INDEX OF CONTENTS:

A.      Provincial Councils

B.      Life Members

C.      Association Blazers

D.      National Trophies

E.      Rules for the Award of a New Zealand Representative Blazer Pocket in Fencing

F.      Silver Fern Awards

G.     Under-20 Teams

H.      Planning Meetings

I.        Rules for Championship Events

J.       Fencing New Zealand Code Of Conduct

K.      Badges, Colours And Awards

L.      Minimum Equipment Standards for FeNZ Competitions

M.     Fencing New Zealand Selections and New Zealand Representation Eligibility

N.      List of recent changes to By-Laws

 

Fencing New Zealand makes every effort to ensure this copy of their By-Laws is current. In the event of any discrepancy, for any reason, the FeNZ By-Laws retained and maintained by the Management Committee shall have precedence.

 

A.      Provincial Councils:

1.      Each Provincial Council shall be managed under the terms of a set of rules approved by the Management Committee.

2.      All changes to the Provincial Council rules shall be notified to and approved by the Management Committee.

3.      One copy of the minutes of each and every meeting of the Council and or its Executive Committee and one copy of the Annual Report and Balance Sheet of the Council shall be sent to the Secretary General on or before one month after the date of every meeting.

4.      That for the purposes of FeNZ annual financial reporting accounts for the National body and all associated entities be aggregated into one set of accounts, this process to be adopted with effect for the 2007 year.

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B.      Life Members:

1.      The Association, in General Meeting, may grant Life Membership to any person who has rendered conspicuous service to the sport.

 

2.      Each proposed Life Member shall be nominated in writing; the nomination setting out fully the qualifications of the nominee.

 

3.      Nominations may be made by Provincial Councils, and/or the Management Committee.

 

 

4.      Any person granted Life Membership shall be exempt all monetary charges, levies and fees that may be charged by the Association but in all other respects shall retain all the rights and obligations of membership of the Association.

 

5.      The Life Member Peers committee.

The Life Members shall form a Peer Committee to act as Honours Award Committee to adjudicate on the nominations for Life Membership, Honours Awards and Honorary Membership.  this committee shall be facilitated by the President of the Association and those Life Members  wishing to partake will be circulated with the nominations which must be received at least 60 days prior to an Annual General Meeting.

 

6.      Service Award

The Service Award shall be granted by the Life Members for outstanding service in the interests of New Zealand Fencing. the Life Members may take into account the recommendations of the Clubs, Provinces, NZUFC or the Management Committee.

 

7.      Distinguished Service Awards.

The Distinguished Service Award shall be granted by the Life Members for extraordinary outstanding service in the interests of New Zealand Fencing. The Life Members may take into account the recommendations of the Clubs, Provinces, NZUFC or the Management Committee. Nominees shall come from the Service Award recipients.

 

8.      Honorary Membership Award.

This award may be made to members of the public who have shown outstanding service and interest in New Zealand Fencing and who are not members of any Club or province (except in certain cases, e.g. Patron, Solicitors, etc.) Nominations shall be restricted to one from each Province, NZUFC or the Management Committee. Each nomination shall be accompanied by a history of the nominee, setting out the grounds for the nomination.

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C. Association Blazers:

1.     The right to wear an Association blazer together with the approved pocket shall be awarded to:

a)       All winners of the New Zealand Senior Individual Championships

b)       Life Members and Honorary Members

2.     The blazer may be black.

3.     The approved pocket shall be labeled Life Member or Honorary Member, where appropriate, or at the option of the individual title holder, the weapon and year may be shown - all words and figures to be no more than 8mm high.

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D. National Trophies:

In the event of an overseas competitor winning an event for which there is a recognised permanent National Trophy the trophy shall be awarded to the highest placed competitor resident in New Zealand with the overseas entrant taking medallions, together with any other special prizes or trophies, only.

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E. Rules for the Award of a New Zealand Representative Blazer Pocket in Fencing:

1.     Eligibility

To be eligible for such award a fencer must be appointed by the Association either directly or by application in writing, as a member of a team, or as an individual, to compete in a specific tournament, or on a specific tour, as a New Zealand Representative. The appointment is to be made by selection from the best fencers available.

