City of Thunder Fencing Policies (Effect 8/1/2019)
Oklahoma City Fencer Club/City of Thunder Fencing (OKCFC) is a private fencing club requiring membership. As a result, the club reserves the right to terminate a membership for any cause, including, but not limited to, failure to follow club policy.
MEMBERSHIP POLICY
Oklahoma City Fencers Club/City of Thunder Fencing (OKCFC) is a member of the US Fencing Association and is governed by its rules and those of the US Olympic Commission and its Safe Sport policies.
The student must have an OKCFC recreational or competitive membership.
Payment for the above activity is due before the student may join in any activity, regardless of the type of event. Membership fees are due the 1st of every month. Payment made after the 5th will be assessed a $20 late fee. Any dues or balances on account remaining after the 5th will be automatically charged to the card on file.
The student is required to maintain a US Fencing association membership (recreational $10 membership at minimum).
The student is required to keep a valid payment method on file for ad hoc charges like armory fees, event fees, late fees, late membership dues and other valid and communicated charges. Charges outstanding at the 5th of every month will he charged to the card on file.
Memberships automatically renew each month. While there is no contract, should you wish to drop your membership the student is required to notify the OKCFC of cancellation by the 15th of the prior month to avoid being charged on the 1st. No refunds are given for months where the student does not attend and does not provide proper cancellation notice.
Failure to attend classes or bouting does not relieve the student of the obligation to pay the full membership, fee or tuition for the program or phase in which they are enrolled.
Vacation or medical membership holds may be placed for up to 4 weeks. Vacation holds require a 10 day notice. Medical holds are on a case by case basis.
OKCFC or any party designated by OKCFC may photograph or film me while engaged in fencing activities with OKCFC at their facility or at fencing events or tournaments and use of any and all such photos, video footage and/or video streaming for promotion, sales, publicity and advertising purposes for all media, including, but not limited to, the internet.
The required physical exertion may be strenuous and cause physical injury, and I am fully aware of the risks and hazards involved. I hereby represent that I am physically fit to receive and participate in the prescribed course of instruction. I acknowledge that I have been advised to consult with a physician prior to and regarding my participation in the Classes and that my physician has confirmed to me that I have no medical condition which would affect my full participation in the Classes.
Participation in all sports and physical activities involves certain inherent risks and, regardless of the care taken, it is impossible to completely eliminate all risk of injury. Fencing requires and promotes coordination, agility, and cardiovascular fitness. Activity may last for an hour or longer and alertness and attention are necessary. As in all sports, examples of injuries that may occur in fencing include (1) minor injuries such as bruises and abrasions, strains and sprains; (2) more serious injuries such as cuts, head and eye injuries, and joint damage; (3) catastrophic injuries such as heart attacks, paralysis and death (seven cases reported worldwide since 1937 - see Zemper, E., & Harmer, P. (1996) Fencing. in Epidemiology of Sports Injuries, D. Caine, C. Caine, K. Lindner (eds.), Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 186-195.) To help reduce the possibility of injury to yourself, your participating child, or others, all participants are expected to abide by the following rules:
All participants are expected to wear proper footwear.
All participants are expected to wear long pants while fencing.
All participants are expected to wear required protective equipment, including underarm protector, jacket, mask, and glove, as well as chest protector for youth and all female participants, while fencing.
All participants are expected to keep blade tips pointed down when not fencing, keep tips away from other participants' faces, and avoid wide and/or wild movements with blade or body.
All participants are expected to follow coaches' instructions, rules of OKCFC, and rules of the sport of fencing.
In order to keep participants from being distracted while fencing, parents, siblings, relatives, and friends of participants are expected to abide by the following additional rules:
Non-fencers are not allowed onto the fencing floor during classes, except with coaches' permission.
Non-fencers may not disturb or distract the class or participants by loud talking, playing, or other disruptive behavior.
Non-fencers are not allowed into the weight room and may not handle fencing or weight equipment.
