Salle En Garde Squad Program 200

Salle En Garde Squad Program 2005

Practices

Membership 2005-2006 season

Objectives | Leadership | Fees | Benefits | Obligations

2005-6 Season plan | Training | Budget

The role of the squad is to support and develop the competitive students of En Garde Salle d'Escrime, to-

Assist the En Garde team at provincial and national events with equipment and entrance fees;
Provide environment for competitive fencers to train together with advanced group lessons and sparing;
Enable fencers who have not got their own electrics, to practice with the electric scoring apparatus;
Build a greater team spirit and foster a common purpose.
Develop the full range of skills required to make fencing work, such as the maintenance of equipment, refereeing and the administration of competitions.

To achieve these objectives, squad membership requires commitment and funds.

The squad is an entity in its own right, financed initially only by membership fees.

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Squad leadership

It is headed by the captain and supported by the maitre, armourer and vice-captains. For 2004-5, the captain is Michael Malahe, with Ruxton McClure and Thomas Henstra vice-captains. David Smith is the armourer, and is responsible for looking after equipment belonging to the council.

Fees

Membership of the squad is R140 per term, for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd terms. There is no charge for the 4^th term, as there is no competitive training. Members of the team will still enjoy the benefits of membership, as long as they have been paid-up members during the year. These fees do not replace club fees or tuition. Fees are due at the beginning of each of these terms.

For En Garde to fulfil its potential, it will be necessary for squad members to take the leadership in seeing that the vision of the council is implemented. The fees will only be sufficient to start building the basic support structure. We hope to build up the resources of the Squad from fundraising drives and so be able, to meet most of the needs of our top fencers.

Members commit themselves for the season, (April –March for Juniors and August – July for Seniors)

unless -

A fencer fails to comply with their obligations, which will result in not being eligible for any benefits as from that moment.
Notice to discontinue membership has been received at least before the beginning of the new school term.

Fencers may withdraw from the squad at any time, but this does mean that they are would be ineligible for squad selection for the remainder of that season.

Fencers need to be members of the squad for a full season before selection to the team to represent En Garde at provincial and national events will be considered.

Membership is a privilege, and not a right. Selection is based on reaching 6 ranking points, commitment and conduct.

Our approach is one in which we aim to work hard at developing a dedicated group of fencers, who then in turn contribute to the improving of standards and functioning of their own clubs.

In order to “make fencing work”, everyone involved in the squad will be given a lot of individual attention, but they must use the acquired insights and training to the betterment of the whole of fencing. If they don’t, fencing will stagnate into a group of competitive fencers far removed from their clubs. This is exactly what has happened: if squad members do not assist in uplifting their clubs, then the whole exercise will be futile.

The En Garde captains have a responsibility to represent and lead the squad. Similarly, its members are the core of En Garde, and as such have a strong influence on the direction which we take. They must use this so that it reflects the spirit of the entire school, not just the competitive group. To assist in being as inclusive as possible, we are making the last hour of each squad practice open to everyone with 3-ranking points or an "E" certificate, so that they can participate in the proficiency award. Our standard will improve as we motivate each other to be positive about training.

In addition then to the specified “obligations”, members should realise that they have responsibilities to fencing which are not as quantifiable. The bottom line is that everyone needs to be “team-player”. We will change the make up of the squad if necessary, to ensure that all members contribute to both the squad and to their clubs in a way which does not merely benefit them.

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Benefits

Competitive group training of up to four hours per session, on three weekend afternoons during the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd terms.
Eligibility for selection to represent En Garde at provincial and National competitions.
Use of electrics for squad training and as backup at competitions.
Eligibility for individual lessons, which are conditional on squad membership.
Qualification for En Garde tracksuit, cost discounted depending on grade.
National and provincial registration for EG representatives.
Payment of entry fees at national and provincial events for EG representatives.

Obligations

Attendance of squad training on designated weekends (2 out of 3 compulsory)

Participation in En Garde Super or Salle leagues and club competitions. (at least one a term)

Payment of quarterly squad membership fee (1st, 2^nd and 3^rd terms).

Use of own steam foil, jacket and mask. Fencers must also wear a glove and EG breeches to all competitions and squad practices.

Representatives at national competitions must wear the EG tracksuit, and have access to their own electric equipment. They must have a tool box with the necessary items.

Total support for the captain and for the rest of the team.

Adherence to the code of conduct.

Bringing a fencing file and writing materials to practices, as well as a book on fencing.

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Plan 2005

The first term of 2004 saw the introduction of the upgraded squad, and so far ir is going well. We also began the process of including input of fencers and parents into our program. This will be continued this year, and a series of meetings are included in the calendar which will build on this.

The first practice will be an "open day" to give fencers the opportunity to see if they would like to join the squad. During the first term, we allow new members time to assess their options, and to acquire the necessary equipment. At the end of the term, fencers will be asked if they want to commit themselves for the following season, April 2005 till March 2006. Those that do, and have the necessary equipment, will be invited to join the squad training group preparing for next years' competitions.

We have acquired 8 foils/bodywires and 1 epee/bodywire for use by squad members at practices and as backup at competitions. It can not be used as "primary" equipment: team members must have working kit before participating in an event. Personal kit is a fencers own responsibility, and it is up to him or her to learn how to maintain weapons and bodywires.

The maximum size of the squad will be 30. If this number is not reached during a term, invitations will be extended to fencers next in line. Membership of the squad is conditional on agreement to the terms set out in the invitation. The reply slip should be completed and returned to the Maitre before the beginning of the new term.

During 2004, we focused on the 2005 Junior National as the first major objective. For the last few years, preparation for major tournaments has been totally inadequate to put out a competitive team. Last year, we began building a new team, which has now participated in a number of provincial events.

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Training

This year , we will run far more structured practices:

1-2pm various meetings. Fencers not involved: sparing using electric apparatus;.

2-3pm lesson- broken down into: warm-up, footwork, and practical, each week with its own focus "core area" as mentioned below;

3-4pm sparing or squad competition;

4-5pm open time- proficiency award evaluation, ladder or Smartie challenges for everyone present.

The term has three practices, each focused on a core training area :

Physical training

Technical lesson

Tactical lesson and competition training

Squad competitions will be be included in each practice, for example ladder challenges and team events.

They will now be incorporating the proficiency awards programme, in three areas:

Physical evaluation

Theoretical examination

Technical and tactical evaluation

An advanced grading (3 -4) program will be supported by the use of a fencing book. This year, any book will do, but from 2006 we will use specific text books relevant to a students level and age.
Personal training: All competitive fencers need to practice in there own time, and build training into their daily routine. All members will be guided in developing there own training programmes, using the planners available on this site as a stating point. We will also encourage the establishment of "training cells" to assist with individual training.

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Budget

It is hoped that we will maintain a minimum of 20 squad members. Each person pays R140 per quarter in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd terms. This equates to R2800 per term or R8400 per year. This money is for the sole use by the squad.

This amount must be allocated to FWC and SAAFA membership fees for the team and their entrance fee to competitions, as well as electric equipment. From the beginning, it is important to establish a fair distribution so that everyone benefits directly from his or her membership, not only the additional training.

All team members will have the relevant affiliation fees paid.

During the second term, we project how much money is likely to be spent on affiliation and entry fees, and then allocate the balance to equipment. This might be carried over to the following year for scoring apparatus (a "cheap" good box is over R5000!, and reels R3000 each)

The squad leadership, namely the captains and vice-captains, along with the armourer, are responsible for the allocation of the funds acquired from membership fees. They should also consult by other members of the management committee as well though.

This year we will be concentrating on getting a set of good electric scoring apparatus.

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