Student/U23

Fencing is alive and thriving at third-level institutions around the country. Student clubs welcome beginners and seasoned competitors alike, and have led the way in creating novice competitions (aimed at fencers in their first two years of training.)

Fencing Ireland's Student / U23 calendar of events/ competitions can be viewed on Fencing Ireland Events. You must log in or Register to see / enter one of our up coming events / competitions

To qualify to take part in any of our competitions you must be over 13 years, and have a current relevant Fencing Licence. Our Ranking System Explained

Student

Fencing clubs active in the following colleges:

IT Carlow – sabre only
Dublin City University – épée only
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) – sabre only
Maynooth University
NUI Galway
Trinity College Dublin (Dublin University)
University College Cork
University College Dublin
Ulster University, Coleraine – see NI Fencing for details
Queen’s University Belfast – see NI Fencing for details

Fencing Ireland is keen to support any student who wishes to start (or revive) a fencing club at their college. Contact dfoley@irishfencing.net

There are Three Student Events in the fencing calendar solely for fencers who are studying at college or university:

Student Four Nations

The Student Four Nations brings together a team of current students and very recent graduates to face their counterparts from England, Scotland and Wales. The event takes place over a single day – typically in June – and hosting rotates between the nations.

Timeline for the Student 4 Nations

February/March:Team Manager selected at Captains Meeting during Intervarsity Championships
March/April:Team Manager contacted and appointed.
April:end-of-season rankings published after National Championships.
April/May:Panels at each weapon: a squad of four based on the Irish rankings, plus at least one non-travelling reserve.
May:fencers confirm availability and work with Team Manager to arrange travel/accommodation.

Who is eligible?

Full-time and part-time students studying at degree level at an Irish or Northern Irish third-level institution
Full-time students studying at degree level overseas, who are eligible to fence for Ireland or Northern Ireland at senior Five Nations
Fencers in their ‘Year of Grace’, i.e. who graduated from an eligible course within the past 12 months.

How are selections made?

The top eligible and available fencers on the Irish rankings (as published after the National Championships) shall be named to the squad.
Any late-stage vacancies on the team are filled at the discretion of the team manager, pending
- The top eligible and available fencers on the Irish rankings (as published after the National Championships) shall be named to the squad.
- If the named reserves are unavailable, any late-stage vacancies on the team are filled at the discretion of the team manager. Where discretionary selections diverge from the national rankings, selectors will publish the result that explains a fencer’s inclusion on the panel. This allows non-resident fencers to be selected in a clear and fair manner.

Intervarsity Championships

Intervarsity Championships

Across all six weapons, colleges and universities select teams of three or four fencers to represent the club. Each weapon squad faces its counterparts from all the other colleges in a ‘best of nine bouts’ team format. Cups are awarded to the top team in each weapon, while the winning college across all weapons is awarded the Frank Russell Trophy. The tournament weekend also includes a meeting of college club captains (at which the next year’s host is agreed) and a much-anticipated formal social.

Student Indvidual Championships

Under 23

The European Fencing Confederation ( EFC) offers an U23 circuit and associated European Championships. These are open to fencers who are 22 or younger at January 1st in the middle of the season.

What is the U23 Circuit?

Each of the U23 events nominated as part of the EFC series is a senior open and typically attracts world-class fencers from the host nation. Fencers wishing to compete in an U23 tournament must qualify via the national rankings or via performance at nominated events.. Qualified athletes will require an EFC licence and should check that their equipment is compliant with the safety regulations for U23 events.

OUR Selection policy for Student and U23 events

Entry level: EFC U23 Circuit –

All fencers who meet one of the following criteria are free to attend Satellites and U-23 events:

Ranked inside the top 15 of the national rankings at the time of application, or
Placed in the top 50% at a nominated event.

Other interested fencers must apply to the Selectors with any results they deem relevant.

Major championships: EFC U23 European Championships

All fencers who reach the round of Direct Elimination at a EFC U-23 event will be offered a place at that season’s European Championships.

Universiade

This event is open to fencers who are currently studying at third level or are in their first year after graduation. Selection will be based on performance at FIE Senior World Cup during the season preceding the games. Fencers will be considered eligible if they have achieved a L32 or better.

Currently fencing Ireland have competitors eligible for the U23 circuit in our Womens Epee (WE)