 

2.       Standard of Excellence

To qualify for this award a fencer must either:

2.1.     Be appointed by the Association to a NZ Olympic Games Team, in which case award is automatic or

2.2.     Be appointed by the Association to a NZ Commonwealth Games or Commonwealth Fencing Championships Team in which case award is automatic or

2.3.    Be appointed by the Association to a NZ Representative Team fencing a visiting overseas team in New Zealand, in which case award is automatic EXCEPTING where a fencer has been promoted out of ranking by the Selector(s) for some reason. In such cases the Selector(s) is to advise the Association of this in writing with his team selection, and condition concerning retrospective award is to apply or

2.4.    Be appointed by the Association to a NZ Representative Team to fence overseas either in a Teams  event or as an individual where the Selector(s) considers the fencer capable of attaining a ranking of 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in NZ. at the time of the event, in which case award shall be retrospective and on application to the Association, EXCEPTING where the entire team complies with the conditions of award, in which case award is to be made prior to the time of departure of the team.

 

3.       Application for AwardApplication for award may be made directly to the Association only under the following    circumstances:-

3.1.    If the fencer complies with the eligibility conditions.

3.2.    If the fencer competed overseas and did not receive the award prior to the tournament or

3.3.    If the fencer was selected by the Association to compete against a touring team in NZ. and did not receive the award prior to the event.

3.4.    The fencer must provide such information as is required either by the Selector(s) or the Association.

3.5.    Application must be made within 12 months from the completion of the tour or event.

 

4.       Recommendation bv Selector(s) to the Association for Award.

4.1      Such recommendation shall only be initiated by the Selector(s) when a complete touring  Team complies with the Standard of Excellence laid down prior to its departure. Recommendation is to be made when nominating the team to the Association and shall be in writing.

4.2      On application from a fencer for retrospective award the Association shall forward the details to the Selector(s) for recommendation.

In such instances the Selector(s) may, at his/her/their discretion, allow 12 months from the completion of the tour before making a recommendation. It is recommended that the Team Manager be consulted to ascertain comparative standards of competitors while on tour.

The Selector(s) shall forward his/her/their recommendation in writing to the Association.

         

5.       Notification of Award or Non-Award

 When an application for an award is lodged with the Association it shall within one week of reaching a decision advise the applicant(s) whether or not the application has been approved.

          

6.       Right of Appeal

6.1.    In instances where a fencer legitimately feels that his/her case has not been adequately considered he/she may appeal once in writing to the Association within two (2) weeks of receiving notification of non-award, supplying whatever additional information he/she can provide.

6.2.    The Association shall reconsider this case and the decision taken will be held as binding.

 

 

7.       Team Officials:

Team Officials appointed by the Association will be awarded the same uniform blazer pocket as team members with the appropriate title eg.“Manager” inscribed thereon.

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F. Silver Fern Awards:

a)       There shall be a Selector, and may be an Assistant Selector as decided at the preceding Annual General Meeting, to select NZ. Representatives in any one year, the term of appointment being from the end of NZ. Open National Championships in one year to the end of these Championships in the succeeding year.

b)       Each year the Selector(s) shall select teams of senior and Under 20 fencers when required for   international competition excepting that teams shall not be selected if the standard is not satisfactory.

c)       The NZ. Open and Under-20 Championships will be considered as Trials for selecting Open and Under-20 Representatives respectively for the following 12 months and the Selector(s) will provide recommendations to the Management Committee concerning the need for further trials.

d)       If fencers are unable to attend a Trial and still wish to be considered for selection they must present their excuses in writing to the Management Committee prior to the Trial except in cases of emergency when their excuses must be presented to the Management Committee as soon as possible. If the Management Committee considers the excuse adequate, it will forward the fencer's name to the Selector(s) for consideration.

e)       That the Selector(s) may at their discretion when selecting a New Zealand representative  team take into consideration the performance of NZ fencers overseas without requiring that they return to New Zealand.

f)         New Zealand representative blazer pockets will be awarded to fencers in paragraph (b) above who have been selected for and are available for:

·         Olympic Games or World Championships

·         Commonwealth Games or Commonwealth Fencing Championships

·         Oceanic Zone Championships

·         World U-20 Championships

·         New Zealand teams

·         or who are placed in the top four in any weapon at Australian Senior or U-20 Championships

 

g)       The Management of any National Team be open for nomination by all Councils in such time as to allow the appointment(s) to be made by FeNZ at least six months prior to the departure of the team and that when possible the Team Management include Coaches for the tournament specific weapon(s).

h)       The entries of New Zealand fencers for the Australian U15&17 and U20 National Championships be subject to formal selection by the National Selector and that numbers in each weapon be restricted to a maximum of eight with this policy to take effect in the 2008 season for U20s and the 2009 season for U15&17 Championships.

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G. Under-20 Teams:

a)      That the Under-20 team to Australia be accommodated under one roof close to the tournament venue for the duration of the tournament or if in separate groups each group to be under the control of a senior official.

b)      That no Under-20 team member fence in more than five (5) events.

c)      That the Team Manager be appointed at least two months before the date of the Australian   Under-20 Championship

d)      That the team be selected at least seven (7) weeks before the Championships.