Participants agree to release, remiss and forever discharge OKCFC, its directors, officers, instructors and staff and all persons acting under its authority and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns from and against all demands, claims, actions, damages, costs and expenses arising from or with respect to death, injury, damages to or loss to my person or property of any kind whatsoever, no matter how caused, arising from or in connection with my participation in the Classes or events whether or not caused by, in whole or in part, the negligence or gross negligence of OKCFC
Participants agree to hold harmless and indemnify OKCFC, its directors, officers, instructors and staff and all persons acting under its authority and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns from any and all liability for any damage or injury to the property or persons of any third party resulting from my involvement in or presence during any of the Classes.
Participants agree to comply with all the policies and regulations of OKCFC and the US Fencing Association (available at USFencing.org).
OKCFC is committed to protecting the privacy of personal of our customers. We make every effort to ensure that the information you share with us is recorded accurately, retained securely and used only according to your wishes. We collect personal details necessary to communicate with you, and manage our ongoing business relationship with you. If you have any questions about how your personal information is handled or distributed, or if you wish to receive a full copy of our full privacy policy, please contact our privacy officer.
OKCFC MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Club membership is required for participants to fence at OKCFC. Membership level at OKCFC allows a fencer to use the club facilities for the following activities:
Recreational Membership – May use for open bouting during regular business hours, on available strips and after classes have concluded. This membership also includes one selected class each week.
Competitive Membership – May use for open bouting during regular business hours, on available strips and after classes have concluded. This membership also includes up to 4 selected class each week.
WAIVER
All members of the club must sign a waiver to participate in activities at OKCFC. The waiver is a standard waiver utilized also by USFA.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Fencers taking private lessons should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled lesson in order to have sufficient time to dress and warm up and not cause delay for coaches and fellow members who also have scheduled private lessons. Adequate warm-up is absolutely necessary to avoid injury to the fencer, and should be taken seriously. Note, if you are late or not ready for your lesson, you run the risk of a shorter lesson or being placed at the next available open time slot of that day.
All scheduling has to through the OKCFC staff. Lessons can be taken only with the coach’s and OKCFC staff approval. Private lessons must be cancelled 24 hours prior to scheduled time or fencer will be billed for the lesson. A fencer must schedule their make-up lesson +/- 45 days of the cancelled lesson. In the event, you are aware that you will be missing a scheduled class in the future, you may schedule the make-up prior to that date, if necessary.
CLUB ETIQUETTE
OKCFC fencers will treat themselves, coaches, and fellow fencers with utmost respect. All fencers and visitors will place safety first.
OKCFC members will welcome and help each other both on and off the strip. OKCFC does not foster elitist athletes, so no fencer is above another regardless of skill. Fencers should be considerate of other fencers, including those younger and less experienced.
Fencers should bout freely and accept requests to bout with others respectfully. Fencers should try to accept requests to bout as often as they can, regardless of the opponent’s ability. All fencers start somewhere and we are all beginners at some point needing a more advanced fencer to help us improve.
Fencers should be courteous and share the strips, promote fencing amongst all our members, and give everyone equal time on the strip. Fencers are encouraged to come to the club for open bouting to improve skills, to work on techniques learned during class and private lessons, to build stamina and promote a team mindset with other members. Your fencing can be improved only by fencing! In addition, members attending tournaments represent OKCFC to the wider fencing community.
Members are bound under OKCFC, USFA, and US Olympic Committee (USOC) codes of conduct when fencing in competitions.
HOLIDAYS AND CLUB CLOSINGS
The club is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The club is also closed each for the USFA Summer Nationals.
Any unscheduled closing will be announced on OKCFC Facebook page or website. Members may also be notified by e-mail.
COACES AND COACHES FEES
Only OKCFC staff coaches or approved guest coaches may coach or provide private lessons at OKCFC. This is required to ensure appropriate requirements are met, such as the appropriate level of professional USFA memberships and the background checks associated with them. USFA Sanctioned tournament are an exception as a student may bring their coach in accordance with all USFA guidelines for sanctioned events.
Club coaches are ready to travel to the tournaments for strip coaching and practical help for your children to achieve better results. Coach expenses and fees for competitions are divided equally among the number of OKCFC fencers participating in specified local, national and international tournaments.
These include: • Airfare/transportation and overnight stay coverage for the coach • $100 in coaching fees per tournament day Fencers will be invoiced for respective fees and expenses after the event. Coaching fees do not apply to OKCFC members when the club hosts a tournament at its location in Edmond, OK.
