Meet hosting

We often end up hosting a meet for either MACFA or BWCFC each season. This article outlines what preparations are necessary to host a meet.

Paperwork

Ahead of home events, we need to file a home event form with CRS. In addition to furnishing CRS with information about the meet, this form allows us to request tables, chairs, floor tape, coolers, and scoreboards.

Setup

Setup should generally be done the evening before the event. It normally takes about two hours. Any fencers competing in the event are required to set up, and all other club members are encouraged.

Format

In generally, we fence dual meets in a 2.5-strip format, which means that two sabre matches share a single strip, while each foil or epee match has its own strip.

Strips

The number of matches is half the number of teams (rounded down), and using the 2.5-strip format, the number of strips needed is 2.5 times the number of matches, rounded up. The Volleyball Gym can hold about 14 strips. Larger competitions generally must be held in the Reckord Armory.

Time

A dual meet usually takes about 60 minutes to fence on three strips and 75 minutes to fence on two strips.

Referees

When hiring referees, establish the amount of payment beforehand. If more than 8 referees are needed, consider hiring a head ref.

Number of referees for a 2.5-strip format

• # epee refs = # matches
• # foil refs = # matches
• # sabre refs = half of # matches, rounded up

Other personnel

Some people will be required to run the bout committee (BC), which coordinates the running of the meet. A small meet can be run with a BC of only two, but a larger meet may require more.

In addition, an EMT should be hired to be on site in case of an injury. We usually hire an EMT from the College Park Volunteer Fire Department for $15/hour. Make to sure call them at least a week before the meet.

Equipment

Under the 2.5-strip format, every attending team should be asked to bring two strips.