in Ireland in partnership with national governing bodies.

Pentathlon Ireland – the Modern Pentathlon Association of Ireland.

International Fencing Organisations

Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE) – the international governing body for the sport of fencing –

European Fencing Confederation – the body responsible for the European Championships and zonal circuit at Cadet and under-23 level.

Nahouw – international competition database

Ophardt – German website with real-time results of major fencing competitions and now the Fencing Ireland membership and competition entry system.

Fencing Equipment Suppliers

Please note that these links are provided for information; Fencing Ireland can not endorse or recommend the products or content of any commercial site.

Absolute Fencing Gear (USA) Allstar (Germany) Artos (Germany) BladesBrand (UK) Carmimari (Italy) Favero (Italy) Fence With Fun (Germany) Leon Paul (UK) Negrini (Italy) Prieur (France) Sword Price Fighters (UK) Uhlmann (Germany)