The BFA will be introducing the new foil target area (i.e. conductive bibs) for Opens and Selection/ranking competitions for Juniors and Cadets as of September 2009.

The requirement is for: "Full FIE spec OR mask update inc. wire *"

* Mask update including wire:- retrofit conductive material covering the new valid bib surface on the outside of the bib, kit supplied by equipment suppliers and fitted by the owner of the mask. The fencer will also be required to connect the mask valid target to the conductive jacket by an approved specification mask wire, as per the FIE specification.

• The BFA have indicated an introduction date of September 2009 for Opens
• The WF executive have also decided to introduce this to the Welsh Domestic calendar from September 2009.  However, we will only require the mask update; we will not require the Full FIE Spec or the wire.
• To comply with BFA regulations, Junior and Cadet fencers will be required to conform with this for this season's British Championships;
• However, the British Youth Championships are not required to conform until the 2010/11 season.  In order to be consistent with this, Welsh Closed Youth tournaments will NOT require the mask update;
• This will apply to Junior and Cadet fencers, but will NOT apply to fencers using size 0/2/3.

Some examples of what this means:

• All Welsh Closed Senior tournaments WILL require use of the mask update, for senior, junior and cadet fencers (eg Welsh Closed Foil)
• Youth Competitions will NOT require use of the mask update (eg Welsh Youth Foil)
• BYC Qualifiers 2011 WILL  require use of the mask update, EXCEPT those using size 0/2/3.
• The Welsh Open WILL require mask update (full FIE spec, or mask update with wire)

To read the full BFA document, click here: