High school fencers interested in fencing in college – the NCAA Eligibility Center is hosting a webinar for athletes and parents at 11:00 am on October 10th:
Happy World Fencing Day!
Happy World Fencing Day!
Today, we celebrate the family that brings fencers together. Not just the family we are born with, but those created by our outstanding community. From siblings to cousins to club mates and national teammates to lifelong friendships forged on and off the strip, thank you to everyone in our #USAFencingFamily.
Get in on the action by sharing photos, videos and memories of your fencing family and tag USA Fencing and FIE – International Fencing Federation to celebrate #FencingDay2020!
https://www.facebook.com/NJDivisionUSFencing/posts/3614404248579103
Meet Jorge Gana, Chairman of USA Fencing-NJ Division
This week in the lead up to World Fencing Day, USA Fencing is celebrating our Life Members, their dedication to the sport and their role in the #USAFencingFamily.
Meet Jorge Gana: Walking on to his college fencing team at Johns Hopkins University, Jorge Gana quickly became passionate about fencing. Although he had no prior experience in the sport, Gana became a team captain and won the individual University Athletic Association Championship and Temple Open in men’s epee in 1991, on his way to a top-10 senior national ranking. Now involved in fencing for more than 30 years, he is the chair of the New Jersey Division, a certified referee and a volunteer assistant coach at Christian Brothers Academy High School. He even still fences when he has the time.
Fencing has become a part of the Gana family. Gana and his wife have seven children, two of which are Life members. Gana describes that purchasing a Life membership was a great option to reflect his commitment to the sport, and was an investment for his kids, who also found a strong passion for the sport.
For more information about the Life membership, visit https://www.usafencing.org/…/698114-individual-memberships.
Event Schedule
Recommended reading from the National Office about the return to competition schedule for Regional and National events:
NJ Division Seeking New Members!
The NJ Division is looking for members interested in helping to expand fencing diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as High School age members for general minor representation (with parental approval). Contact us if interested!
Coronavirus update
NJ Division fencers and coaches: As we commence reopening activities, adherence to NJ State Government requirements and guidelines can help ensure safety and avoid setbacks. As applicable to sports and recreational practices, the State of NJ currently requires that; ALL individuals (including parents, coaches, staff, etc) SHALL wear cloth face coverings while indoors (as well as outdoors when social distancing is not possible), unless doing so will endanger the subject’s health. Athletes/participants should wear cloth or disposable face coverings when not engaging in vigorous activity, such as when sitting, or when interacting with staff or other participants. USA Fencing’s national office has also made a non-mandatory recommendation that face coverings be used during fencing activity, though face coverings are not required by the State of NJ while persons are engaged in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities. Face coverings should not be worn when doing so may endanger the individual’s health. Clubs should also continue to follow other guidelines and restrictions including, but not limited to restrictions on maximum capacity, scheduling to limit unncessary overlap of groups/athletes, and COVID-19 related cleanliness and hygiene. Individuals, including coaches, players, and families, should stay home if they have tested positive for, or are showing COVID-19 symptoms. Thank you for respecting the State government guidelines and keeping our community safe. (See NJ Executive Orders 163, 168, and NJ Dept of Health “Guidance for Sports Activities”)
USA Fencing Return to Fencing Guidelines
USA Fencing announced earlier this month that sanctioning of in-person non-competition activities could resume in locations where the clubs are permitted to operate or reopen by local and state laws, regulations, executive orders and other legal mandates regarding COVID-19.
As states and municipalities begin to release more information regarding opening dates for businesses that include fencing clubs, USA Fencing is now issuing Return to Fencing Guidelines that address suggested precautions for fencers and their families, club owners, coaches, administrators and division leaders.
The Return to Fencing Guidelines are recommendations, not mandates. They are based in significant part upon current guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and other publicly available resources. The knowledge surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing and clubs’ circumstances may differ depending on their geographic locations, facilities, memberships and other factors. Accordingly, USA Fencing encourages clubs and participants to implement the following measures, to the extent reasonably possible, as minimum precautions.
As a reminder, USA Fencing’s sanction, and thus its insurance coverage, will apply only to areas in which clubs can be open legally.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Return to Fencing Guidelines, please contact information@usafencing.org.
Reminder, this Sunday 3 pm!
All-American Fencers
Congratulations! Chatham High School in Chatham Township, N.J. led the rankings with 10 All-Americans, including three First-Team, three Second-Team and four Honorable Mention Team members.
The full roster includes many NJ High School students – Jersey proud:
Ready to become a referee?
Ready to become a referee and earn $ next season? Here’s an opportunity for a Zoom ref seminar on 8/15 – and NJ Division members have an opportunity for tuition reimbursement (message this site for details)
