FENCING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Home of Sport Fencing in South Australia

Competition Categories

Open (Open-A) Grade Competition

Open competitions are the highest level of state competition. They are intended to prepare competitors for the competition at national or international level.

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold a Competition Licence.

 Eligibility

  • All fencers with a Competition Licence may compete in this event. Be aware that this category is generally populated with adult fencers.

Quick Reference: Licences

Licence Type Eligible Competitions

Competition

 All Competitions: State & National

Participative

 Limited State Competitions: U9 - U15, Open-B

University

 For Full-time University Students Only.

 Limited State Competitions: Open-B only


OPEN-B GRADE COMPETITION

The Open-B Grade competition is intended for fencers who are not yet capable of fencing competitively in Open competitions.

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold either a Competition or Participative or University Fencing Licence with Fencing SA.

 Eligibility

A fencer is permitted to compete in Open-B Grade competitions in any weapon until they have completed either of the following requirements, after which they must advance to the Open Grade in the following year.

  • Win the Open-B Grade state championships where there are at least 8 people competing in that competition. This advances the fencer to Open Grade competition only in the weapon competed. B Grade status remains for other weapons.
  • Attained top 8 ranking in any AFF event that has a minimum of 32 competitors. This advances the fencer to Open Grade competition in all weapons.
  • Attained membership to the Australian National Squad (2021 onwards) or Australian Fencing Team/Squad (AFT/AFS - 2021 and prior)

Note: In all cases of advancement (except membership of the National Squad/AFT/AFS), the fencer is allowed to continue competing in Open-B Grade until the end of the calendar year. If membership of the National Squad is confirmed prior to the first FSA competition of the calendar year, the exclusion applies otherwise the fencer is allowed to continue in Open-B grade until the end of the current calendar year.

VETERAN COMPETITION

Veteran competitions are intended to allow elder fencers to compete against other fencers of similar age, fitness and experience.

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold a Competition Licence.

Eligibility

  • A fencer is eligible for Veteran competitions from January 1st of the year of their fortieth birthday.

Special Rules

  • All Veteran Direct Elimination bouts go to ten points and consist of two (three minute) periods.

U20 AND U17 COMPETITION

Junior competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and similar physical development. Given the increased age, strength, fitness and experience of the older fencer some different rules apply.

Membership Requirements

  • All fencers must hold a Competition Licence with Fencing SA.

 Eligibility

  • A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. e.g. A fencer who turns 17 AFTER January 1st may compete in U17 competitions for the duration of the calendar year
  • U20 & U17 competitions may be run as a combined event with 3rd place fenced. U17 rankings will be applied by the removal of any U20 fencers and application of the results for the U17 fencers.

U15 COMPETITION

Junior competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and similar physical development. Given the increased age, strength, fitness and experience of the older fencer some different rules apply.

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold a Competition or Participative Licence with Fencing SA.

 Eligibility

  • A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. e.g. A fencer who turns 15 AFTER January 1st may compete in U15 competitions for the duration of the calendar year

U9, U11, U13 COMPETITION

Junior competitions are intended to allow young people to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and similar physical development.

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold a Competition or Participative Licence with Fencing SA.

 Eligibility

  • A fencer is eligible for a junior competition provided they are UNDER the age limit of the competition on the first of January of that year. eg. A fencer who turns 13 AFTER January 1st may compete in U13 competitions for the duration of the calendar year.

 Special Rules

  • All Direct Elimination bouts go to ten points and consist of two (three minute) periods.

SCHOOLS COMPETITION

The schools competition allows fencers from clubs and schools to experience competitive fencing against fencers of similar age and similar physical development. 
FSA may spilt the event into Intermediate (year 8 and below) and Senior (year 9 and above) competitions. 

Membership Requirements

  • All competitors must hold a Competition or Participative Licence with Fencing SA.

Eligibility (Teams) 

  • Preferably: only open to school / after-school programs (i.e. club teams not permitted) 
  • At the discretion of the FSA Board, and assessed annually for school-specific competitions, composite (i.e. fencers from multiple school programs) or club teams may be allowed to participate.

Eligibility (Individual) 

  • Open to all school-age fencers - school program AND club 
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software