OKC Fencers Club/City of Thunder Fencing Facility Use Policy (Effective 8/1/2019)
OKC Fencers Club/City of Thunder Fencing (OKCFC) facility use may be permitted under the following requirements. Clarification of the intent of this policy may be made at any time. Use of the facility is a privilege rather than a right and may be denied at any time for any reason.
The facility is for the sole benefit of OKCFC, its owners and to provide services to its members as part of its business activities.
Coaches may schedule a time to use the facility under the following circumstances:
If you are conducting any activity at OKCFC you are by extension representing OKCFC and its owners.
Persons representing OKCFC in a coaching, teaching or bout committee capacity must be in good standing with OKCFC, have their Professional USFA membership and Safe sports requirements up to date.
Participants must be a current member of OKCFC and have current USFA membership.
Activities scheduled and approved at OKCFC for other purposes, non-OKCFC members or non-USFA members must provide proof of their own insurance coverage.
The purpose of the scheduled use must be a direct or clearly enhancing activity to OKCFC.
Coaching activities may not occur during any scheduled club activities like classes or events.
All activities may be subject to a use fee, fee sharing or event revenue share to cover facility cost.
All activities not part of OKCFC regularly scheduled activities must be schedule and approved by David Ribaudo.
Alcohol use on the premises requires the express permission of OKCFC and its owners. In general, alcohol use will be limited to events and parties and may not be present during classes or other events deemed to be family friend or where families would have a reasonable expectation that their children not be in the presence of alcohol consumption.
Smoking is not permitted inside of the facility or within 15 feet of the door of OKCFC
Some equipment storage may be permitted, for example for coaches. When OKCFC provides the courtesy of storage, it is expect that lockers or spaces be kept free of food, trash or smelly gear. Gear must be stored in the designated location or taken home.
Any gear not claimed within 90 days becomes the property of the club
City of Thunder Fencing Coaches Policy (Updated 8/1/2019)
OKC Fencers Club/City of Thunder Fencing (OKCFC) is a private club in which coaching is a privilege extended by the ownership of OKCFC. As result, the club reserves the right to terminate or suspend coaching privileges for any cause, including, but not limited to, failure to follow USFA, Safe Sport or OKCFC policies.
All coaching activities must be approved by OKCFC Ownership.
All activities must adhere to the Facility Policy.
Coaches must maintain a USFA Professional Membership, background check and Safe Sports Certification.
Private lessons by coaches must be scheduled with OKCFC Staff who will assign a strip around regular club activities.
Unscheduled lessons will not be allowed out of courtesy for planned club activities.
OKCFC wishes to encourage and foster fencers at all levels of skill and competitive drive. For this reason, all students should be treated with the same level of respect and courtesy regardless of their goals as a fencer.
Lessons my not be held during classes, clinics, tournaments or other club events and should be scheduled accordingly.
When considering accepting a new student, coaches must do so in agreement with OKCFC staff. OKCFC Staff will provide a list of coaches and their respective students so that all coaches are aware and can honor the spirit of the Coaches Policy.
Coaches may not coach the student of another coach without the explicit permission of the other coach to do so.
Coaches may not coach their students during classes, clinics or any other learning events. This is unfair to other students who are learning and disrespectful to the class participants, guest and teaching coaches.
Coaching during open bouting is allowed under the following circumstance. For younger students, coaches may coach during bouting when both students are supported by a coach or another competent fencer. When coaching against an older student or an adult, the coach shall ask their permission to coach their student in the bout. The spirit of this is to ensure fairness and good sportsmanship when bouting.
Coaches may not recruit the students of another coach. If a parent / student wish to change coaches they should contact OKCFC Ownership to discuss a transition.
Coaches, both OKCFC and independent in affiliation with OKCFC, represent the integrity of the club and must conduct themselves accordingly.
Because the facility is a safe place for children, no alcohol is allowed at the club except for scheduled events (see facility policy).
OKCFC is a tobacco free zone and a zero tolerance drug free zone.
Any questions regarding the policies as outlined above, please feel free to contact management.