Travel to competitions can be very expensive, the aim of this form is to get an early idea of who is interested in traveling to some of the events through the year to try minimize cost for all.
If in March we know of 15 people want 100% to go to NZSSC we can book those 15 in March at a much lower cost. Then closer to the time, if another 10 wanted to attend, we would be still able to book them in as well to still be part of the whole group.
The club often sends managed teams to competitions, we travel and stay as a team for the duration of the event, this helps to minimize cost, but also creates a really enjoyable environment. This is to try reduce barriers to people attending competitions, and to minimizes the cost of attending to you by dividing all the costs and meaning that each athlete does not need to travel with a parent.
The process and next steps
Timings/ waves
We are going to book things in waves, this way you don't need to stress if you can't confirm right away and don't want to book flights yet, also if you're late to the party you also don't need to stress, no one has to miss out on anything. The waves will be as follows:
Wave one - 30th January (Note NZ u20s)
Wave two - 28th February (Note NZ u15/u17s)
Wave three - 23rd July (Note NZSSCs)
Wave four - 24th September (Note NZ Seniors)
Please note these dates are subject to change, if we find a set of cheap flights over some of the dates we may wriggle things round a bit!!
Step one
The first step in this process is filling out this form letting us know you would like to attend any particular event/s. This will give us an understanding of who is interested and around what our numbers will be for any given competition.
If you are unable to commit yet, but would still like to let us know you want to attend, feel free to still fill out the form but leave a note at the end of the form saying that is the case.
If you are a parent interested in accompanying the team in any capacity please let me know so I can include you in our plans.
Step two
At the set dates of the waves, e.g. 30th of January, we will be in contact with everyone who has filled out the form to begin organizing flights and we will touch base with the airline to organize a quote for a group booking for the indicated flights.
Once they return this to me I will touch base with each of you to confirm if you are okay with this price and then lock in the flights. I need this confirmation to come from a parent or caregivers email if you are u18.
Note that if flight prices are expensive for a date such as P-Cup, we may choose to wait till a sale comes up if there is sufficient time between the booking date and the competition, e.g. if in January flights are expensive for in November we may wait to see if they come down.
Step three
Once the flights have been organized I will know our final numbers, and can lock in our accommodation which again will depend on numbers.
Step four
Next come all the little bits, making sure everyone is entered and into the correct events, making sure everyone has the required equipment available, and that everyone has full competitive FeNZ memberships.
Equipment
Gear is something that is really important and at comps we need more/ different things than in training. A wee checklist of what you will need for the tournament is the following:
NZ National comps
- 2 FIE weapons (minimum)
- 2 body wires (minimum)
- Glove without hole
- Mask 350N (minimum)
- Jacket 350N (minimum)
- Underplastron 800N (unless Jacket is 800N)
- Breeches 350N (minimum)
- Long socks (without holes)
- Bag to transport weapons
- Note some of this may change if the competition is Oceanic vs National champs
International comps
- Full FIE whites
- 1600N FIE mask
- 2-4 FIE weapons
- 2-4 body wires
- Other bits and bobs (e.g. tool kit, socks, sweat towel etc.)
Live results
For most of our comps, there will be live results available which will be published on Fencing Time Live:
https://fencingtimelive.com/
Closer to the date you may also check entries as they get updated.
At some events, particularly senior events, one or more of the coaches may also be participating in an event themselves at the competition. In these instances part but not all of their cost would be covered, however note that may also mean we need more than one coach to cover all the events.