Terms & Conditions

Marx Fencing Academy is most successful when it’s a partnership between parents, students, and us. Communication and full disclosure are important to us. We want you to understand our policies and where we’re coming from, so we can build the best possible relationship. The information contained herein will help you be more informed and understand our high standards and expectations for both students and families.

Program Policies

ENROLLMENT PAPERWORK AND WAIVERS

Parents and/or students will be required to complete additional enrollment paperwork prior to the start of an Marx Fencing Academy program, including (but not limited to) an acknowledgment of risks, liability waiver, and code of conduct agreements. Your student’s final acceptance, enrollment, and participation in the program is contingent on full payment and on our timely receipt and review of all completed and signed forms. Parents and students agree to return the required forms in a timely manner, and Marx Fencing Academy reserves the right to deny your student’s participation in their program until the forms are completed.

Payment and Program Fees

Payments are expected upon scheduling MFA services, guest fees, membership dues, tournament fees, travel costs, equipment costs and any other amounts owed to MFA. We accept all major credit cards, checks, and cash.

Accounts

  • All participants will need to create an account with MFA’s scheduling software in order to enroll and purchase services.

  • All accounts will be handled touch-free, which means a credit card will need to be on file for each account.

  • All communication about accounts and services will be electronic, through email.

Tuition Information

  • Tuition is a flat monthly rate and will not change based on number of weeks per month.

  • Tuition must be paid each month to guarantee enrollment, regardless of absence.

  • Any unpaid tuition will result in class participation ineligibility.

Auto Renewal

  • Monthly services will auto renew 1 month after the first visit.

  • Sessions passes will auto renew after all sessions are used or after the expiration date, whichever occurs first.

  • Annual Memberships auto renew annually from date of sale.

  • To cancel auto renewal, please email MFA or visit the front desk.

Late Payment

Participants with negative balances may be unable to book any MFA services until the balance is resolved.

  • If you do not have a credit card on your account and/or if it is declined, your account will be charged and show a negative balance. The member will be required to balance the account upon the next visit.

  • If the negative balance is not resolved within 1 month from notification, the member’s account will be frozen and the member will be ineligible for all services. A late fee of $50 will be assessed to reactivate the account.

  • There will be no waived late or cancellation fees. Due to limited class sizes, we ask that all members book classes accordingly and cancel prior to the late-cancellation window.

Membership Holds

MFA does not issue holds on Annual Memberships or Class monthly subscriptions.

Rules and Code of Conduct

The Marx Fencing Academy (MFA) is open to anyone with an interest in promoting or engaging in the Olympic sport of fencing. Membership and participation at MFA is a privilege with obligations, not a right. MFA expects all members, non-member participants, guests, coaches, and staff to follow these Rules and Code of Conduct. MFA reserves the right to update the Rules and Code of Conduct and inform athletes/parents accordingly.

No Discrimination: All MFA participants and guests are to treat, at all times and in all respects, all other members,  participants, guests, staff and instructors in a manner free of discrimination or harassment including on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Attendance and Push Up Policy: All athletes and/or guests are required to check in at the front desk upon arrival. Failure to do so may require a vast amount of push ups. If arriving by the side door in order to avoid checking in, 2x the amount of pushups will be incurred and added to your account. Please arrive promptly for all classes and be warmed up prior to scheduled lessons. Failure to arrive on time and warmed up for lessons will not increase your lesson time.

Physical Safety: Physical safety is the highest priority at the MFA. All participants are expected to exercise control of their actions and demeanor while fencing or otherwise participating at MFA. All participants are expected to exercise good judgment as to the degree of force when fencing, acknowledging what is reasonable and appropriate to the age, size and experience level of their opponents.

Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship, like physical safety, is another priority of MFA. All fencing encounters are to be conducted in a respectful and courteous manner regardless of whether the encounter takes place during open bouting, at a tournament, or during class. All participants are expected to salute their opponent and the referee, if any, before and after each encounter, and to shake hands with their opponent after each bout in a sportsmanlike manner.

Scoring/Referees: In non-refereed bouts, discussions of priority and valid touches are to be resolved quickly and amicably between the participants, or thrown out. In non-electric bouting, fencers are expected to acknowledge touches against them. In refereed bouts, the decision belongs solely to the referee and that decision is final unless, at a tournament, it is a question appropriate for the bout committee. Fencers and guests are expected to treat all referees with respect, regardless of the outcome of any particular call or encounter.

Equipment: All participants are expected to keep any equipment owned by them in a safe condition, and are responsible for the suitability and condition of that equipment. All participants using MFA equipment are not to use any equipment that appears damaged or unsafe, and to give such equipment to an instructor. If, when using MFA equipment, a weapon is broken, please give it directly to a coach or bring it to the front desk. Beyond the beginning level all fencers are required to purchase their own equipment and fence in proper fencing attire at all times.

Proper Fencing Attire: Proper fencing attire is required in all classes and private lessons.

  • Students in beginning/intermediate level fencing classes should wear comfortable athletic clothing. A short-sleeved T-shirt will help you keep cool in the fencing jacket. Long pants such as sweat pants or athletic warmups are required for safety reasons. Jeans and street pants are more difficult to move in. Clean athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required. Shoes should lace or fasten securely. Sandals and winter boots are not allowed on the gym floor. 

  • All levels of competitive fencers are required to wear full fencing attire - jacket, mask, chest protector, plasteron, knickers and LONG SOCKS. 

  • For Private lessons you must wear a minimum of mask, jacket, chest protector, glove, and long pants. Legs must be completely covered.

