04/24/2026
Planning for next season
Hi Thunder Fencing Families,
As we start looking ahead to the next season, I want to take a moment to talk about something that can make a huge difference in your fencer’s growth and long-term success: intentional competition planning.
Whether your athlete is already competing regularly or just starting to think about stepping onto the strip for the first time, this is the perfect time to begin mapping out what their season could look like.
Why this matters
Fencing isn’t just about what happens in class—it’s about building a complete student-athlete portfolio.
Every tournament experience adds to that:
- Confidence under pressure
- Tactical decision-making
- Real bout experience against new opponents
- Results that track progress over time
For those with long-term goals (high school teams, college recruiting, national events), this portfolio becomes incredibly important.
For newer fencers, it’s simply the best way to discover how much they enjoy competing and how far they want to take the sport.
What we need from you
We’re starting to plan our upcoming season schedule, and your input helps us create the best experience possible for everyone.
Please take a moment to think about:
- Out-of-state tournaments:
How many would your fencer realistically like to attend this season?
(Example: 0, 1–2, 3–5, etc.)
- In-club tournaments:
How often would they like to compete here at Thunder?
(Weekly, twice a month, once a month, occasionally, etc.)
There’s no “right” answer here—this is about aligning the season with your goals, your schedule, and your level of interest.
If you're unsure…
That’s completely okay. Many families are still figuring this out.
If your fencer is:
- Curious about competing
- Looking to improve faster
- Or just wants to try something new
Then this is a great season to test the waters. We can help guide you toward the right level of competition and make sure the experience is positive and productive.
Our goal
Our goal is to meet each athlete where they are and help them grow—whether that means:
- Trying their very first tournament
- Building consistency locally
- Or preparing for higher-level regional and national events
Every path is valid. What matters is having a plan.
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Please reply to this email with your thoughts, or let me know if you’d like help putting together a competition plan for your fencer.
Looking forward to an exciting season ahead.
— Coach Dave
Thunder Fencing
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