Referee Clinic with Internationally Rated Referee Derek Cotton

Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a referee clinic with Certified Referee Instructor Derek Cotton. 

Qualified referees are an essential component at any fencing competition, and the SoCal Division is always looking for more. One of the requirements to become an official USA Fencing Referee is to attend a referee clinic taught by a certified instructor. So, if you are interested in contributing to the sport you love while earning money at the same time, or just want a better understanding of the rules of fencing, this is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the very best!

Derek Cotton is the most highly rated fencing referee in Southern California. He has an International Rating of B in all three weapons and has refereed many National Finals. His international experience includes the Pan American Games, the World University Games, the Junior World Championships and the Senior World Championships. In 1996, he was selected for the Paralympic Games in Atlanta. He was the only US referee selected to go to the Olympic Game in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. Derek is a member of the Fencing Officials Commission where he previously served as Chair of the Referee Development Committee and as a member of the FIE Arbitrage Commission.

This clinic is FREE to all members of the Southern California Division who are under 18.

This clinic is FREE to members of the Southern California Division over 18 if they have taken the following steps to becoming a referee (accessible through the USA Fencing member's profile page):

• purchased the +CheckEd membership add-on
• completed the 90-minute, online SafeSport course
• applied for a background check

[please contact treasurer@socaldivision.org when these are updated on your USA Fencing profile]

For everyone else the cost is just $60. Payment accepted via:

• AskFred
• Zelle to treasurer@socaldivision.org (note who payment applies to)
• Credit cards and checks at the door

Pizza lunch will be provided

Attendees will benefit from studying the following material prior to attending the clinic:

• Referees’ Commission National Referee Examination Study Guide
• Rule Book
• Penalty Chart

To earn your referee credentials, you must score at least 90% on the exams, which you can take either before or after the clinic. There is a General Exam and one additional exam for each weapon that you intend to referee.

The final step to become a USA Fencing Referee will be observed at a tournament by an Official Observer. The SoCal Division will be having a tournament for this purpose on October 14 or 15, 2023 (details to be announced). Referees will be paid for participation based on the SoCal Division pay schedule.

More information on becoming a fencing referee 

Contact our Head of Referee Development for information on scholarships.