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H.Planning Meetings:

Within two months of the Annual General Meeting a Planning Meeting is to be held at which the Management Committee will review and formulate policy, review results against targets set for the last year, decide and quantify annual targets for the next four year period. Minutes of this Meeting are to be posted to every registered school, university and senior club.

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I.      Rules for Championship Events:

1)       The Association shall hold Open Individual National Championships, Open National Teams Championships, Junior Individual National Championships, Cadet Individual National Championships, Under 15 Individual National Championship (Foil Only), National Schools Championships (Individual and Team).

a)       National Schools Championships for both individual and teams events to be held in the week designated by the Ministry of Education for winter National Secondary Schools competitions.

2)       The province to organise each National championships shall be designated at the previous year's Annual General Meeting.

3)       Within one month after each tournament the organising province shall submit to the  Association a brief report with results and a financial statement. Any profits and losses shall be accepted by the Association.

4)       The tournament programme is to be announced beforehand by the host province. F.I.E.                        rules shall be adhered to unless changes are approved by the Management Committee or the Directoire Technique, except in the case of the order of events, where the host province has the right to decide. Open Nationals are to be held over 3 or 4 days and the others over 2 days. (The guidelines set out in the NZAFA publication "Procedures for Organising a Fencing tournament" should generally be followed).

5)       All National Championships shall be open to all members of the F.I.E. provided that the  following conditions are met, namely:

a)       Entries shall be made on the official entry form (the entrant by placing his signature on the form indicates acceptance of the official rules of the tournament).

b)       Entries shall be made through a Provincial Council or the Management Committee (provided however that late entries may be made direct to the Tournament Organiser).

c)       The requirements for each tournament are met.

6.      Entry forms should be sent out at least 8 weeks before the tournament and entry fees should reach the Tournament Organiser at least 4 weeks before the tournament. Late entries may be accepted by the Tournament Organiser and must be accompanied by entry fees and late fee of up to $10 which is at the discretion of the Tournament Organiser. (A refund would be made if it was not possible to fit the late entry into the programme and the Organising Committee shall be responsible for this decision).

7.   All team fencers should wear their provincial colours.

8. Competitors may not leave the venue while the event in which they have been participating is                in progress unless they have the Tournament Controller's permission.

9. If an entrant does not compete then the Tournament Organiser may refund the entry fee, provided that a valid reason for not competing (e.g. illness, accident or a similar unforeseen incident) is submitted in writing to the Tournament Organiser before the affairs of the tournament are wound up.

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J.       Fencing New Zealand Code Of Conduct:

Fencing New Zealand (FeNZ) is responsible for the control and conduct of participants in the sport which includes players, coaches, managers, referees, administrators and spectators. All members of FeNZ and spectators attending fencing events are required to adhere to the following codes of conduct:

 

Fencing New Zealand is committed to the achievement of excellence in all aspects of its programming, performance and management. To support that commitment, Fencing New Zealand has developed these Codes of Conduct that set out the attitudes and standards of behaviour expected of all members. FeNZ will disseminate these Codes of Conduct widely and encourage all members of the New Zealand fencing community to be familiar with these principles. Fundamental to the achievement of higher standards is the understanding that we must first individually, and then collectively, take responsibility for our actions. Everyone has a role to play in making the sport of fencing strong and vibrant in this country. The values that define the standards FeNZ has endorsed are outlined below:

 

Respect

·         For officials, coaches and others in positions of authority

·         For team mates and opponents

·         For rules and regulations, as defined by FeNZ and our partners

·         For customs, practices and ideas which are different from our own.

 

Cooperation

·         Working and sharing with others toward a common purpose

·         To recognize the benefit of teamwork and demonstrate commitment accordingly

·         Treating people fairly and equitably

·         Building a strong New Zealand fencing team.

 

Commitment

·         Achieving success through planning and perseverance

·         Setting goals and working toward those goals

·         Becoming more determined and more focused than our competitors

·         Maintaining one's integrity in the face of challenges.

 

Pride

·         Participating with enthusiasm

·         Experiencing  achievement and accomplishment

·         Being a positive role model

·         Having pride in our sport and its people.

 

Responsibility

·         For own behaviour

·         For appropriate and constructive communication

·         For own performance as an individual and as a member of a team or community

·         To strive for excellence

Guidelines for Conduct of Participants In National Team Activities

 

 

Definitions

·   Participants are considered to be individuals who are seen to represent FeNZ at a particular event or on a FeNZ program.  Participants can be athletes, coaches, managers, referees and / or designated representatives.

