Policies
General Policies
Class and Program Policies
Private Lesson Policies
Code of Conduct
Waivers
General Policies
- All fencers must wear long loose fitting pants or sweat pants during training. NO JEANS and NO SHORTS.
- All fencers are encouraged to wear tee shirts or sweat shirts during training.
- All fencers must wear a complete fencing uniform, including knickers during bouting, Open Fencing and at competitions.
- All fencers must wear sneakers or fencing shoes.
- NO STREET SHOES are ever permitted on the fencing floor.
- NO FOOD OR DRINKS other than water or sports drinks are permitted on the fencing floor.
Class and Program Policies
- PRE-REGISTRATION for fencing programs is highly recommended. Space is limited to insure a positive athletic experience. Space in fencing programs is reserved for registered students only. Space in fencing programs will only be reserved with payment in full.
- TO REGISTER for a fencing program or to become a member of Bay State Fencers please register online or stop by during business hours. We accept Cash, Checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- NO REFUNDS will be given for any reason including: no-show, illness, prior obligation or for cancellations made less than seven (7) days in advance of the start of any program. Seven (7) days prior to the start of any fencing program advanced registration is considered a FINAL SALE.
- If you must cancel your enrollment before a class becomes a FINAL SALE you must notify us by EMAIL to be issued a credit, minus a $15.00 cancellation fee for each class cancelled.
- NO TRANSFERS to future programs or dates will be accommodated after the first day of any program. Transfers due to injury will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are unable to attend last minute you are welcome to send someone in your place. Please contact Bay State Fencers in writing, by fax or email with your replacement's name, address, phone number and email address.
- All Bay State Fencers Club Memberships and USFA fees are non- refundable and are considered a FINAL SALE at time of purchase.
- Scheduled or unscheduled absences from fencing programs may be made up by attending any other program for the student's age group during the current term only.
- If Bay State Fencers cancels a fencing program for any reason, you will have the option of transferring to another section of the same program or to receive a full refund of all program fees. Membership and USFA fees are non-refundable.
- Bay State Fencers fencing programs are for student's age 7 and older. Young children, when accompanied by an adult may observe at any time.
- Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the fencing floor.
Private Lesson Policies
Selecting a Coach is a big step in a fencer's athletic life and having a private coach is both a priviledge and a responsibility. Coaches are committed to assisting fencers attain their athletic and competitive goals by developing a individualized program of training for each fencer. Private lessons are an integral part of most fencer's athlectic program. In turn, fencers are expected to demonstrate respect for their coach by practicing good etiquette.
It is essential that fencers only work with one private lesson coach at a time. Coaches invest a great deal of time and effort in developing a program of training for their fencers. Conflicting methods of training can be detrimental to a fencer's athletic development.
- Private Lessons are by appointment only and should be scheduled in advance directly with your lesson coach.
- Arrive for lessons on time and be ready to fence at the scheduled lesson time. If a fencer is going to be late for any reason the coach must be contacted directly by personal cell phone.
- If you are unable to attend a scheduled lesson, it is your responsibility to contact your coach directly by personal cell phone or email 24 hours in advance to reschedule the lesson time/date.
- All coaches may be reached directly via personal cell phone or email. DO NOT leave messages for coaches on the Club voicemail.
- Payment is due to the coach for each private lesson in advance or at the time of the lesson. Coaches accept cash and checks at lesson time.
- Forgetting to pay for a lesson is very insulting. Further lessons may not be given until the coach is paid in full.
- Once a lesson is scheduled the fencer is financially responsible for that lesson fee.
- The club sets the lesson rate, the current rate is $35.00/30 min lesson
- Only work with one private lesson coach at a time, Coaches invests a great deal of time and effort in developing a program of training for the fencer. Conflicting methods of training can be detrimental to a fencer's athletic development.
- Any fencer currently enrolled in our Competitive Program that is determined to be taking lessons from a non BSF coach will be dropped from the program and all fees will be refunded less 15% processing fee.
