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Fencing Forward
Research Initiative

Fencing Forward Research Initiative Survey

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At Fencing Forward, we believe fencing is more than a sport. It is a tool for cognitive and emotional development. As a youth-led 501(c)(3), our mission is to use fencing’s unique demands for strategy, focus, and discipline to help underserved youth build critical thinking, emotional regulation, and resilience. But to fulfill that mission, we first have to confront a hard reality: fencing is expensive, and the data to prove it simply doesn’t exist yet.

The research gap

In recent years, the rising cost of youth sports has drawn national attention. Investigative reporting from The Washington Post (January 2026), The New York times (2025), and ProjectPlay (2025) have documented how the youth sports industry has become a multi-billion dollar market — and how ordinary families are increasingly priced out.

Landmark studies from the Aspen Institute (2024), Good Sports (2025), Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (2025), The Harris Poll (2024), and Playground Equipment (2024) paint a consistent picture: cost is the single greatest barrier to youth sports participation. But every one of these studies tells the same story through the same lens — baseball, basketball, and football and other traditional sports. Fencing has never been included. The families and young athletes who choose fencing have no data representing their experience, no benchmark to point to, and no evidence base to advocate with.

Why this survey matters

This is the first national survey focused exclusively on the cost and accessibility of fencing in the United States. Your responses — whether you are an active fencer, a former fencer, or someone who considered fencing but never started — will help Fencing Forward build the evidence needed to:

Quantify what fencing actually costs American families each year
Identify the financial and structural barriers that keep young people out of the sport
Make the case for funding, scholarships, and community access programs
Demonstrate the connection between fencing participation and academic and emotional development

Take the Survey

This survey takes about 3–5 minutes. Your responses are anonymous and will help Fencing Forward understand the impact of cost and accessibility on fencing participation in the United States.

Fencing Forward Research Initiative Survey

📋 Adult fencers: If you are completing this survey about your own participation (not a child’s), please answer based on your experience before college — costs, barriers, and participation patterns during your pre-college fencing years. This helps us keep the data focused on youth access to the sport.

I am an adult completing this survey on behalf of my child

ℹ This survey covers one fencer. If you have more than one child who fences, please complete a separate survey for each child.

About you or your child

Sex / Gender *

Age *

School type *

School GPA *

Helps us explore the link between fencing and academic performance. Select N/A if not in school.

Learning differences or disabilities (select all that apply) *(select “None / Not applicable” or “Prefer not to say” if neither applies)

ADHD / ADD Autism Spectrum Learning disability (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.) Physical disability Other None / Not applicable Prefer not to say

Which best describes you (or your child)?

Section 1: Your Experience with Fencing

How did you first hear about fencing? (select all that apply) *

Please select at least one option.

Friend or family member School Olympics / TV Social media Online search Saw a competition or event I had not heard about fencing before this survey

Have you or your child ever seriously considered fencing? *

Yes, we seriously considered it We are currently considering it No, we never seriously considered it

Why not? *

What stopped you (or is stopping you) from starting fencing? (select all that apply)

Cost of equipment Cost of club membership or lessons No fencing club nearby Didn’t know how to get started No school fencing program Time commitment Chose another sport Physical concerns (injury risk, fitness) Other

Section 1: Your Fencing History

Weapon(s) fenced — select all that apply *

Foil

Epee

Sabre

Please select at least one weapon.

How long did you fence? *

How long ago did you stop? *

Why did you stop fencing? (select all that apply) *

Cost became too high Time constraints Moved away / no club nearby Lost interest School or program ended Injury or health Family or work priorities Lack of competition opportunities Other

Please select at least one reason.

Would you consider returning to fencing? *

Yes, definitely Maybe / unsure No, probably not

Section 1: Fencer Profile

USA Fencing competition age group(s) — select all that apply *

Senior covers any competition without a specific age restriction (Open, Div II, Div III, E & Under, etc.).

Youth & Junior

Youth-8 Youth-10 Youth-12 Youth-14 Cadet Junior

Senior

Senior (Div I, Div II, Div III)

Veteran

Veteran — Combined (40+) Veteran — 50–59 Veteran — 60–69 Veteran — 70+

Does not compete

Please select at least one age group.

Weapon(s) — select all that apply *

Foil

Epee

Sabre

Please select at least one weapon.

Years fencing *

Program type(s) — select all that apply *

School — Varsity / Junior Varsity Fencing club City / Park District Independent / private coaching

Please select at least one program type.

Rating level *

USA Fencing classifications are earned in tournaments. “A” is highest; fencers who haven’t yet earned an “E” are Unclassified (U). Classifications are weapon-specific — select your highest current rating based on your primary weapon.

Why do you fence? — select all that apply *

Select every reason that applies to you.

It’s fun / I enjoy it Physical fitness and exercise Mental focus and discipline Making friends / social connection Competition and challenge Academic benefits — focus, discipline College applications / résumé Family tradition Other

Please select at least one reason.

Section 2: Annual Costs

Enter your best estimate for the past 12 months. Enter 0 if not applicable.

Club membership & dues *

$

Equipment (mask, jacket, weapon, etc…) *

$

Private lessons & group coaching *

$

Competition entry fees *

$

Camps & clinics *

$

Miscellaneous *

$

Travel costs (for competitions)

Hotel & lodging *

$

Airfare *

$

Car rental *

$

Gas *

$

USA Fencing membership fees

Number of members *

Annual cost *

Parent(s) / Guardian(s)

#

$

Fencer

#1

$

Estimated total: $0

Section 3: Demographics

This information helps us understand who fencing is reaching and where gaps exist. All responses are anonymous.

USA Fencing region (State) *

Where do you live? *

Household income *

Race / Ethnicity (select all that apply) *(select “Prefer not to say” if you’d rather not disclose)

Please select at least one option.

American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian Black or African American Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish Origin Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Multiracial Other Prefer not to say

What would make you more likely to try fencing? (optional)

Section 4: Experience & Access

When fencing regularly, how does it affect the following? (optional — 1 = Decreased greatly → 5 = Increased greatly)

1
Decreased
greatly23
No
change45
Increased
greatly

Mental health

12345

Physical fitness

12345

Emotional control / discipline

12345

Social well-being

12345

Academic performance

12345

When not fencing regularly, how does your well-being compare? (optional — 1 = Much worse → 5 = Much better)

1
Much
worse23
About
the same45
Much
better

Mental health

12345

Physical fitness

12345

Emotional control / discipline

12345

Social well-being

12345

Academic performance

12345

How satisfied are you with the following aspects of fencing? (optional — 1 = Very dissatisfied → 5 = Very satisfied)

1
Very
dissatisfied23
Neutral45
Very
satisfied

Your fencing coach

12345

Your club or program

12345

Local fencing opportunities

12345

Affordability of fencing overall

12345

What are the biggest barriers to fencing participation? (select all that apply)

High cost Distance to nearest club Time commitment Lack of awareness / hard to find Equipment is complicated / expensive to start No school fencing programs nearby Other

Has your family ever reduced fencing participation because of cost? *

Yes No

What would make fencing more accessible? (optional)

✓

Thank you for your response!

Your data helps Fencing Forward understand the real cost of fencing and work toward making the sport more accessible for everyone.

Have another child who fences?

©2024 Fencing Forward.

Fencing Forward is a DBA of Youth Fencing Chicago, Inc.

Youth Fencing Chicago is a registered 501(c)(3) organization | Tax ID: 99-0834900

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