Youth Development
Youth Development
The Soft-Sword training system, featuring padded swords, shields, and protective gear, was originally developed for training children and youth, and later adapted for adults. The system makes it easy to spark enthusiasm for Medieval Combat even among very young participants. Training with the Soft-Sword system is possible from the age of four. International-level tournaments are held for young athletes starting from the age of four.
Active youth development work has been carried out at various locations in Austria since 2014. This commitment is reflected in international successes:
In 2017, the ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA assembled an Austrian junior national team and sent them to the 3rd European MSF Championship – the Youth European Championship – in Minsk, Belarus. Initial successes were achieved there (2nd place MSF Sabre & Buckler – Boys 16-17 years | 3rd place MSF Triathlon – Boys 16-17 years).
In autumn of 2017, the HMB Soft World Championship took place in Prague, Czech Republic, for the first time, in which the Austrian youth national team also participated.
In 2018, the Austrian youth athletes participated again in the 4th European MSF Championship in Minsk, Belarus. Matteo INGEGNERI successfully defended his Vice European Champion title from the previous year (2nd place MSF Sabre & Buckler 16-17 years).
In 2022, SAFE Federation (see link: International Federations) took over the development of Medieval Combat youth work in Europe as well as the organization of the European Championships from the predecessor organization (IFMSF). As the national partner in Austria, the ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA implements the guidelines and requirements of the european federation at the federal level.
In 2025, Austrian athletes participated for the first time in the SAF European Championships in Champeix, France. Two young female athletes were able to build on the successes of the boys from previous years: They successfully won a silver medal and thus the Vice European Championship title, a bronze medal (2nd and 3rd place in Sabre & Buckler - Girls 12-13 years), and another bronze medal (Sword & Shield - Girls 12-13 years).
Currently, several Austrian Medieval Combat clubs offer children's and youth training classes either regularly, as part of events, or on demand. Starting from 2024, regional (state) championships in youth disciplines will also be held in Austria.
2nd Place
1 vs 1 – MSF Sabre & Buckler
(Boys, 16 - 17 years)
3rd European MSF Championship 2017 (BL)
3rd Place
1 vs 1 – MSF Triathlon
(Boys, 16 - 17 years)
3rd European MSF Championship 2017 (BL)
2nd Place
1 vs 1 – MSF Sabre & Buckler
(Boys, 16 - 17 years)
4th European MSF Championship 2018 (BL)
2nd Place
1 vs 1 – Sabre & Buckler
(Girls, 12 - 13 years)
4th SAF European Championship 2025 (F)
3rd Place
1 vs 1 – Sabre & Buckler
(Mädchen 12 – 13 Jahre)
4th SAF European Championship 2025 (F)
3rd Place
1 vs 1 – Sword & Shield
(Girls, 12 - 13 years)
4th SAF European Championship 2025 (F)
YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Starting from 2024 the Austrian Youth Championships in Soft-Sword competitions (SAFEF-ruleset) will be held every second year. https://armoredcombat.at/en/meisterschaften
Fotos: FFSAF, SAFE Federation, VgVK Wien