In light of the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic, USA Fencing has made some changes to popular membership options that may interest Iowa Division fencers:

Non-Competitive Membership
The Non-Competitive fee will remain at the 2019-20 price of $10 and includes a new added benefit: Members in this category can now experience the excitement of competition. Starting with the 2020-21 season, Non-Competitive members will have the opportunity to fence in one local tournament without having to upgrade to a Competitive membership. This new benefit is automatically available to you when you join or renew as a Non-Competitive member.

Competitive Membership
For our renewing members, we are offering the 2019-20 fee of $75 when you renew your membership before September 30. This is open to all current members and you do not need to have held a Competitive membership in 2019-20. For those seeking a new Competitive membership, the fee for the 2020-21 season is $85.

Full details and information for other membership types (including a discount on life and life installment memberships) can be found in the July 29th email from USA Fencing, or when you log into your USA Fencing account. We're not sure how many sanctioned tournaments will be available this year, but we hope these options will be helpful for some of our fencers!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s election! We had a great turnout for voting and the results for the 2020-2021 board members are as follows:
President – Nick Beatty
Vice President – Troy Nehring
Secretary – Sarah Timmons Powell
Treasurer – Jann Ream
The change in leadership will go into effect on August 1st. Best wishes to everyone in the new season!

Covid-19 Update - May 20, 2020
To all members of the Iowa Fencing Division:
Following USA Fencing’s recent emails allowing for a return to normal practice and given current circumstances in our state, the Iowa Division Board would like to update members on practice and tournament guidelines for the rest of the competitive season.
As a Division, we defer to the National Office and to federal, state, and local guidelines for re-opening fencing clubs. However, we strongly caution all Iowa clubs to consider vulnerable populations and have strategies in place to prevent the spread of disease should they choose to re-open. We leave timing and method up to the clubs; we firmly believe our club owners have their fencers’ best interests at heart and will take all necessary steps to protect their athletes, referees, spectators, and coaches.

We have also come to the difficult decision that the Iowa Division will not be sanctioning any tournaments through July 31st, 2020. The sole exception to this will be our National Qualifier, currently scheduled for May 30th. We do not anticipate any events needing to be fenced in person to decide the qualifiers; should this occur, we will contact the affected fencers and will discuss alternate plans at that time.

As always, we welcome feedback and questions and will do our best to provide further guidance if it becomes necessary. We recognize that this is an incredibly difficult and confusing time for all of us, and we hope that our entire Division stays physically and mentally healthy on our way to the upcoming 2020-21 competitive season.
Signed,

Sara Pettit, President
Evan Decker, Vice President
Sarah Timmons Powell, Secretary
Jann Ream, Treasurer


Covid-19 Update - April 20, 2020
Good news!

"Until such time as in-person practices can resume, [general liability coverage thru USA Fencing] will extend to online lessons, classes and other training sessions. Accordingly, USA Fencing is now sanctioning such activities, effective immediately, April 20, 2020. [...]
Please note that all virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings must be conducted under the same terms, conditions and rules applicable to in-person training. Among other things, clubs, coaches and participants must all have appropriate levels of USA Fencing membership. Those offering the online sessions must supervise the participants. All interactions involving minors remain subject to requirements of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)."
Full announcement: https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1101728


Covid-19 Update - April 17, 2020
USA Fencing has extended the moratorium on sanctioned competitions until May 11, so the division has tentatively rescheduled Division Qualifiers for Summer Nationals for May 30 (preregister here).

Covid-19 Update - April 13, 2020
USA Fencing has announced that Summer Nationals have been postponed until late July or early August. Updates to qualifying paths will be announced soon; the Iowa Division Summer Nationals Qualifier will be rescheduled pending those new dates.

Covid-19 Update - March 27, 2020
USA Fencing has extended the ban on sanctioned tournaments until at least May 4, which means that we will be rescheduling Iowa Division Qualifiers (originally set for May 2). This also impacts the Rubber Ducky Youth tournament (April 19), the ISU Frosty (April 25-26), and the Dinosaur Youth tournament (May 3). Please check AskFred.net for updates to those events. Additionally, insurance through USA Fencing will not cover club activities through at least April 20.

We expect an update regarding Summer Nationals and potential changes to qualifying paths on April 9.

Covid-19 Update - March 13, 2020
We've just received word that USA Fencing is canceling all sanctioned tournaments from March 16-April 6. This will impact the Equinox Epee tournament in Des Moines and the Rubber Ducky Senior tournament in Iowa City. Additionally, deadlines for Summer Nationals have been extended, but at this time Division Qualifiers are still scheduled for May 2:

Division Qualifying Forms Submission Deadline: June 1
Petition Deadline: June 3
Regular Fee Deadline: June 3
Triple Fee Deadline: June 12
Withdraw Deadline: June 12
Classification Deadline: June 12
Check-In Times Posted: June 8

Stay safe, everybody!

This will affect the Rubber Ducky Youth tournament (April 19), the ISU Frosty (April 25-26), and the Dinosaur Youth tournament (May 3). Please check askFred.net for updates to those events: https://askfred.net/Events/future.php?

Email to general membership:
Sanctioning and Summer Nationals Updates

As of today, more than 223 million Americans in 24 states, 74 counties and 14 cities are under orders to stay at home, shelter in place or avoid non-essential activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of reported cases across the nation continues to rise sharply on a daily basis. 

