Clubs
Looking for a club?
There are many great fencing clubs across NSW where you can learn and practice fencing – a current list is here.
Most clubs are members of NSWFA, and some are not. If a club is a member of NSWFA, this means that their fencers can represent the club in NSWFA competitions, and that the club is bound by NSWFA policies. Clubs should also provide child safe environments – if you’re the parent/guardian of a fencer aged under 18 years, some guidance is here.
Support for clubs
NSWFA aims to support clubs to operate successfully and with best practices. The guidance offered below is to help all clubs. For clubs who are members of NSWFA, we can provide additional support, and welcome your feedback and ideas as to what support you need.
Club membership of NSWFA
Whilst membership of NSWFA isn’t mandatory for clubs, it does offer benefits such as:
- Insurance, including a Certificate of Currency often required by venue owners
- Inclusion in the rankings system
- Eligibility to attend camps and other development sessions
- Eligibility for your fencers to represent your club in competitions
- Eligibility to enter teams competitions
- Eligibility for AFF National Club Team Championships
- For regional clubs, eligibility to train at state squad session once a month at no charge
- Eligibility for NSWFA Grand Prix awards
- Where possible, collaboration on specific support your club may need.
Membership also gives NSWFA more complete data about participation which can be used when advocating for funding and other opportunities to benefit fencing generally.
| Membership for a club with less than 50 members $115 | Register |
| Membership for a club with 50 members or more $230 | Register |
Membership is by calendar year, and is due by 31 January each year.
Clubs checklist
Whether you’re opening a new club, or have an established club, this checklist includes mandatories for all clubs, as well as additional suggestions.
Mandatories
Business structure
Your club is a business, and its structure is up to you. Whether you operate as a sole trader, a company, an incorporated association or other type of entity, you must be in compliance with all requirements related to your business structure.
Child safety
Legislation passed in 2021 requires child-related organisations to implement the Child Safe Standards. To support you in strengthening your club’s implementation of the Child Safe Standards, there is a range of training and resources available which we recommend to you, including the Child safe self assessment from the Office of Children’s Guardian, tips from the Office of Sport, and eLearning from the Office of Children’s Guardian, and Sport Integrity Australia/PBTR.
WWCC
Unless exempt, everyone at your club who works with people aged under 18 years, including coaches, staff and volunteers, must have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). You must also verify online the WWCCs of your staff and volunteers.
Insurance
Some types of insurance are compulsory for your business.
Recommended
Member Protection
Information Officer (MPIO)
This is an important role in your club – the MPIO is the first point of contact for members with any concerns. PBTR offers training for your MPIO.
ABN
Not all businesses are required to have an ABN, however it can be beneficial to have one as many grant providers require you to have one in order to apply for a grant.
Membership of NSWFA
Membership offers clubs many useful benefits, and is also a way to contribute to participation data which can be used to advocate for support for fencing in NSW.
Membership of Sport NSW
Sport NSW is the peak body for sport in the state, and offers a range of benefits to members, including webinars, training and awards.
Policies
Policies help everyone be clear about the practices and expectations at your club. Play By The Rules (PBTR) has a range of policy templates which you can use for your club.
Admin system
An admin system such as Assemble Sports, Revolutionise, or TidyHQ, connected with a payment gateway such as Stripe, can help you manage your club.
Fundraising
There is support available which your club may be eligible for, including:
https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants
https://fundraise.sportsfoundation.org.au/grants
https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-grant-program
https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants
Businesses in your local area may also be interested in sponsorship opportunities.
Competition software
Fencing Time is excellent for running comps of all sizes.
Additional resources
- ACPE Education Hub – register to access a range of useful video seminars from industry professionals
- ClubHelp – a VIC organisation but with a lot of great resources
- ‘Empowerment and participation: a guide for organisations working with children and young people’ – Office of Childrens’ Guardian
- Game Plan – tool by the AIS to help clubs build capability
- Not-for-profit-Law (by Justice Connect) – a charity legal service with excellent resources on governance and operations if your club is not-for-profit
- NSW Institute of Sport – a range of useful resources on training, nutrition etc
- NSW Office of Sport – grants, governance, operations, researc, information for running a sports club etc
- Our Community – governance, training, fundraising etc for not-for-profit clubs
- PBTR (Play by the Rules) – online training including courses in inclusive coaching and mini courses
- Pride in Sport – resources for LGBTQ inclusive sport
- Sport Integrity Australia – information and resources
- Sport Integrity Australia – training in clean sport/anti-doping
- SportAUS – governance training
- SportAUS/AIS – links to online training, coaching resources and research
- SportAUS/AIS – resources for community coaching and high performance coaching
- Sports Governance Principles – from AIS
- Supporting mental wellbeing in community sport – resources from Orygen
- SportAUS – grants, governance, operations, research from the Australian Sports Commission
- Youth participation guidelines – from AIS