·   Events and programs are tournaments, training camps, meetings and / or functions where FeNZ is seen to have an interest and is being represented by a designated individual or group of individuals by FeNZ.

·   The General Expectations a-h will also apply to supporters accompanying the team and everyone at fencing events.

 

 

Expectations

 

I.  General:

(a.)          Treat fellow participants with respect at all times.

(b.)         Work cooperatively with designated coaches, managers, and / or team leaders.

(c.)          Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in your National Team involvement.

(d.)         Ensure that one’s activities and / or behaviour does not jeopardize the safety of oneself or fellow participants.

(e.)          Provide information and opportunities for fellow participants to be meaningfully involved in the decisions that affect them.

(f.)           Do not engage in any type of derogatory behaviour or offensive language with fellow participants.

(g.)         Refrain from, and refuse to tolerate in others, all forms of harassment and discrimination related to gender, race, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, etc.

(h.)         Advocate the positive aspects of sport, i.e. sporting excellence, fair play, honest competition and effort, while refraining from any practices that would suggest favouritism or cheating.

 

 

II. Specific:

(a.)          Team Uniform – Wear the designated New Zealand Team or Club uniform at all times when at a competitive venue, and on other occasions as directed by the team leader / manager.

(b.)         Team Support – Actively support New Zealand Teammates, when otherwise not directly involved yourself.

(c.)          Commitment – Take part in all required team functions and meetings. Also, participants who are no longer involved in the competition should make it a practice to observe succeeding rounds, including the finals.

(d.)         Alcohol – If under the legal drinking age, refrain totally from the use of all alcoholic beverages. If over the legal drinking age, avoid alcohol consumption to a level that would reasonably be expected to impair performance and / or result in disruptive or unsafe behaviour.

(e.)          Illegal Substances – Refrain from using banned substances in contravention of the rules of the IOC, FIE and FeNZ. Actively discourage the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

(f.)           Consideration of Others – Refrain from activities and behaviours which may interfere with or distract others, thereby lessening their ability to focus on the competition.

(g.)         Initiation Activities – Refrain from initiation ceremonies, pranks, jokes, and other activities that endanger, embarrass and / or ridicule others.

(h.)         Hygiene – Practice daily cleanliness routines (body and clothing), particularly in consideration of close quarter living with fellow participants.

(i.)           Curfew – Respect curfew times set by coaches / manager and be particularly sensitive disturbing behaviour during designated “quiet times.”

 

 

 

 

Consequences

At the discretion of FeNZ selector and / or the Management Committee, and in consultation with those parties involved in the incident, the following consequences may be applied if expectations are not met:

 

1) Written or verbal reprimand.

2) Requirement of verbal or written apology.

3) Removal from the event.

4) Restriction from participation in future events.

5) Restriction from funding opportunities.

6) Revocation of FeNZ membership.

 

Reporting of Breaches of FeNZ Guidelines for Conduct

Breaches should be reported to:

(a.)       The designated Team Manager, Head Coach or Head of Delegation, or

(b.)      In writing, to FeNZ Selector or FeNZ President of the Management Committee.

 

Breaches reported while the team is at a competition or training camp should, ideally, be dealt with on-site. The Team Manager, or Head of Delegation, will be responsible for convening a small panel to review the reported breach. This panel must include an athlete representative. If the matter cannot be dealt with through this initial process, the issue should be directed to FeNZ President of the Management Committee.

 

Confidentiality of Reporting

Anyone wishing to report a breach of conduct guidelines should  maintain the greatest possible confidentiality, by discussing one’s concerns only with the above mentioned people designated specifically to deal with such concerns.

 

Participant’s Agreement

I have read and understand the “Guidelines for Conduct of Participants in National Team Activities” and agree to abide by them for the duration of the current competitive season.

 

 

Signature of participant: ________________________________________ Date: ___________

 

Guardian to sign if  under the age of 18 ____________________________ Date: ___________

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K.      Badges, Colours And Awards:

The FIE Publicity Code shall be respected and for New Zealand events, FeNZ encourages the wearing of Club, Regional, National and Proficiency Award badges or colours.

 

The badges / colours and awards that may be worn are:

·         FeNZ badges, colours and/ or Awards

·         Regional representative badge / colours

·         Club representative badge / colours

·         Fencing Proficiency Awards

 

If worn at New Zealand competitions the badges / colours may only be affixed to the top of the sleeve on the non-sword arm of the fencing jacket or on the side of the breeches (left or right). At electric sabre they may not be worn on the sleeve.

