This page outlines the procedures and logistical details for club members participating in Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF) activities.
Each Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF) club member and their parent/guardian must sign a liability waiver form before participating in any RYF activities.
The signed waiver form is valid for one year, covering the current USA Fencing season, which runs from August 1 to July 31 of the following year.
Blank liability can be found in Form.
The majority of fencing tournaments in the U.S. are posted on the AskFred.net website. Competing in these tournaments is highly recommended for fencers looking to gain experience and earn USA Fencing national ratings.
Steps to Compete in AskFred-Listed Tournaments:
Create a User Account:
Click the "Register" button at the top right corner of the homepage.
Enter your personal information.
Set your primary club to: "Rochester Youth Fencers - Minnesota."
Division: "Minnesota."
Leave the rating as the default "U" (Unrated), if applicable.
Search for Tournaments:
Use the search function to find tournaments based on your preferences, such as:
Select a Tournament:
Click on a tournament to view details, including events and schedules.
Use the "Who's Coming?" section to see the list of registered fencers.
Note the "Registration Close Date" (effective until 11:59 PM on the specified date).
Register for Events:
Select the desired tournament and click "Register" to pre-register for the events you're interested in.
Pay attention to the "Check-In Closes..." time, which indicates when fencers must report to the organizer, even if pre-registered.
Payment and Additional Information:
Some tournaments may require online pre-payment, while most accept payment on-site during check-in.
Carefully read the tournament description for any special requests, limitations, or fee details specified by the organizer.
Cancellation and Confirmation:
Once registered, AskFred will email you a receipt with a link to cancel your registration if needed.
Earning USA Fencing Ratings and Membership Requirements
To earn a USA Fencing rating, fencers must compete in USA Fencing-sanctioned local, regional, or national events.
Membership Requirements: To participate in USA Fencing-sanctioned events, fencers must hold an active USA Fencing membership. There are two primary types of membership:
Access Membership:
Allows participation in local and divisional tournaments.
Competitive Membership:
Required for participation in regional and national tournaments.
Fencers can upgrade from an Access Membership to a Competitive Membership as needed.
Membership Validity:
All memberships are valid annually from August 1 through July 31 of the following year.
How to Enroll in USA Fencing Membership
To enroll as a USA Fencing member, visit the USA Fencing Individual Membership page and follow the instructions. Upon completing the registration, you will receive a membership ID.
Remember to update your AskFred user profile with your USA Fencing membership ID. When participating in a USA Fencing-sanctioned tournament, you may need to provide this ID to the tournament organizer for verification during check-in.
Club Membership Information for USA Fencing Registration
Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF) is a registered USA Fencing club member. During your membership registration, you can associate and assign "Rochester Youth Fencers" as you primary or secondary club. You can also go to https://member.usafencing.org/my/clubs and click on "Launch Club Selector / Change" button to update your membership's club association.
Free 90-day Trial Membership
Beginner fencers should sign up to the Free 90-days trail membership to satisfy USA Fencing member club requirement. See the Free Trial Application for more details and application procedure.
The MN High School Fencing League (MNHSFL) is a vibrant community of over ten high schools and fencing clubs from Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin. The League provides opportunities for high school fencers to compete and grow in a structured and supportive environment.
Novice Tournament:
Designed for beginners and their parents to get acquainted with the League and its programs.
Invitational Tournaments:
Three tournaments are held during the season.
Fencers earn points at these events, which are used for seeding in the final championship events.
Final Championships:
Includes both individual and team relay events.
Typically held on the last weekend of February, this is the final event of the League season.
November to February
This compact and intense season provides fencers with an excellent opportunity to compete, refine their skills, and bond with fellow athletes from across the region.
All fencers in grades 7–12, regardless of the school they attend, are eligible to represent a school or fencing club in the League. Each November, RYF invites all members to join and represent the club in League competitions.
Fencers are required to sign a contract indicating their chosen weapon and the tournaments they commit to for the season. Based on these responses, RYF will form teams considering the number of commitments and the skill levels of the fencers.
If you’re interested in joining the RYF High School Fencing League teams, talk to any coach or contact us to get started.
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