Athlete Safety & SafeSport at NCF Boulder

Northern Colorado Fencers (NCF Boulder) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional training environment for all athletes, families, staff, and visitors. Athlete safety-physical, emotional, and psychological-is a foundational condition of participation at NCF.

Our approach to safety is deliberate, structured, and aligned with Colorado law and national athlete-protection standards.

Coach-Led, Supervised Environment

NCF operates as a coach-led training environment.

  • All fencing instruction is delivered by NCF coaches or approved staff

  • Training occurs in structured group settings

  • Coaches are responsible for supervision, safety enforcement, and conduct management

  • Unsupervised activity, informal instruction, or sideline coaching is not permitted

Clear authority and supervision are essential to maintaining a safe and consistent training space.

SafeSport, Athlete Protection & Mandatory Reporting

NCF follows athlete-protection standards and SafeSport-related requirements applicable to youth sport organizations.

  • All NCF coaches and staff are background checked as required by governing bodies

  • All coaches and staff are trained in athlete safety expectations

  • NCF coaches and staff working with youth athletes are mandatory reporters under applicable Colorado law

Beginning July 1, 2025, Colorado law requires youth sports coaches and covered staff to complete annual mandatory reporter training and to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately to appropriate authorities.

Mandatory reporting means that staff are legally and ethically required to report suspected child abuse, sexual abuse, or behavior that may place a minor athlete at risk. This obligation applies regardless of personal judgment, intent, or relationship to the individuals involved.

Certain concerns may require reporting to external authorities or governing bodies, including law enforcement, child protective services, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, in addition to internal review.

Governing Body Membership & Oversight

Northern Colorado Fencers is a member club of the United States Fencing Association (USA Fencing) and participates within the Colorado Division of USA Fencing.

USA Fencing is the National Governing Body for the sport of fencing in the United States and is a member of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), the international governing body for fencing.

All individuals who fence at NCF-regardless of age, experience level, or program-are required to maintain an active USA Fencing membership at the level appropriate to their participation. This requirement supports athlete safety oversight, insurance coverage, and compliance with governing-body athlete-protection standards.

Adult participants, coaches, and individuals in covered roles must also complete any USA Fencing–required background screening and SafeSport training applicable to their role.

As a member club, NCF operates within the rules, safety standards, and athlete-protection requirements established by these governing organizations.

Professional Boundaries & Conduct Standards

All participants-athletes, parents, coaches, staff, volunteers, and guests-are expected to maintain professional and respectful boundaries at all times.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Appropriate language and behavior

  • Respect for physical, emotional, and personal boundaries

  • Clear separation of coaching, parenting, and peer roles

  • Adherence to all safety and conduct expectations

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, grooming behavior, retaliation, or inappropriate conduct of any kind is not tolerated.

Violations may result in warnings, restrictions, suspension, or termination of participation, depending on severity and governing-body requirements.

Communication Safeguards

To protect athletes and staff:

  • Coaches do not engage in private one-to-one digital communication with minor athletes

  • Communication with minors includes a parent or guardian or occurs through official club channels

  • In-person interactions occur in open, observable environments

These safeguards are non-negotiable and apply across training, competitions, events, and travel.

Facility Safety & Emergency Preparedness

NCF maintains basic emergency preparedness measures within the training facility.

  • A first aid kit is located near the main entrance

  • Fire extinguishers are located near the main entrance and in the armoury

  • The facility has two exit doors, both clearly marked with signage

  • The facility also includes a rolling pull-up loading dock door that opens; this door is elevated approximately three feet off the ground

  • The facility is NOT handicapped acessable.

Athletes, parents, staff, and visitors are expected to follow posted signage and staff instructions in the event of an emergency.

Training, Events, and Travel

When participating in competitions, clinics, camps, or travel connected to NCF:

  • NCF safety and conduct standards remain in effect

  • Coaches direct fencing instruction and athlete oversight when present

  • Parents and guardians retain responsibility for supervision outside active fencing unless otherwise specified

Competitions and travel are treated as extensions of the training environment, not exceptions to safety or conduct expectations.

Reporting Concerns

Athlete safety concerns should always be taken seriously.

If you observe or experience behavior that feels unsafe, inappropriate, or concerning:

  • Immediate safety concerns should be treated as emergencies

  • Non-urgent concerns should be communicated promptly and in writing so they can be reviewed responsibly

Reports should be directed to NCF leadership or designated safety contacts, who will determine appropriate next steps in accordance with Colorado law and governing-body requirements.

NCF documents safety concerns and responses in accordance with legal and governing-body requirements.

Retaliation for raising safety concerns is not permitted.

Shared Responsibility

Athlete safety is a shared responsibility.

  • Coaches enforce structure, supervision, and boundaries

  • Athletes are expected to follow safety instructions and behave respectfully

  • Parents and guardians support safety by reinforcing boundaries, observing appropriately, and communicating concerns responsibly

Participation at NCF requires acceptance of these shared expectations.