Forge Fencing Academy & Club is proud to host the 2023 Bull City Regional Youth Circuit event on October 14th & 15th, 2023. Events will feature Youth-8, Youth-10, Youth-12, and Youth-14 and Junior and Cadet events in foil, epee, and saber styles of Olympic fencing.
*Saturday Parking Update – Parking adjacent to the Walker Gym has been filling quickly and is nearing capacity. We strongly suggest that parents drop off at the Walker Gym, and then park in the NC Central Parking Deck. The deck is open all weekend and FREE for us. Google map link here!
The Venue
The Bull City USA Fencing Regional Event will take place at the Leroy T. Walker Physical Education and Recreation Complex located on North Carolina Central University’s campus. This is the largest regional USA Fencing event hosted in North Carolina and first known regional event to be hosted at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Raleigh hosted a Super Youth event last spring and Charlotte will host the USA Fencing Junior Olympic Championships this February 2024. “Fencing tournaments are big business in the Triangle, bringing in more than one million dollars this year. There have been three tournaments in Durham and one in Raleigh,” says Forge Teams president, Annette Moore.
North Carolina Central University is in close proximity to a welcoming downtown for dining, shopping, and entertainment with many chain and boutique hotel options within walking distance. To learn more about our unique city head to Discover Durham. The host hotel is the Durham Millennium and a special rate is available for visiting athletes.
Parking is available throughout campus. The lot adjacent to the gymnasium is available as well as several surface lots proximate to the gym. Please avoid any parking spaces with “Reserved” signs, as you may be towed from those spots. The NC Central Parking Deck is open, available, and FREE for Saturday and Sunday.
Equipment Control
Expect the same level of equipment control that you would find at a national tournament. Our professional and friendly armory staff will certify your equipment. Blue Gauntlet will be the equipment vendor and will stock commonly needed items such body cords, gloves, blades, saber lames, and more! Equipment control will be open on Friday evening, Friday 13th from 5:30pm and close promptly at 7:00pm for athletes who would like get their equipment checked early. Equipment control will open at 7:00am daily on Saturday and Sunday and conclude at the end of the events each day.
Event Flow
We are expecting to have a fun and exciting weekend welcoming 399 athletes. Please double check your EVENT TIMES. To help everyone we are asking:
- All participants must have a completed event waiver turned into Bout Committee in order to compete. Paper copies will be available onsite, or you can prepare ahead of time by downloading it here.
- Please bring only what you need to compete into the facility. Specific areas for fencing bags will be marked with signage. There is limited athlete and spectator seating available, bring a chair for to stay comfortable.
- Limited concessions are available via vending machines on the ground floor of the Walker Complex. Pearson Dining Hall is open on Saturday and Sunday, and is a short walk from the venue. We recommend you plan lunch and food accordingly. Water fountains are located on all 3 levels of the gym complex.
- Medals are awarded to the top 8 athletes in each event after the conclusion of the event.
- Have your USA Fencing card (printed or digital copy from your profile) ready to scan for check-in.
- We are updating the Tournament Event Page with information as we go.
- We have hired professional photographer, Rick Crank, to document the event.
- Remember to visit the Forge Teams Table for some awesome athlete swag, and for answers to any questions or assistance to athletes and families.
Forge Fencing Academy & Club Conduct Standards
Our competition will strictly adhere to USA Fencing Codes of Conduct, as well as SafeSport Guidelines including MAAP resources. Cathleen Randall will be on site to address any concerns or answer questions. In addition, our tournament has a specific set of guidelines outlined below. Every individual within our facility is expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, these behavior expectations:
- Show encouragement to all fencers.
- Keep comments positive.
- Respect personal and professional boundaries of fencers, referees and coaches by providing space and keeping safe distances away from the fencing floor.
- Allow coaches and team leaders to coach, support and give advice to their fencers.
- Volunteer if you want to be more involved: bout committee, food runs, photography or becoming an armorer are just a few ways our community can be supported.
- Leave officiating to the officials.
- Avoid or ignore drama and unnecessary controversy that is unproductive.
- Help make our events a positive experience for us all.
- Report disruptions of these agreements to any tournament staff member.
About the Bull City
On behalf of our community, we would like to thank everyone for supporting this event. This tournament is held in honor of our amazing city, Durham NC, and to the contributors over time who led the Ryder Cup and the Ned Light Memorial Region 6 tournaments. We would also like to thank the Durham Sports Commission and Charles E. Greene II. We would not be able to host this event without their support and vision for our city and this tournament.
Durham is going to be a very active city this weekend. Notably, the Bull City Race Fest will be taking place on Sunday, October 15. This is a large race that will impact some road closures in downtown. More info & road closure map available here.
We are excited to welcome you to this event, and to our town. Email info@forgefencing.com for questions or concerns.
Major the Bull is located at CCB plaza, adjacent to one of our favorite ice cream spots. Well worth a visit if you are downtown.