- Club members & currently enrolled students have priority for lesson times. Lessons for non-members will be scheduled as time allows.
- Non-members may take two (2) lessons without club membership. After taking two (2) lessons, a non-member must become a Bay State Fencers Club member.
- Non-members must pay the daily floor fee of $10 or $5 for students with a current ID to the desk AND the lesson fee prior to the lesson.
Code of Conduct
Bay State Fencers (BSF) is open to anyone interested in participating in the Olympic sport of fencing. However, participation at BSF is a privilege, not a right. Along with this privilege come certain expectations of behavior by all fencers, guests and staff in accordance with this Code of Conduct.
- Be respectful while fencing and in your daily life. Lose with honor and win with dignity.
- Do not appear on the strip with defective equipment or with a dirty uniform.
- Respect and protect the venue: do not damage walls, floor or strips. Do not hit the wall, floor or strip with your point or blade.
- Do not throw any equipment under any circumstance. Respect club equipment as your own property. Before leaving the Salle, put away your equipment in your locker. Hang up your fencing jacket and pick up any trash in the locker room.
- When entering the Salle, greet the Fencing Master and all members; do not interrupt lessons or bouts. Leaving the Salle, give your regards to the Fencing Master and other members before you leave.
- If you are late for a class, join the class with the least amount of disruption. If you can't make a class, practice or scheduled lesson, let your coach know ahead of time.
- Less experienced fencers should ask more experienced fencers to bout. Experienced fencers should encourage and teach beginning fencers.
- Safety is very important; always check your equipment for defects in gloves, masks, uniforms and blades. Never aim your weapon at anyone who is unmasked or unprotected. Always keep your weapons pointed downward when carrying them around.
- At the end of a bout, shake your opponent's hand with your non-weapon hand.
- Never argue with a referee, opponent, coach or instructor.
- Do not try to unfairly influence others to give you an advantage, such as throwing a bout, giving touches or tampering with your equipment.
- Active members of BSF agree to only take lessons exclusively from BSF coaches- recognizing the need for consistency of training, effective monitoring of progress, and developing a strong student-coach relationship. Should active members wish to take lessons outside of BSF, they must discuss this with their BSF coach for his/her approval.
- Ejection - If at any time a fencer or guest threatens the safety of other fencers, guests or coaches a member of the BSF staff may immediately escort the threatening individual from the premises.
- No Discrimination - Fencers, guests and staff of BSF are expected to treat other fencers, guests and staff at all times and in all respects in a manner free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Fencers who don't comply with this code of conduct may be subject to sanctions; exclusion from fencing activities, no fencing lessons or expulsion from the club.
Repeat violations will be reviewed by the Director and Senior Coaching Staff.
Waivers
USE OF IMAGES, NAME IDENTIFICATION: I authorize Bay State Fencers to use images of me and/or my child with and/or without identification for Bay State Fencers publicity, promotional and advertising and release any and all claims and/or rights I and/or my child might have as a result.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY: I agree to indemnify and hold harmless, and hereby release, Armoryworks, LLC d/b/a Bay State Fencers and its managers, coaches, instructors, members, guests and other participants, and the United States Fencing Association from all claims, liability, demands, or actions of any kind in connection with my participation in any training session, program, tournament, or other activity that I may attend at Bay State Fencers, or any other athletic or training activities sponsored by Bay State Fencers on or off the club premises. This includes, but is not limited to, claims, liability, demands, or actions for personal injury or property, damage or loss. This agreement shall be binding on my personal representatives, heirs and assigns.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I understand that athletic activity involves physical exertion and risk of injury, and that the sport of fencing involves aggressive physical contact with other participants. I assume the risk of injury or other medical conditions arising as the result of my participation in any athletic activity in which I engage at Bay State Fencers. I understand that it is my responsibility to wear appropriate clothing to all training sessions. I understand that I am responsible for my own safety and for conducting myself in a safe manner at all times.
Bay State Fencers is a Member Club of the United States Fencing Association (USFA).