We, members of the fencing community, urgently call upon the United States Fencing Association (USFA) to address pressing scheduling concerns impacting our national events. The importance of these competitions cannot be overstated—they serve as invaluable platforms for personal growth, club promotion, and competitive preparation. However, the current scheduling flaws are significantly undermining the effectiveness and inclusivity of these events.

March NAC:
During the March National Event, we encounter scheduling conflicts that burden participants, particularly with the timing of certain events. For example, the CME event is scheduled on the first day, while the Y14ME event is slated for the last day. This arrangement compels fencers and their families to endure additional expenses and disruptions, including extended hotel stays and missed school or work days. Such logistical challenges place undue strain on participants and detract from the overall experience of the event.

Furthermore, the simultaneous 8 am start times for various events on Monday create practical difficulties for coaches, as this makes it nearly impossible for coaches to provide adequate coaching support, which is crucial for fencers, especially at national events where guidance and advice can significantly impact performance and development.

April NAC:
Similar scheduling issues persist in the April National Event, particularly concerning team competitions. The overlap between Division 1 Men's Epee team and Junior Men's Epee events significantly diminishes team participation and undermines the integrity of team championships. Additionally, the low turnout in team events across multiple categories highlights the urgent need for scheduling adjustments to encourage greater participation and competitiveness.

Summer Nationals:
The recently published schedule for the Summer Nationals has elicited widespread frustration and concern among coaches, parents, and fencers alike. Conflicts arise across almost all categories, severely impacting the participation and success of various events. Some specific conflicts include:

• Women's Epee: Cadet and Senior Team events clash, forcing athletes to choose between team and individual competitions.
• In almost all other weapons and genders: Veteran events clash with either Senior Team, Division 1A, or Division 2 events, limiting the participation of veterans who often engage in multiple divisions and team competitions.
• Men's Foil: Division 1 and Junior events are spread over 4 days, placing an unnecessary burden on participants and increasing expenses for extended hotel stays.

These scheduling conflicts not only disrupt participants' plans but also undermine the integrity and competitiveness of the tournament as a whole.

Some changes are required to alleviate these issues. These changes include, but are not limited to:

• Having one event ONLY per weapon per 1/2 day with a minimum of 5 hours in-between (technically 8 am event and then 1 pm).
• Reducing the number of concurrent Direct Elimination bouts (for example, to no more than 32 in the table of 256), reducing the number of fencers that compete at the same time. While this cannot completely guarantee coaching availability, statistically limiting the number of concurrent bouts will enhance coaching opportunities for participants.
• Eliminating age-overlapping events in the same gender/weapon on the same day. For example, the Cadet and Senior Team, Veterans and Division 1A or Division 2, Veteran Age and Senior Team.
• Optimizing Age-adjacent events to be as close as possible for the same gender/weapon.

Immediate Action Required:
While we understand the challenges of managing such large-scale tournaments, we urge the USFA to prioritize resolving these scheduling issues and prioritize the following immediate actions:

• Withdraw the current Summer Nationals schedule.
• Initiate urgent discussions with a designated group of coaches and club owners to devise a revised schedule that incorporates the suggested changes. 
• Implement the revised schedule to ensure the equitable and efficient management of national fencing events, addressing all stakeholders' concerns while preserving the tournament's integrity and competitiveness.

This collaborative approach will ensure that the revised schedule reflects the needs and interests of all stakeholders while preserving the integrity and competitiveness of national fencing events.

We emphasize the importance of prompt action in addressing these scheduling concerns to safeguard the future of USA fencing. Your support in advocating for these necessary changes is vital in demonstrating the urgency and significance of this issue to USFA management. Together, let us work towards creating a more inclusive, accessible, and competitive environment for all participants in the sport of fencing.