On 20th and 21st September 2025, we will be hosting the second edition of our Epee tournament in Rugby School Sports Centre. This year we will be expanding the event in two directions; more junior age groups, and for seniors, the addition of a ranked event.
In addition to the expanded categories, our primary goal for this event is to have learned from the first edition and improve in the areas where we need to. This means: a more spacious venue with better safety margins, better accommodation for spectators and coaching, and a full complement of grounded pistes. This will necessitate a higher fee, but it will still be possible to keep it toward the cheaper end of competitions. This year the fee for junior events and senior ranked will be £36. The entry for unranked D/E/U events will be at £26.
We will run U17 (cadet), U14 and U12 age group events on Saturday 20th September. The senior events will run on Sunday.
Saturday 20th:
The venue will be open from 08:00. Check in will open at 08:30. The closing times are as follows (n.b. schedule was amended 2025/05/31):
| Event | Ranked? | Check-in closes |
|---|---|---|
| U17 Boys’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 09:00 |
| U17 Girls’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 09:30 |
| U12 Girls’ Epee | 10:00 | |
| U14 Boys’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 12:00 |
| U14 Girls’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 12:30 |
| U12 Boys’ Epee | 13:30 |
Sunday 21st:
The venue will be open from 09:00. Check in will open at 09:00. Check in closing times are:
| Event | Ranked? | Check-in closes |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Men’s/Mixed Epee | Ranked Open | 09:45 |
| Senior Women’s Epee | Ranked Open | 10:00 |
| Senior Men’s/Mixed Epee (D/E/U ratings) | 13:30 | |
| Senior Women’s Epee (D/E/U ratings) | 13:45 |
Entering multiple events
You are welcome to enter more than 1 event for which you are qualified. If your second competition starts and you are still fencing in the previous one, your pool fights may be compressed to accommodate this. The first round of DEs for U17, and senior ranked, ought to be completed by the start of, respectively, the U14 and senior D/E/U pools.
Competition format and rules
All events will consist of a single round of poules followed by Direct Elimination. All competitors will move to the DE stage. There will be medals for 1st, 2nd, and joint 3rd, in each event.
Please ensure all required clothing is worn, including plastrons, and chest protectors for girls. Socks must be long enough to overlap breeches and there must be no gap between the bottom of the jacket and the top of breeches.
Referees will be asked to be lenient on weapon technical problems, as we understand many newer fencers may be borrowing equipment from their club. However, safety is our top priority and as such the referees will be strict on defects with protective clothing and masks.
Junior U12
Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination fights will be to 10 hits with 3 periods of 2 minutes (1 minute gap).
U12s may use size 0 or size 2 weapons.
Junior U14
Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination fights will be to 12 hits with 3 periods of 2 minutes (1 minute gap).
U14s may use size 0 or size 2 weapons.
Senior D/E/U, Senior Ranked Open, Junior U17
Poule fights will be 5 hits, bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination will be to 15 hits, with 3 periods of 3 minutes (1 minute gap).
Senior fencers must wear an 800N plastron and 350N or better breeches.
U17s may use size 0, 2 or 5 weapons.
Refreshments
There is no cafe on site; there are vending machines, and we will run a snack stall. For more substantial fare, the town centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk.
Travel and parking
The venue (1) is near the centre of Rugby and approximately 10 minutes from the Rugby junction (J1) of the M6, and a similar time from the A5/Hinckley/Rugby junction (J18) of the M1. Onsite parking is quite limited, so parking directly next to the venue is not guaranteed. However, the streets next to the venue do not have parking restrictions. We have also been given permission to use the Collingwood Centre (2) car park as overflow. The highlighted areas show the available parking.
Referees
We are offering £70 per day and lunch to L2+ qualified referees. Please contact rugbyepeecoach@outlook.com if you are interested.
U18 referees – you may referee an age group younger than the one you currently qualify for. If as a U17 you are a qualified referee and wish to compete in the morning and referee U14s in the afternoon, please let us know by email – if we are able we will work you in and pay £35 for the afternoon.