Equipment Ownership Expectations: Beginner students may rent club equipment for classes and lessons. When moving from Youth Intermediate to Competitive Beginner, students will be required to have their own personal set of fencing equipment. MFA is available to make recommendations and place orders. Intermediate and Advanced students must have their own equipment when registering for classes.

MFA Activities: Non-involved participants or guests must treat all classes and programs at the MFA with respect. Participants and guests must not interrupt instructors or an ongoing activity except in an emergency.

Study Hall. The study hall is a space provided for athletes to do homework and quiet activities.  The study hall is a non-supervised area and MFA takes no responsibility for accidents, injuries, etc., that may occur. Parents of children using the study hall are expected to exercise supervisory control over their children’s behavior. Athletes are expected to clean up and leave the room tidy. This room is provided as a courtesy; please treat MFA spaces with respect and care.

Visitors Guidelines: Due to limited space and COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are not permitted to stay in the facility during classes. Visitors may check-in their family members and discuss pertinent items with the front desk staff, but must leave the facility when finished.  

Tournament Conduct: Members attending tournaments represent MFA to the wider fencing community. Members are bound by these MFA rules and by the USFA and USOC codes of conduct regardless of whether the tournament is a local, regional, national or international competition. Any fencer representing the MFA who breaches any of these rules or the USFA or USOC codes of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action by Marx Fencing Academy.

Ejection: If at any time a participant or guest threatens the safety of another participant, guest, staff or instructor, the owners or coaching staff may immediately remove the threatening participant or guest from MFA premises. The owners will promptly determine the duration that such removal will remain in effect and any other penalties.

Revocation of Privileges: MFA may revoke the membership and/or use privileges of any person whether member, non-member, guest, visitor, or participant whom we determine has violated any of these Rules

Cancellation and Refund Policy

We will no longer be accepting messages via Social Media, emails, phone/text regarding cancelling FOR ANY CLASS OR PRIVATE LESSON - THAT INCLUDES THE COMPETITIVE ADVANCED ATHLETES.

Cancellation Window

A class that is canceled less than 3-hours prior and a private lesson that is canceled less than 24-hours prior to start time is considered a "Late Cancel" and will be forfeited. 

A class or lesson that is booked but not attended is considered a "No Show" and will be forfeited. If the lack of notification prevents another student from the waiting-list from participating in the class or lesson, the offender will be assessed a $30 no-show fee.

Refunds: 

  • All memberships and services are non-refundable.

  • Requests for serious injuries can be submitted via our “Reimbursement Request for Serious Injury” form.

Equipment Rental

If renting equipment, a form for your signature will be sent prior to receiving of your rental equipment.

Acceptance of the rental equipment and its use during the rental period indicates that the goods were received in good condition. If there are any issues with the gear provided, please contact Marx Fencing Academy within a week of receipt. In the event that any of the rented equipment is lost, stolen, damaged beyond repair, or not returned for any reason, the renter will be liable for full replacement costs. Any damages outside of normal wear and tear will also be assessed. Marx Fencing Academy has full discretion regarding assessed damages and the renter is liable for repair costs. Refer to Rental Terms & Conditions for full details.

Waiver of Liability 

Assumption of Risk. Fencer, and parent/guardian if Fencer is a minor, should understand that (1) sport involves risks such as injury, fatigue, and equipment failure, (2) fencing involves strenuous movements and aggressive, physical contact, and (3) MFA does not provide medical insurance for fencing injuries. In fencing, minor injuries are common; significant injuries, possible; life-threatening injury, very rare. Fencer chooses to fence at MFA and, for that opportunity, shall know his/her physical condition, fence safely, be responsible for his/her physical safety, and follow MFA Rules and Code of Conduct. Fencer and Parent/Guardian while Fencer is under 18, assumes the risks of any injury, medical condition, or property loss that he/she incurs as a result of fencing or related activities at MFA.

Permissions for Minor. If Fencer is younger than 18, Parent/Guardian gives permission (1) for Fencer to participate in events at MFA and (2) if Fencer needs medical treatment and Parent/Guardian cannot be promptly contacted, for MFA staff or qualified medical practitioners to render first aid or emergency treatment.

Liability Release. I agree to forever hold harmless and indemnify the Marx Fencing Incorporate, DBA Marx Fencing Academy, its directors, officers, staff, coaches, instructors, members, guests, volunteers, successors, and assignees from all claims, liability, and demands or actions for personal injury, property damage, expenses, legal cost, or other losses related to my (or, if Parent/Guardian, my child’s) fencing activity at MFA. This Release shall be binding on my personal representatives, heirs, and assigns.

Image Use Policy. MFA may receive and use for editorial purposes (i.e., non-commercial) images of its members wherever they are participating and of other persons, whether identifiable or not, at MFA facilities. Subjects may request MFA discontinue such use of their image. Editorial use includes images on MFA website and social media.

MFA may use an identifiable image of a person for commercial purposes, ONLY with explicit, advance permission of the subject. Commercial use includes identifiable images in advertisement and on saleable items.

Photos provided to MFA carry an implicit permission by the photographer to use them for editorial purposes. Other rights to such images are vested in the photographer and subject(s) according to applicable law.

Non-Staff Member Image Use Policy. Videotaping or taking photos of the private lessons, classes, students, coaches, without permission from management is prohibited and is subject to exclusion.

COVID-19

Marx Fencing Academy will make every effort to follow and implement policies and protocols established by national, regional, state, and local government, along with the CDC. We will also use our own judgment when in the best interest of the MFA community.