The role of the Selection Subcommittee is to:

• Continually assess the qualification criteria and recommend any adjustments to the Board.
• Track and record competition results of Irish fencers on an ongoing basis.
• Deal with all selection requests, either by
  • approving requests in line with the published criteria, or
  • referring to the Board and mentors for further consideration.

The Selectors will accept and consider competition plans during the summer pre-season. All fencers who have met the qualification criteria will be allocated places in order of priority (per Appendix II).

Applications received after the start of the season will also be considered on a rolling basis. Approval of late applications is subject to places remaining at the requested event/s. Fencers must give no less than four weeks’ notice of their intention to fence at an international event.

In exceptional circumstances, the Board may recommend selection of a fencer who has not qualified during the season, where the Board has reason to believe he/she would have qualified if not for illness/injury, alternative circuit commitments, or another reason outside the fencer’s control. In all such cases, the Board will publish its full rationale, including results on which the decision was based.

At senior events where there are more qualified fencers than available places, fencers will be prioritised based on the following criteria, according to their best result.

1. World Cup points, then
2. World Cup results: L64 < L96 < L128; pool victories; then
3. FIE World Cups and FIE Grand Prix Qualification Nominated Events: top 25% < top 50% < top 75%; then
4. Satellite results: top 25% < top 50% < top 75%; then
5. U23 results: top 50% < top 75%; then
6. Domestic ranking at the date of application.

Examples include the Olympic Zonal Qualifier (one fencer per weapon) and FIE events where a referee is required (up to four fencers per weapon.)

Note:
For FIE events where there is a referee requirement, it is possible to send more than four fencers. In such cases, all applicants will be placed in priority order based on the scheme above, with automatic places offered to the top four. Athlete in subsequent positions will have the option to attend subject to ensuring the necessary refereeing fee is covered.

Wherever possible, the Selectors will aim to recommend a full squad of four for FIE and EFC events that offer a team event.

Places on the Ireland team for the Five Nations will be allocated in order of domestic ranking only. On publication of the end-of-season rankings after Nationals, the following season’s team will be named.

A fencer is deemed eligible if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

• Is a current member of Fencing Ireland with a valid competition licence, and
• Is eligible to hold Irish citizenship (for any reason), and
• Has not represented any nation other than Ireland internationally during the
  preceding season.

Places are offered to eligible fencers in descending order until all places and reserve places are filled.

Season: The period “Season” for selection is defined to start on the day after the completion of that year's Senior World Championships, Olympic Games or European Games whichever is later. The previous Season is deemed to have ended on that same date.

For consistency and simplicity all selection is defined as a Season within this time range including youth and veteran.

e.g. 24/25 season ends 31st July after the culmination of 2025 World Championships in Tbilisi. 25/26 Season starts 31st July

Nominated event: Competitions listed on the Irish fencing calendar where fencers can earn points towards the Irish rankings.

National Circuit: For jurisdictions listed in Appendix VII and VIII this is defined as competitions which carry the highest tier of eligibility and/or ranking points for that jurisdiction and/or count towards international selection for fencers of that jurisdiction. Selectors should be consulted if an applicant has any doubt over a competition’s classification before they travel.

A Competition in the Senior National Circuit of the following countries: Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Hungary, France, Italy, China, Poland, Canada, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong.

Results in nominated competitions which reach qualification standards should be submitted to the Fencing Ireland selectors via email: selectors@fencingireland.net.

A Competition in the Senior National Circuit of the following countries: USA, Germany, Hungary, France, Italy, China, Poland, Canada, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong.

Results in nominated competitions which reach qualification standards should be submitted to the Fencing Ireland selectors via email: selectors@fencingireland.net.

Requests for selection to represent Ireland at international events should be made by filling out the selection request form available at the link below:

https://forms.gle/JaTHz9iRfnGGxmEcA