The Sant Jordi Trophy was created in 2012 due to the lack of international competitions for young fencers. The main aim of the competition is to give young people the opportunity to compete within their own age category at an international level. Since its inception it has been part of the U15 circuit of the Real Federación Española de Esgrima (RFEE), which guarantees high participation. As has been said, this tournament has always sought its internationalization, being part of the project of the European Fencing Confederation (EFC) to create a European circuit for these ages, but since the time when the EFC adopted the age U14 in its circuit, it could not continue in this line. Despite not being part of the new M14 European circuit, it has maintained a good international participation because not all countries have adopted the U14 age in their children’s category.
Another characteristic feature of the competition is to have its own image and that this is related to its origin in Catalonia, and to a specific date. Many times the competitions on a circuit lose their identity and become just a way to get points. The Sant Jordi Trophy has always sought to maintain its own personality, in different aspects:
- It is related to the Sant Jordi festivity, deeply rooted in Catalonia. Sant Jordi, armed knight, fits very well in the world of fencing. And the tradition of giving a book and a rose on this day also fits very well with our sport, which maintains sensitivity and culture.
- The date of celebration is always tried to be close to Sant Jordi (April 23), although calendar incompatibilities often force a certain separation of dates, which is minimized as much as possible.
- It has always been sought that the competition formula allow the participants to fight the maximum number of matches, making it compatible as far as possible with the regulations of the RFEE circuit to which it belongs.
- Within the capacity of the organizers and collaborators, it has always been sought to give trophies that identify with the competition, and that the participants receive gifts that also help to keep a good memory.
- Unfortunately, it is not a widespread custom, but in the competition the coaches of the winners are also rewarded because many times their important training role is forgotten.
From the year 2023, the trophy is held in Sant Cugat, where the city club and its City Council have welcomed the project with great enthusiasm and have provided everything necessary for organizational success.
The Sant Cugat Fencing Club together with the Catalan Fencing Federation (FCE) and the Real Federación Española de Esgrima (RFEE) hope that this competition will be very profitable for all participants and give them a great opportunity to gain experience on track and keep a good memory that will make them want to come back the following year.
