Hey everyone, did you register for JO qualifiers yet? You can do so here:https://askfred.net/Events/whoIsComing.php?tournament_id=35291

Another path to fence at JOs is through the Region 3 RJCC point standings. If you are age-eligible and have earned at least 110 Region 3 RJCC points, you are already qualified for JOs (and don't need to fence at the divisional qualifier).

The region 3 RJCC point standings have been updated by the USFA. They are available for viewing here: http://www.usfencing.org/page/show/2292457-regional

It looks like the following Long Island Fencers have 110+ points and are already qualified:
Women's Epee:
 Junior
Julia Duffy
Catherine Cao
Jungsoo Ahn
Arianna Ferretti
Mina Yamanaka
Emily Gao
 
Cadet
Julie Duffy
Catherine Cao
 
Men's Epee:
 Junior
Steven Grams
Joshua Zhang
Matthew Ko
Ben Rogak
Michael Jaklitsch
 
Cadet
Steven Grams
Joshua Zhang
Ben Rogak
Jeffrey Wang
 
Women's Foil:  None in either category
 
Men's Foil:
Junior
William Palazzolo
Max Dunat
Jasper Levy
Charles Wells
David Oullettte
Jake Hempe
Griffin Healy
 
Cadet
William Palazzolo
Jasper Levy
Jake Hempe
Griffin Healy
Ryan Scarpa
 
Women's Sabre:
Junior
Ashley Gomerman
Crystal Chen
 
Cadet
Lauren Cappello
Bridget Becchina
Stephanie Miller
 
Men's Sabre:
Junior
Cody Khim
Charlson Kim
Matthew Gavieta
William Jin
Tyler Offut
Donal Mahoney
 
Cadet
Cody Khim
Charlson Kim
Matthew Gavieta
Edmond Wu

Congratulations fencers, outstanding job!

From the USFA Website:
"Beginning August 1 2016, a foil fencer who reverses the line of his/her shoulders (bringing the shoulder of the non-weapon arm forward of the weapon arm shoulder) is now subject to a Group 1 penalty (a yellow card). Much like other penalties (such as corps-a-corps to avoid a touch or substitution of non-valid target), any hit scored by the fencer committing the penalty will be annulled.
This rule change was proposed by the FIE because, during actions where a fencer reversed his/her shoulders, it was not always clear whether or not the fencer had covered target with his/her off-arm. This was particularly true when the fencer in question was facing away from the video replay camera. The new rule simply states that any reversal of the shoulders is now a penalty, irrespective of whether or not the fencer has covered his/her target. See the proposed modifications to the rules for more details on the rationale behind the change.

Please note that this rule change applies to foil only, and does not affect epee or sabre."
http://www.usfencing.org/news_article/show/677548?referrer_id=2272806

Hi Everyone,

We hope everyone’s summer is going great! The Long Island Division of the USFA just wanted to reach out quickly to make everyone aware that we will be having an annual meeting and election on Friday, July 29th at 8 pm at Half Hollow Hills High School (in the cafeteria on the west end of the building). The address is 50 Vanderbilt Pkwy, Dix Hills, NY 11746 and directions can be found here: http://bit.ly/H3-Map  (Thank you Hills for offering to host us all!) Below please find some more information about our election:

Who Can Vote?
If the all following criteria apply to you, you’re eligible to vote:

• You are 18 years old as of February 1, 2016
• You were a member of the USFA as of February 1, 2016
• Your membership type as of February 1, 2016 entitles you to vote - Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Professional (but not necessarily “+ Professional”), Supporting, Life, Life Installment.
• You are listed with the USFA as a member of the Long Island Division (and were as of February 1, 2016)

Not sure if this applies to you? Shoot us an email and we can check for you!

What are We Voting On?

1. The Executive Committee would like to make sure we are appropriately assessing the needs of the Division from all angles so that we can always keep the objectives of encouraging the growth and development of athletes, programs, and the sport at the forefront of what we do. To that end, we are proposing to the members the creation of 2 new Executive Committee (“Board”) positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a Coach or Club Owner member of the Division, for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a member of the Division who is a parent (having one or more child who fences), for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.

