What Exactly IS a NAC?
The coach has said that your fencer is ready to compete in an upcoming NAC. The coach is pleased, your fencer is excited, and you, the parent, are … confused? Just what is an NAC and what are you supposed to do about it? If this sounds like you, help is on the way.
An NAC is one of a series of tournaments called the North American Circuit that is held at various locations around the country. At these tournaments, fencers can earn points (usually by making the top 32), which places them on rolling points standings that are tabulated by the USFA. Why are point standings important? Earning points can help your fencer be an automatic qualifier to Nationals and, at a higher level, to qualify for national teams. National points can only be earned at NACs.
But what about age eligibility? The USFA determines age categories by birth years, that is, 1991-1994 is Youth 10, 1989-1992 is Youth 12, 1987-1990 is Youth 14, 1985-1988 is Cadet, 1982-1988 is Junior and 1988 or earlier is Division I/II/III. Your fencer may fence in a category if his birthday falls in that age bracket or he is on the national points standing in the next-younger age bracket. In other words, with national points, a fencer can fence “up” one age category. Fencers may never fence “down”.
Aha, you say, what is Division I/II/III? Division III is a tournament in which all fencers much be rated D, E or U. Therefore, Division III is a really big “D & Under” tournament. Division II is a “C & Under” tourna- ment, and Division I is open only to fencers who hold a current A, B or C rating.
So you understand the USFA’s system of points and ratings but you’re not sure if your fencer is ready for the big event. The best advice is, talk to the coach, question other parents who have “been there”, and above all, listen to your fencer. Competing at a NAC can be scary, fun, exhilarating, and rewarding. Make sure that you help your fencer to benefit fully from the experience.