Fencing Ireland Coaching Education

The Fencing Ireland Introduction to coaching qualification is an award which covers the basics of coaching and qualifies one to work as an assistant to a more qualified coach.

They will:

• Run basic sessions or parts of sessions working from plans
  composed by the more experienced coach.
• Help as a secondary coach in a session run by a more
  experienced coach.

The Introduction to Coaching course is not weapon specific.

A coach with an ‘Introduction to coaching’ certificate is not qualified
to coach independently.

This is the simplest coaching course in the Fencing Ireland coaching structure. It is a short, one day course which will allow candidates to take a first step onto the coaching qualification ladder. Assistant Coach courses are not assessed - certificates are issued based on attendance alone.

The course is written with both fencers and non-fencers in mind. Course attendees may potentially include parents who want to help out in their kid’s session (perhaps when they would be waiting around anyway) or other interested parties with limited or no exposure to fencing before this course.The course also welcomes those with more fencing experience looking for an introduction to the basics of coaching.

For those interested in a more detailed coaching course and qualification, completing the Assistant Coach course is not mandatory before undertaking the Club Coach (Level 1) qualification so you can begin your coaching journey with a Club Coach course if you prefer.

THE FENCING IRELAND ASSISTANT COACH COURSE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. IT IS BEING PREPARED AND SHOULD BE LAUNCHED SOON.

A Fencing Ireland Club Coach (Level 1) may independently deliver pre-planned and prepared fencing sessions and programmes for groups at foundation level and early competitive levels. The qualification aims to prepare coaches to run group training sessions for fencers at three stages of the fencing careers:

• Beginner fencers taking their first steps and learning the basics of fencing. These fencers will be from a range of potential age groups/contexts including:
  • Short introductory courses in schools,
  • Youth beginners sessions in clubs,
  • University beginner courses,
  • Adult beginner courses in clubs.
• Fencers engaging in fencing as a participation sport having
  already learned the basics - potentially youth, students, or adults.
• Club/participation fencers (i.e. likely not performance athletes) taking part in domestic competitions, either under age or senior events.

The sessions run by the Club Coach for these various groups will be:

• Safe,
• Athlete centred,
• Planned in advance,
• Engaging/fun,
• Inclusive and non-discriminatory.

Club Coaches will also provide support to their fencers at competitions.

Coaches will qualify in one of foil, épée, or sabre at any one time. Qualifying in a second weapon will require attendance at sessions in a second course. When qualifying in a second weapon, sections of the course which are not weapon specific will not need to be repeated.

A Club Coach course takes place over the course of 4 days, usually organised over the course of two weekends.

The Club Coach programme was revised and approved by Sport Ireland Coaching in 2023.

A Fencing Ireland Development Coach (Level 2) can prepare, deliver and review fencing sessions for groups and individuals at participation and national competitive levels.

The Development Coach programme is currently in development.

It is envisaged that a Development Coach course will take place over the course of three weekends.

Coaches undertaking Development Coach qualifications will do so in each weapon separately.

THE FENCING IRELAND LEVEL 2 COACHING QUALIFICATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED HERE AS THE PROGRAMME IS DEVELOPED.

A Fencing Ireland  Performance Coach (Level 3) can deliver the requirements for a Level 2 coach demonstrating a wider variety of techniques and plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes for groups and individuals at participation and performance levels including those competing internationally.

Coaches undertaking Performance Coach qualifications will do so in each weapon separately.

THE FENCING IRELAND LEVEL 3 COACHING QUALIFICATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. IT IS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PLANNING AND WILL ONLY BE DELIVERED ONCE ASSISTANT COACH AND DEVELOPMENT COACH PROGRAMMES ARE OPERATIONAL.