Accordingly, USA Fencing Member and Affiliate Club activities will remain unsanctioned through at least April 20 (previously April 6). Unsanctioned activities will not be covered by USA Fencing's insurance.
USA Fencing will not be sanctioning any competitions until at least May 4. The National Office is working with organizers to reschedule regional events that were to take place between March 18 and May 3. The updated regional events schedule is available at www.usafencing.org/coronavirus.

The USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge are currently still scheduled to take place from June 28 - July 7, in Louisville, Ky. Due to the schedule changes for regional and national events this spring, the National Events staff and Tournament Committee are examining any potential changes to qualifying paths. An update will be made on April 9 at www.usafencing.org. Online registration for the National Championships and July Challenge will open on April 16. Any additional updates regarding Summer Nationals will be posted at posted on www.usafencing.org. 

From Bob Bodor, USA Fencing Director of Membership:

"Dear USA Fencing Divisions,

Over the course of the last seven days, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has prompted unprecedented changes within the world of sport.

In prioritizing the health and wellness of all our members, USA Fencing will not be sanctioning any local, regional, national or international tournaments from March 16-April 6.

Divisions are directed to postpone all sanctioned competitions across the country through April 6, 2020. 

In order to allow participants from postponed tournaments to still be eligible to compete at the National Championships and July Challenge, the deadlines have been extended as follows:

Division Qualifying Forms Submission Deadline: June 1
Petition Deadline: June 3
Regular Fee Deadline: June 3
Triple Fee Deadline: June 12
Withdraw Deadline: June 12
Classification Deadline: June 12
Check-In Times Posted: June 8"

There are 2 Division Officer calls being held on Tuesday and Thursday of next week which result in further updates and possible schedule and policy changes.

Bob continues:

"We continue everyone to practice preventative measures and prioritize the health and well-being of all of members and their families.

Tips for Fencers, Coaches, Staff, etc. 

• Stay home from practice or competition if you feel sick.
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer with 60-90% alcohol when restrooms are unavailable. 
• Avoid direct physical contact with others (keep a six-foot distance when possible). 
• Salute or elbow bump competitors, coaches and referees rather than shaking hands. 
• Do not touch your face during a bout or training session. 
• Do not share water bottles.
• Do not put your mouth on water fountains. 

Tips for Club Owners and Tournament Organizers

• Make sure to have hand sanitizer and tissues in high traffic areas throughout the training or competition space, including near bout committee tables, water dispensers, score tables, etc. 
• Wash all shared gear and use sanitizng wipes on weapons in between uses. 
• Keep sanitizing wipes near reels and other frequently touched equipment. 
• As always, make sure restrooms and locker rooms are properly cleaned on a frequent basis. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.

The CDC recommends preventative actions regarding respiratory illnesses, including:  

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Everyone is encouraged to seek further information using the CDC and the WHO websites:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html#situation-in-us

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public


Questions or personal concerns regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) should be directed to your local healthcare provider. This remains a dynamic situation and we will update our decisions and recommendations on a regular basis both via email and at www.usafencing.org/coronavirus."

For the Iowa Division, this impacts the Equinox Epee tournament in Des Moines and the Rubber Ducky Senior Tournament in Iowa City. Tournament organizers will be in touch with those who have preregistered via askFred.net regarding those events. At this time, we still plan to hold Division Qualifiers on May 2.

The 2019 division qualifying event for Summer Nationals (to be held in Columbus, OH) has been scheduled! All Iowa fencers in good standing with USA Fencing with a desire to compete at Summer Nationals are invited to participate. Divisionals will be held on Saturday, April 20th, 2019 at Red Door Fencing Club in Des Moines. More information can be found on AskFred. If you have questions about your eligibility or want to know if you've already qualified, please contact the division and we'll do our best to help you out!

Thanks to everyone who attended the armory clinic at the Iowa City Fencing Center! We had fencers, coaches, and parents from ICFC, U of I, DMFC, Iowa State, RDF, and the Scattergood School.

We completely rewired a foil, repaired body cords and mask cords, and did some work on epees. It was interesting to see how various manufacturers' products differ in terms of design and talk about different ways to fix things. The #1 takeaway was: make sure everything is clean and tight!

We're looking forward to doing this again in 2019 - this time focused on maintaining tournament/scoring equipment!

Come join armorer Ron Herman to learn (or refresh) how to maintain your personal fencing equipment. Common problems and fixes will be addressed, and questions are always welcome!

This will be a two part clinic, with a club equipment maintenance clinic to follow in the spring. 

Ron has served as the USA Fencing National Team Armorer for national and international events, including World Championships and Olympic Games!

This clinic is free for Iowa Division members and $10 for all others; payment is due on site (cash or check only). The clinic will held from 1pm-4pm, Sunday November 4th at the Iowa City Fencing Center. Onsite parking is available, including in the rear of the building.

Registration: https://askfred.net/Clinics/moreInfo.php?clinic_id=42080&fbclid=IwAR164TSNop9Os4XPRbdkBynEFuNkm6kOPsky0qecfedXCaq-wQ_9QpsR2SQ

Results for the Iowa Division Board elections for the 2018-2019 season are in! We've elected Sara Pettit to be our new President, and Evan Decker returns to the Board as Vice President. Sarah Timmons and Jann Ream will continue as Secretary and Treasurer. Thank you to outgoing President Alex Harms and VP Brett Watchorn for your service.
​
Sara is already off and running with some upgrades to our online presence in the form of a Facebook page: ​https://www.facebook.com/iowadivision/

We're looking forward to another great year of fencing in Iowa!