KW 2012 Programs and Pricing
In order to integrate recent advances in sport science into our programming, and to ensure that we continue to offer the highest quality programs what we can, this year, Excelsior Fencing Club will be aligning all of our activities with the Long-term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. Under this new framework, all of our classes and programs will fall into three general categories: Instructional, Competitive and Free Fencing. Instructional programming builds the foundational skills for fencing. Fencers progress through a series of XEL “Challenges” that will ensure that fencers acquire, and are able to utilize skills that will be essential for success on the piste. In parallel, fencers will be able to achieve certification through the Canadian Fencing Federation’s Instructional Program, which introduces a merit badge system to the sport of fencing. The Competitive programs are under development in Stratford and are expected to come to Kitchener over the next 12 months. Free fencing is our “play time”, and an opportunity to put skills to the test in a fun, safe, but competitive environment which also adds a vital social component to all of our programs.
This year, all of our programs will be operating in a proficiency-based framework, with fencers being required to demonstrate key skills before being invited to join more advanced classes. There are many reasons for this approach: good technique in fencers will allow enjoyment in the sport for longer and build a strong foundation for those wishing to compete, and keeping fencers with similar skill sets together allows our coaches to target these classes to the needs of the fencers more precisely. It is a significant paradigm shift compared with the programs we have run over the last few years, but it’s a key step in our evolution.