Youth Fencing

Updated October 19, 2006.

It is very confusing, I know. To understand the types of tournaments and the age restrictions for them, the best thing you can do is read the Athlete's Handbook (PDF, 1.4Mb). Focus on the parts that say Youth, there is a lot of detail for Elite fencers, Veterans, Division II, etc., that doesn't apply yet to your young fencer.

An important detail is what year the fencer is born, not how hold she is right now. It is a fencer's age on December 31st that the USFA counts, and everyone born in that year is the same age that day.

Because the Junior and Cadet season ends with Junior World Championships in the Spring, the age requirements after April reflect the upcoming season in those events. Thus the "Under 16" and "Under 19" events at Summer Nationals, which reflect the birth years of fencers who will be Cadet and Junior (respectively) in the upcoming season. These are the "first events" of the upcoming season for the purposes of our national points lists.

Here is the eligibility table from the Athlete's Handbook, for events this season (2006-7), before Summer Nationals:

Category	Junior	Cadet	Youth-14	Youth-12	Youth-10
Birth Years	1987-1993	1990-1993	1992-1995	1994-1997	1996-1999

Here is the eligibility table from the Athlete's Handbook, for events this at Summer Nationals, including qualifying events.:

Category	Under-19	Under-16	Youth-14	Youth-12	Youth-10
Birth Years	1988-1994	1991-1994	1992-1995	1994-1997	1996-1999

Here is my eligibility table for fencers 20 and under:

From August 1st through Junior Worlds Born in: Eligible for: 2000+ Nothing yet! 1999 Youth 10 1998 Youth 10 1997 Youth 10 Youth 12 1996 Youth 10 Youth 12 1995 Youth 12 Youth 14 1994 Youth 12 Youth 14 1993 Youth 14 Cadet Junior Senior 1992 Youth 14 Cadet Junior Senior 1991 Cadet Junior Senior 1990 Cadet Junior Senior 1989 Junior Senior 1988 Junior Senior 1987 Junior Senior 1986 and earlier Senior

After Junior Worlds through July 31st (e.g. at Summer Nationals): Born in: Eligible for: 2000+ Nothing yet! 1999 Youth 10 1998 Youth 10 1997 Youth 10 Youth 12 1996 Youth 10 Youth 12 1995 Youth 12 Youth 14 1994 Youth 12 Youth 14 Under 16 Under 19 1993 Youth 14 Under 16 Under 19 Senior 1992 Youth 14 Under 16 Under 19 Senior 1991 Under 16 Under 19 Senior 1990 Under 19 Senior 1989 Under 19 Senior 1988 Under 19 Senior 1987 and earlier Senior

This table is correct from August 1, 2006, to July 31, 2007. Add one to each year listed after that date, for the 2007-8 season.

In order to be eligible to compete in a Youth NAC, a fencer must first compete in a Regional Youth Circuit or a Super Regional Youth Circuit. You can find out all about those here:

http://www.usfaryc.org/

Once you have competed in a RYC or SRYC you can also compete in Youth events at Summer Nationals.

If you are fortunate enough to earn points at either a SRYC or the NAC, you can also fence up one age group, locally, regionally, and nationally. E.g, points in Youth 10 allow you to compete in Youth 12 even if you are not old enough. Points in Youth 12 allow you to compete in Youth 14 (even if you are only 7 or 8 years old).

To sum up, parents should focus on Regional Youth Circuits for their competitive children under 13 years old.

Please email me with any questions.

- Jeff H. Snider
- Chair, VA Division USFA
- jeff@snider.com
- http://www.va-usfa.org

Last Updated October 19, 2006.