Statement of Inclusion
NorthPort Historical Fencing Academy is committed to being a welcoming space for anyone who wants to train. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or background. The art belongs to everyone willing to work at it.
We expect every member to uphold this standard — not just to tolerate it, but to actively support it. A training environment where people feel unwelcome is a bad training environment, full stop.
On the Training Floor
Safety First
We train with steel and wooden weapons. Serious injury is possible if safety rules are ignored. Every member is responsible for training safely and for looking out for their training partners.
- Wear required protective gear at all times during sparring and drilling
- Control your intensity — match the energy level set by the instructor for the drill
- If you or your partner needs to stop, stop immediately, no questions asked
- Never spar beyond your gear rating — if you don't have the gear, don't do the drill
- Tap out or call "halt" if something feels wrong
Respect Your Training Partners
Your training partners are not your opponents — they are the people making you better. Treat them accordingly.
- Control your ego at the door. Beginners make mistakes. So do experienced fencers.
- Give feedback when asked. Don't coach without being asked.
- Calibrate your intensity to your partner's level — dominating a new student teaches neither of you anything
- Aggression belongs in the art, not in interpersonal dynamics
Respect the Space
- Arrive on time, or let the instructor know in advance if you can't
- Help set up and break down equipment when appropriate
- Keep the training area clean and organized
- Do not handle club equipment or loaner gear carelessly
Outside the Training Floor
How you represent yourself as an NHFA member outside of class reflects on the club. We expect the same standards of respect and professionalism to carry over into social media, community events, and interactions with the broader HEMA community.
Harassment of any kind — in person or online — toward NHFA members or members of other clubs will not be tolerated.
Consequences
Violations of this code are addressed seriously and proportionally. Minor issues are handled with a conversation. Serious violations — harassment, deliberate unsafe conduct, repeated disrespect — may result in suspension or removal from the club at the instructor's discretion.
If you witness a violation or have a concern, bring it directly to the instructor. All concerns are taken seriously and handled with discretion.