Team Policies

Windy City Fencing Team Policies

The Bronze team is for fencers who have advanced beyond the beginner’s classes, are ready to fence more than once a week and who are interested in competing. Bronze team members practice twice a week.

The Silver team is for fencers who have mastered the basic fencing skills taught in the beginner classes and/or on the Bronze team. Most Silver team members compete in regional and national competitions. Silver team members practice four times a week.

The Gold team is for fencers who have mastered the fencing skills taught on the Silver team. Gold team members fence at an advanced level and compete at national competitions. Gold team members practice four times a week. Fencers in this team must exhibit the ability to be focused and self-directed during practice.

Placement on a team is determined by the age, ability and maturity of each individual fencer. A fencer will be moved to the next level when he or she has mastered specific skills and has consistently shown the maturity to handle the more difficult practices of the next level. Promotion to the next level will be gradual. The transition will begin with the fencer attending one or two practices/week at the next level. The fencer will then receive a formal invitation to join the more advanced team. Coach Hantov makes team placement decisions.

Coach Hantov would like to have a brief conference with each fencer and his/her parents. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss each fencer’s current skill level and set goals for the year. Coach Hantov will also be able to advise each fencer on which competitions and events they are ready for. Please e-mail Coach Tsanko ( [email protected] ) to set-up a conference time. In addition, Coach Hantov is always available throughout the year to discuss a fencer’s progress, competitions or other matters.

It is strongly recommended that competitive fencers supplement their practices with private lessons each week.

Silver and Gold members : around 25 min lesson time

Bronze Team Members : lesson time 20 min

The Menomonee Club requires an auto-charge system for team payment. Please e-mail the Menomonee Club for any questions about billing. Payment for private lessons should be given directly to Coach Hantov. There is no refund for classes cancelled due to National Holidays, and there is no refund when a fencer misses practice.

During the competition season (October-July), coaches will be traveling to competitions with the competitive fencers. When coaches are gone, classes will be covered by an assistant coach whenever possible. There may be times when no assistant coach is available and missed classes will be rescheduled. Classes will only be rescheduled when absolutely necessary and should be looked at as a part of belonging to a competitive club.

Priority for coaching at competitions will be based on the following order: 1. International Competitions; 2. North American Cups (NACs) and Summer Nationals; 3. SYC (Super Youth Circuit) events in which 5 or more Windy City fencers are competing; 4. RYC (Regional Youth Circuit) events; 5. Windy City Fencing home competitions; and 6. Other local competitions.

Every WCF fencer must fence under Windy City Fencing at any in or out of town competitions ,representing the club. No Windy City Fencer should compete in individual or team event under different club ,or organization. Exceptions can be made only at High School tournaments, where WCF fencers can represent their schools.

In order to keep travel expenses as low as possible, fencers must confirm their attendance at an out-of-state competition 45 days before the event.

At all competitions except Summer Nationals, the coach’s travel expenses will be divided per fencer. At Summer Nationals, transportation expenses will be divided per fencer. Hotel and meal expenses will be divided based on the number of events each fencer competes in. Payment is due for expenses 2 weeks before the event. Once invoices are sent, there will be no refund if the fencer cancels. Coach Tsanko will reimburse everyone if his actual expenses are less than his projected expenses.

during competitions is $50 for the first event and $30 for each additional event. Please pay Coach Tsanko directly, two weeks before the competition.
Please note: there is NO coaching when 2 fencers from our club are fencing each other.

a. Fencers are expected to have their own equipment after 3 months on the Bronze team or 2 months on the Silver team. Gold team members are expected to have their own equipment. Fencers with their own equipment must bring two working blades to practice.

b. Coach Tsanko has equipment brochures and, if you would like, he can order equipment for you.

c. There is a price repair list at the club. Current armor is coach Sergiy Kravchenko.