Forge Fencing Teams is proud to host the 2024 Bull City Regional Youth and Junior Circuit event on Saturday and Sunday, September 28th & 29th, 2024.
Events will feature Youth-8, Youth-10, Youth-12, and Youth-14 and Junior events in foil, epee, and saber styles of Olympic fencing. We are expecting 400 athletes with over 551 event registrations. Fencers and families from seven different states Region 6 of USA Fencing, including Forge Fencing Academy & Club in Durham, NC, will be attending – this will be an amazing event!
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 in Durham, NC. This is the largest regional USA Fencing event hosted in North Carolina and the second regional event to be hosted at this Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
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
The NC Central Parking Deck is open, available, and FREE for Saturday and Sunday. We encourage everyone to utilize the parking deck and walk to the Leroy T Walker Gym – we will have signs leading the way. If you choose to park at one of the visitor lots or street parking around campus, please avoid any parking spaces with “Reserved” signs, as you may be towed from those spots. These spots fill quickly! We strongly suggest that parents drop off your athlete and their gear at the Walker Gym, and then park in the NC Central Parking Deck.
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. Due to the size of the event, our armory staff will be handling equipment check and on-strip calls. They will not have availability to assist with personal equipment repairs. Be sure your equipment is in excellent working condition, and please utilize our vendor to assist you with equipment needs. 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, September 27th from 5:00pm and close promptly at 7:00pm for athletes who would like to 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.
Youth 10 Women’s Saber at the 2023 Bull City tournament.
Event Flow
We are expecting to have a fun and exciting weekend welcoming 550 athletes. Please double check your EVENT TIMES. To help everyone we are asking:
Friendly staff at the Bout Committee welcome experienced and newer fencers alike.
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. SafeSport contact 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:
Forge believes community effort creates a positive sport culture. Forge Teams was founded to help fulfill this mission by building leaders and fostering equity in sport fencing.
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, Duke’s Homecoming & Centennial is this weekend, with a major concert at Duke Friday night, September 27th, and the Duke football team plays rival UNC at Duke 4pm on Saturday, September 28th. It is also Pride weekend, with a Music and Market Festival on Saturday afternoon and evening, and the parade from downtown to Duke’s East Campus 11am-1pm on Sunday, September 29th. Expect traffic and some road closures in these areas for these events.
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. Photo courtesy of Discover Durham.
We are excited to welcome you to this event, and to our town! Email Annette Moore at Resipsa1208@gmail.com for questions or concerns.
The Forge Foundation, a 501(c)3, works “To build leaders and foster equity through community organizing and educational programming within the Olympic and Paralympic fencing movement.” Find out more at the Forge Teams website.
Find out more at the Forge Teams website.