About Us
The International Fencer Council, Inc. (IFC) was founded in January 2009. The mission of the organization is to promote the exchange and training of international fencing students to foster and promote the development of national (United States) and international amateur fencing competition. The program is designed to foster, promote, and sponsor international fencing students to travel to the United States to study and practice fencing with American students and teachers.
The International Fencer Council is a non-stock corporation that complies with the provisions of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. We are managed by a Board of Directors and have no shareholders. Individual and business memberships are available! Please contact us for more information.
Who we are:
The International Fencer Council is dedicated to promoting scholastic and athletic development and competition within the High School fencing communities in the United States and their international counter-parts. It seeks to advance the development of competitive, Olympic quality fencers and athletes in addition to providing a positive experience for young men and women by helping them to mature as responsible, balanced and committed United States citizens. In addition to expanding opportunity for scholastic fencers and athletes, it strives to promote understanding of shared values and interests between America and other cultures world-wide.
Why we are needed:
Currently, US fencers have extremely limited exposure to fencing athletes outside the United States in the Cadet (under 17 years of age) and Junior (under 19 years of age). The United States Fencing Association restricts the number of fencers who can travel to Canada, Europe, South America and Asia for fencing competitions to a dozen male or female fencers to any of the 9 competitions each year. Based on the rules of the international fencing associations, only the top tier fencers have the opportunity to travel; the majority of American fencers (98%) will never have exposure to international fencing competition. As a result, they lack the opportunity to build fencing skills in a numbers-limited sport to a level needed to grow competively and foster friendships with other international citizens in a sport well suited to promote multi-cultural understanding.
What we do:
The IFC fosters opportunities and connections with fencers, fencing clubs, families and national fencing associations in the United States and overseas locations. The organization builds and expand this network through participation in World Cups, World Championships, Pan Am Games and similar venues. The IFC also promotes opportunities and exchanges between American fencers, fencing clubs, families and their counter-parts in Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. Developing a network for clubs, fencers and their families to share information and opportunities to exchange and host fencers from Europe to the United States for routine practices and special competitions, it will allow foreign clubs to welcome U.S. youth fencers to travel to countries around the world for similar experiences. The IFC also fosters opportunities and connections with fencers, fencing clubs, families and national fencing associations in the United States and overseas locations and will build and expand this network through participation in World Cups, World Championships, Pan Am Games and similar venues.
