Elite USA Fencing Referee Clinic
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Registration closes August 21, 2026 — in about 4 days
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This clinic is designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of officiating Épée Fencing, the rules and regulations of USA Fencing.
USA Fencing Referee Clinic
Hosted by Elite Fencing Academy
Gain insight into the dynamics of Fencing bouts from a referee's perspective. This clinic is designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of officiating Épée Fencing, the rules and regulations of USA Fencing (USFA), and the pathway to becoming a certified Fencing referee. All members of the Fencing community — including fencers, parents, and spectators — are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Advance your knowledge of Épée Fencing. Develop your officiating skills. Qualify toward the USA Fencing Referee licensing requirement.
Meet our Instructor:
Sean Shumate | Paralympic Athlete & International Fencing Official, Member of the U.S. Parafencing Team | 1996–2006
Served as a member of the United States Parafencing Team from 1996 through 2006, representing the United States at the highest levels of international wheelchair fencing competition.
- Selected to represent the United States as an athlete at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
- Selected to represent the United States on the U.S. World Championship Team in Euskirchen, Germany.
- Selected as a member of the U.S. World Championship Team in Turin, Italy.
- Represented the United States at multiple World Cup and Grand Prix events throughout Europe and North America, including competitions in Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Canada.
- Member of the first U.S. parafencing team to win a medal at a World Cup event.
- Achieved a career-high world ranking of 12th.
USA National & International Referee Cadre | 2006–Present
Transitioned from international parafencing athlete to elite-level referee, becoming a pioneering figure in wheelchair fencing officiating in the United States and internationally.
- Selected to serve as a referee at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England.
- Selected to serve as a referee at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Selected to serve as a referee at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
- Selected to referee the Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
- Refereed World Championships in Budapest, Hungary; Chungju, South Korea; Rome, Italy; and Pisa, Italy.
- Refereed Gold Medal bouts at each of the above international championship events.
- Refereed Miultiple NCAA Fencing Championships in able-bodied fencing.
- Officiated numerous World Cup events in Canada, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Japan.
- Became the first U.S. parafencing athlete to transition to international refereeing.
- Became the first wheelchair-using referee in the United States to receive international ratings in both able-bodied and wheelchair fencing.
- Achieved the highest available international ratings in parafencing refereeing.
- Serves as a Certified Referee Instructor for USA Fencing, conducting referee education seminars throughout the United States.
- Contributes to national referee and parafencing resource development.
- Serves as am member of World Para Fencing Rules Committee.
- Serves as Vice Chair of Domestic Assignments for USA Fencing.
- 2027 US Fencing Hall OF Fame Inductee
Legacy & Leadership
A career spanning more than three decades has included success as an elite parafencing athlete, Paralympic competitor, international referee, educator, and rules leader. This progression from competing internationally for the United States to officiating at the world's highest levels represents a unique and significant contribution to the growth and development of both wheelchair and able-bodied fencing.
Clinic Schedule:
The two-day clinic will be held on:
Saturday, August 22nd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM - General and weapon specific referee course instruction
A lunch break between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. Meals will not be provided.
Sunday, August 23rd from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Referee observation and evaluation
A lunch break between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Meals will not be provided.
Clinic Location:
Elite Fencing Academy
11300 Lakefield Dr, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Clinic Fees:
Clinic fee: $135.00
Deadline: Saturday, August 21st
Send your payment to secure your spot via Venmo @EliteFencingAcademy
Walk-in fee: $200.00, Walk-in registration is available based on clinic capacity.
Refund requests are handled at the discretion of the tournament organizer. Contact the organizer directly for refund inquiries.