Ages 8 to 15
Beyond Casual Training
A focused programme for fencers ready to go further — building discipline, consistency, and a competitive mindset while preparing for the USA Fencing season.
Training
Competitive foil trains twice a week, and fencers must attend at least one of those sessions. An optional — but highly encouraged — Saturday session runs in-house bouts. Members are also encouraged to attend additional classes to accelerate development.
Competitive épée and sabre sessions are still to be scheduled.
See the competitive schedule →Competitions are not classes
The sessions above are training. Competitions are formal USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments held elsewhere, and every one MFA fencers enter is listed on the competition calendar.
See the tournament schedule →What we expect
- 01Attend at least two classes per week, including one competitive session
- 02Compete in at least one USA Fencing tournament every two months
- 03Arrive on time and ready to train
- 04No disruptions during instruction — breaks are built in
- 05Bring full fencing equipment
- 06Bring water and refreshments
- 07Help clean up ten minutes before the end of class
- 08Support teammates and have fun
The Leadership Board
A board tracking effort, growth, and teamwork. Fencers earn points through participation and performance. Monthly awards go to the top three, with a larger award every three months for overall leadership points.
See the current standings →Everyone starts with 50 points
Earning points
- Competitive class
- +5
- Saturday bouts
- +3
- Regular class
- +1
- Local sanctioned event
- +10
- Podium, 15+ fencers
- +5
- Gold, 15+ fencers
- +5
- Regional event
- +5 bonus
- National event
- +5 bonus
Losing points
- Disrupting class
- Warning, then −2
- Late by 10 minutes or moreTraffic exceptions apply
- −1
We understand things happen — and this should be fun — but we also expect focus so class runs well for everyone. Don’t stress if you get carded, but keep an eye on your points.
Patches and badges
MFA patches are earned, not bought. Achievement badges follow European standards and are intentionally difficult. Fencers are evaluated monthly, and advancement requires a unanimous coach vote.
- 1 · RecruitTiroNot a beginner's patch. A Tiro is a young competitive fencer who has shown discipline, composure and tactical awareness consistently over time, and who makes the club stronger while doing it.
- 2 · The thinking fencerPrudensThe thinking fencer. Prudens asks for a medal at a regional event or a D rating, and for a fencer whose attention has moved off their own footwork and onto the person in front of them.
- 3 · Master of the boutDominusCommand of the bout, at national standard. Dominus asks for an A rating and either ten regional platforms or a national one — a fencer who imposes a game rather than playing someone else's.
- 4 · MasterMagisterThe summit. Magister marks a first place at a national event and an A rating, and no MFA fencer has earned one — it exists to show where the road goes.
This program is your chance to push yourself, support your teammates, and see what you’re capable of. Show up, put in the work, and enjoy the process.