1. Welcome
The aim of this toolkit is to support the club and its development aims and
ambitions. It is also used to help the club to submit an application for
approval as a SwordMark accredited club.
The process is based on six stages:
See where you are at present in relation to the Swordmark criteria
Decide where you wish to go long term (The Development Plan)
Getting people trained
How you are going to get there (Short Term Goals & SwordMark)
Policy and procedures within your club
Presenting the evidence
6a. Top tips from other clubs

2. SwordMark Criteria - Where Is the Club at Present?
The aim is to challenge your thinking on the development of the club and to identify the aspects of the quality environment that the club is already providing. It may also highlight some areas where the club will need develop to meet the nationally recognised standard, which is covered by the British Fencing Swordmark accreditation
The self audit asks you to score the club processes.
2 - we can meet the criteria
1 - we meet some of the criteria
0 - we meet none of the criteria
Click here to begin
Remember to save the audit for your reference and share with British Fencing at

3. Your Club in the Long Term.
Where do you realistically wish your club to be in the future.
By following these six steps you should be able to create and use
the plan for your club:
Think about who should be involved – whose plan is it?
Consider where your club is at now
Where do you want your club to be in the future?
What are you aims and objectives?
What content needs to be in your plan?
Remember to use and review regularly
For further information and support click here

4. Get People Trained
The provision of a high quality fencing experience for the participants is a key factor in the recruitment and retention of participants.
From a SwordMark perspective this means by:
having suitably qualified coaches
an understanding of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults
a club that recognises equity and diversity, which challenges inequitable behaviour
Click for
Course lists
Sportscoach UK
Club Matters

5. Action Plan for Short Term Club Development
and SwordMark Accreditation
Based on your self assessment and your longer term planning, you can identify and agree tasks you wish and need to complete
Once you have done that, can you add the how, who, costs, and when.
Examples - Action plan with one task
Objective
Actions
Resources
Lead / Supported by
Timescale / Deadline
Progress
Engage with the current members on their general / overall levels of satisfaction
Start of season parents meeting
Questionnaire on events and competitions
£x.xx
John Doe and referee assistant
August – October

6. Policy and Procedures
Your self audit will highlight the policies and procedures you have in place. It will also identify the gaps. Below are a links to a number of policies and useful templates. It is advisable that all documentation is read and adjusted to fit your club
British Fencing
General Policies
Welfare
Equality
Safety Guidelines
Sport England
Club Matters
Clubmark
Resoucre Library
Club Development Plan

7. Presenting the Evidence
The evidence for Swordmark accreditation is assessed in two ways:
Submission of an evidence via web form – the web form is completed in two ways 1) Uploading club documentation and completing information requests.
Site visit by a nominated officer to cover the physical checks.
To arrange access to the web form and arrange a site visit please contact via
The club may consider how it is going to implement the policies,
procedures etc. Clubs have used their web pages, produced
coaches' handbooks, information packs and included information
in newsletters or parents welcome packs,

8. Top Tips From Other Clubs
For the maximum benefit for your club, approach the process as a development tool, not a series of criteria to fulfil
Try to build a group of people to work the process, allocate small sections to each person/sub group
Once you start, try not to stop, if it gets left for more that 6 months you will probably need to start again.
Identify the area which you will struggle to control e.g get people on course. Prioritise these areas, as they can cause delays in accreditation
Don't be afraid to ask your local County Sports Partnership, they have been through the process and can support you club
Make your evidence file easy to assess, simple labels can reference the criteria. This will also highlight any incomplete criteria to yourself before submission