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.
2025 marked the first participation of Austrian youth athletes in a European Championship organised by the SAFE Federation. At the 4th SAF European Championship in Champeix, France, two young Austrian athletes continued the international success of previous years: one silver and one bronze medal were won in the Girls 12–13 Sabre & Buckler category, with an additional bronze medal in Sword & Shield.
2026 marked another major milestone for Austrian youth development with the 5th SAF European Championship in Vienna. For the first time, the European Championship was hosted in Austria. Austrian youth athletes once again achieved international success: young athletes from Tyrol won one European Championship title and two silver medals at the home European Championship. This continued the positive development of recent years at international level.
Today, several Austrian Medieval Combat clubs offer regular training programmes for children and young people in Soft Armored Fighting. These are complemented by cross-club training opportunities and an increasingly structured national competition system. Since 2024, regional championships have also included youth categories, while the Austrian Youth Championship, held every two years, has become another important pillar of youth development.
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
(Girls, 12 - 13 years)
4th SAF European Championship 2025 (F)
3rd Place
1 vs 1 – Sword & Shield
(Girls, 12 - 13 years)
4th SAF European Championship 2025 (F)
1. Platz
1 vs 1 – Sword & Shield
(Boys, 16 - 17 years)
5th SAF European Championship 2026 (AUT)
2nd Place
1 vs 1 – Sword & Shield
(Boys, 14 – 15 years)
5th SAF European Championship 2026 (AUT)
2nd Place
1 vs 1 – Sword & Shield
(Boys, 8 – 9 years)
5th SAF European Championship 2026 (AUT)
YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Since 2024, the Austrian Youth Championship in Soft-Sword disciplines has been held every two years according to the SAFEF ruleset. From 2027 onwards, the youth categories will be integrated into the Austrian Championship, covering all age groups. Further information about the championship and the latest results can be found under https://armoredcombat.at/en/meisterschaften
Fotos: FFSAF, SAFE Federation, VgVK Wien