Check out this Virtual Scoring Machine software/hardware package. Looks like a great way to set-up an inexpensive and very effective scoring rig. Maybe the next club purchase, what do you think?

Link to VSM webpage

Karen B and I set up our new rubber practice strip on Thursday night. It seems to work very well, grip is good and it seems to want to stay on the ground, not buckle under heavy movement. It is heavy to move, so it rolls up as two sections to be stored in the storage room about 60 kgs each!

It should be a real asset on Thursday nights, it will give our members  a closer competitive experience in a bout, and get us all in the mood to try out our skills in the NSWFA comps.

Hi MFC members.

With our large intake of beginners this summer (and what talented beginners they are), space has been at a premium on Monday nights. The temporary solution has been to grab the dining room space at Mid Mountains, and that has eased the pressure a lot. We have decided on a long term solution to the expanding club and that is to add an additional training night. The hall is free from 7.30 on Thursday nights so we have booked the slot,  the club is big enough now to warrant it and we will all benefit from the opportunity to fence twice a week.

So Monday will remain as the beginners course and general club training, and Thursday nights as drills and dry and electric bouting.

Thursday is not for our beginners, only for fully paid members of the club. Any beginners who decide to stay with us after the course is finished are then welcome to come along.

The hall is booked as of this Thursday the 4th so feel free to come along.

Do remember that Richard may not make many of the Thursday night sessions, so keep your focus on the regular Monday training nights, just use Thursday as an additional night to get some fencing in!

Cheers

Ross

This might be a good event to try out your fencing skills and have a weekend in Canberra:

The ACT Fencing Association in conjunction with the NSW Fencing Association is pleased to announce the ACT 2010 Canberra Day Tournament Incorporating the JG Fencing Novice Foil Competition.

Venue: Southern Cross Stadium Tuggeranong

Date: March 6th and 7th 2010

All Fencers must be affiliated through their state organisation to the AFF
Cost will be $20 Per Event (After the 28th of February $30 per event)
Dress requirements: Full Breeches and Fencing Jacket Required for Opens. Long pants and Fencing Jacket required for Novice Events. Masks to be 350 nw.
(Limited hire equipment will be available at the venue)

You will need to Affiliate/Register with the NSWFA to be involved in the competition, but that is as little as$40 for access to all the novice comps for 2010.

More information in this attached event pdf flyer: ACT 2010 Canberra Day Tournament

Following the receipt of lab results from the FIE Visor foil mask which was pierced at the 2009 European Junior Championships in Odense (November 2009), the FIE issued an urgent letter stating:

Therefore, the Executive Committee has decided to suspend and
forbid, until further notice, the use of the transparent visor mask
both in foil and epee, at all FIE official competitions.

It was found that the failed mask did not adhere to all of the manufacturing recommendations of the FIE. Full text of the letter can be found on the FIE site.
According to the testing report released by the FIE (link), the Uhlmann mask that failed for several reasons. One disturbing line in the report noted that the visor material was labeled as LEXAN but, according to testing, was not true LEXAN material.

A remarkable outcome of this evaluation was that material used is
not Sabic Innovative Plastic polycarbonate with brandname
LEXAN. The visor was manufactured by means of an injection
moulding process stead drapeforming. Material used was an
uncoated polycarbonate.

In response to the report, Leon Paul release the following statement:

This weekend following the receipt of a technical report regarding the failure of a Uhlmann transparent mask at the 2009 Junior European Championships the F.I.E. have temporarily suspended their use at its competitions for foil and epee. Leon Paul have reviewed all the technical evidence and the reports from the independent technical advisor who tested the mask that failed and two other independent experts. All of this confirms our continued belief that a mask that is made according to the FIE rules that incorporates in its design all of the features that are suggested in the FIE rules is perfectly safe provided it is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

It is essential that the mask is:

Made with a visor made from Lexan not a generic polycarbonate.
Made with a drape formed rather than injection molded visor.
Made in such a way that the visor when inserted is not stressed or bent out of its natural shape and or the fixing mechanism cannot be over tightened. .
Made in such a way that there are no sharp edges in contact with the main visor.
Made with a coated visor to help protect it.

Immediately following the original incident, German equipment manufacturer FWF noted that it refuses to manufacture a visor mask due to their concerns over the safety of the product.

Huge roll up for the course last night! I took a few over the 20 limit thinking the would be a few no shows but everyone who wanted a spot made it. I think we all had a good night and got off to a good start with some basic foot work. I want everyone to have a recap on those basics before next Monday, all the information is on the sheet that I handed out last night.

Next Monday we will continue to work on the basics and later in the evening we will get you sorted with your fencing kits. I Look forward to seeing you all next Monday.

Ross