(Next year, we are going to bring forth a vote to change our current “Board Member at Large” position to a “Referee Board Member at Large” position so we make sure that group is represented as well!)

1. If the membership votes to add these new positions, we would like to elect members to them right away! The Board is making the following nominations for these positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – Dennis Daly, Coach, Hills Fencing Institute
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – Penny Jane Chin, Island Fencing Academy
2. We have a couple more positions to elect as well. Please see the Board’s nominations below:
   1. Division Chairperson (to be held for a term of 4 years) – Chris Zebuth, Referee, Unattached
   2. Vice Chairperson (to be held for a term of 2 years) – Jennie Salmon, Coach, Mission Fencing Center

Is anyone else running?
Candidates are able to nominate themselves for an office by petition to the Executive Committee. This year the Executive Committee did not receive any petitions by the July 20th deadline, so there are no additional candidates at this time.  

The Division wants to congratulate all our fencers who did a wonderful job showing Long Island skill and spirit at Summer Nationals. We would also like to remind everyone that USFA memberships expire on 7/31 so please make sure you renew if you need to. (Coaches and referees, please make sure you are current on your background screenings and Safe Sport certifications too!) If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please feel free to reach out to us via our website (http://www.usfencinglongisland.com/) or by emailing our Secretary at coachalison@bhsfencing.com.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on 7/29 and kicking off another great year of fencing on Long Island!

Hi Everyone,
We hope everyone is doing well in their preparations for Summer Nationals! The Long Island Division of the USFA just wanted to reach out quickly to make everyone aware that we will be having an annual meeting and election at the end of July. Though the official date and time have not yet been set, we expect it to be the weekend of July 30-31, 2016 at Hills Fencing Institute. (Thank you Hills for offering to host us all!) Below please find some more information about our election:
Who Can Vote?
If the all following criteria apply to you, you’re eligible to vote:

• You are 18 years old as of February 1, 2016
• You were a member of the USFA as of February 1, 2016
• Your membership type as of February 1, 2016 entitles you to vote - Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Professional (but not necessarily “+ Professional”), Supporting, Life, Life Installment.
• You are listed with the USFA as a member of the Long Island Division (and were as of February 1, 2016)

Not sure if this applies to you? Shoot us an email and we can check for you!
What are We Voting On?

1. The Executive Committee would like to make sure we are appropriately assessing the needs of the Division from all angles so that we can always keep the objectives of encouraging the growth and development of athletes, programs, and the sport at the forefront of what we do. To that end, we are proposing to the members the creation of 2 new Executive Committee (“Board”) positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a Coach or Club Owner member of the Division, for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a member of the Division who is a parent (having one or more child who fences), for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.

(Next year, we are going to bring forth a vote to change our current “Board Member at Large” position to a “Referee Board Member at Large” position so we make sure that group is represented as well!)

1. If the membership votes to add these new positions, we would like to elect members to them right away! The Board is making the following nominations for these positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – Dennis Daly, Coach, Hills Fencing Institute
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – Penny Jane Chin, Island Fencing Academy
2. We have a couple more positions to elect as well. Please see the Board’s nominations below:
   1. Division Chairperson (to be held for a term of 4 years) – Chris Zebuth, Referee, Unattached
   2. Vice Chairperson (to be held for a term of 2 years) – Jennie Salmon, Coach, Mission Fencing Center

What if I want to be in the running for a position?
You can be! Candidates may nominate themselves for an office by petition to the Executive Committee. Petitions shall contain signatures of no less than 5% of Division members eligible to vote in the election. (This year, that’s 8 signatures you need.) You must submit your petition to the board by July 20th so the signatures can be verified as valid eligible signees, and if all is good you will be added to the ballot.
 
The Division will be in touch with you all again as we finalize the date and time of the meeting, will provide directions, and will be sure to include any new candidates who petition for your consideration. In the meantime, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us. Good luck at Nationals, and we look forward to seeing you in July!