 

The above badges shall be considered authorised for New Zealand events when worn as required above. The number and surface area of the badges will be inclusive of that permitted by FIE Publicity Code Chapter IV, Section C, Item (b).

 

Any badge that forms part of a fencer’s sponsorship / advertising contract must be authorised in conformity with the Publicity Code. No image on a badge or colours may be offensive. FeNZ may determine the suitability of badges or colours.

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L.      Minimum Equipment Standards for FeNZ Competitions:

 

Fencers using size 3 blades or smaller (e.g. U13)

 

 

ALL other Fencers

 

 

FeNZ hosted Tournament with international component* (e.g. Oceanics)

*FIE foil and epee blades / S2000 sabre blades also required for all for all tournaments except those with size 3 blades or smaller – ie in line with FIE requirements.

 

Note:

1.    Tournaments overseas (eg Australia) will have their own equipment requirements dependent on he Fencing Federation and the type of tournament.

 

2.    These standards are intended for New Zealand ONLY.

 

3.    It will be expected that where a fencer can use equipment of a higher standard – eg 800N or breeches rather than long trackpants, then they will do so.

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M.     Fencing New Zealand Selections and New Zealand Representation Eligibility:

1. To represent New Zealand in our sport is to be an ambassador, for our country and our sport. Any current member who is a New Zealand Citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident has the right to consideration for Fencing New Zealand selections or to represent Fencing New Zealand. Only members who are New Zealand Citizens or a New Zealand permanent resident shall be eligible for any Fencing New Zealand selection or to represent New Zealand.
2. Eligible members shall loose their right to Fencing New Zealand selection or to represent New Zealand in the event of suspension, disqualification, or penalties or sanctions imposed or upheld by Fencing New Zealand under rule 9a (Discipline) of the constitution.

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N.       List of recent changes to By-Laws:

1)       Management Meeting 28^th January 2004 - addition of section K. Out of Competition Drug Testing

 

2)       AGM 26^th March 2005 - replacement of Section J Drug Testing Policy with a new Anti-Doping Policy for Fencing New Zealand. This is now meets the requirements of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), and Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).

 

3)       AGM 26^th March 2005 - addition of a new section L Fencing New Zealand Code Of Conduct.

 

4)       AGM 18^th March 2006 – Section I, paragraph 1. - addition of all the national championships we hold Open Individual National Championships, Open National Teams Championships, Junior Individual National Championships, Cadet Individual National Championships, Under 15 Individual National Championship (Foil Only), National School Team Championships.

 

5)       AGM 18^th March 2006 - Section K. Out of Competition Drug Testing be deleted.

 

6)       AGM 18^th March 2006 - Section L. Fencing New Zealand Code Of Conduct: renumbered to become K. Fencing New Zealand Code Of Conduct:

 

7)       AGM 18^th March 2006 - New section L. BADGES, COLOURS AND AWARDS.

 

8)       AGM 18^th March 2006 - New section M (effective from 1st January 2007) M. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

 

9)       AGM 31^st March 2007 – Section A Provincial Councils; Paragraph  4 added “That for the purposes of FeNZ annual financial reporting accounts for the National body and all associated entities be aggregated into one set of accounts, this process to be adopted with effect for the 2007 year.”

 

10)   AGM 31^st March 2007 – Section  I Rules For Championships Paragraph 1 add “National Schools Championships (Individual and Team)” at end of sentence. To Paragraph 1 add (a) “National Schools Championships for both individual and teams events to be held in the week designated by the Ministry of Education for winter National Secondary Schools competitions.”

 

11)   AGM 29^th March 2008 – New section N. Fencing New Zealand Selections and New Zealand Representation Eligibility:

 

12)   AGM 29^th march 2008 – For inclusion in By-Laws, section F, para g) “the Management of any National Team be open for nomination by all Councils in such time as to allow the appointment(s) to be made by FeNZ at least six months prior to the departure of the team and that when possible the Team Management include Coaches for the tournament specific weapon(s).”

 

13)   AGM 29^th March 2008 - For inclusion in By-Laws, “the entries of New Zealand fencers for the Australian U15&17 and U20 National Championships be subject to formal selection by the National Selector and that numbers in each weapon be restricted to a maximum of eight with this policy to take effect in the 2008 season for U20s and the 2009 season for U15&17 Championships.

 

14)   Management Meeting 22^nd November 2008 – Adoption of an amended suitable lower Minimum Equipment Standards including the clarification that “FIE maraging or S2000 blades are required for all tournaments except those with size 3 blades or smaller.”

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