What is the KBFS?
The Koninklijke Belgische Federatie der Schermkringen vzw, in French the Fédération Royale Belge des Cercles d’Escrime asbl, is the national fencing federation of Belgium, and its site appears under the name Fencing Belgium.[3] Its history page uses the abbreviation KBFS.[4] The site states, in Dutch and French, that it carries information on the federation’s international representation, together with its national activities.[3] The FIE lists it as “Fédération Royale Belge des Cercles d’Escrime”.[1]
What does the KBFS govern or do?
The federation represents Belgian fencing internationally and sets national competition rules, published as the “Handboek sportieve seizoen 2026-2027” and, in French, the “Guide de la vie sportive 2026-2027”.[5] It states that “De nationale klassementen zijn beschikbaar via Ophardt”.[5]
Its commissions issue communications in both languages: on 31 July 2026 the CNHN/NTSC published the calendars of selective and non-selective competitions under the Ophardt pre-registration system, and on 19 September 2025 the CNC/NWC published the national regulation for 2025-2026 and moved a leg of the national senior épée circuit.[3] Its site also carries the selection rules for European and World Championships.[3]
When was the KBFS founded and where is it based?
The federation’s history page states that “De Koninklijke Belgische Federatie der Schermkringen (KBFS) werd opgericht op 25 oktober 1896”, at the initiative of two Brussels fencing enthusiasts, Eugène Wetrems and Léon Fadeux.[4] It adds that “De federatie kreeg in 1927 de eretitel ‘koninklijke federatie’ toegekend door koning Albert I.”, and that officials of the federation later played a part in the founding of the FIE.[4]
The federation is based at George Bergmannlaan 111, 1050 Brussel.[3]
How is the KBFS recognised?
International federation. The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime lists the Fédération Royale Belge des Cercles d’Escrime in its directory, at Avenue George Bergmann 111 in Brussels, with Pieter Van Laere as secretary general.[1] The FIE states that it has “156 affiliated Member Federations”, and lists five continental confederations that it recognises.[2]
Continental body. The FIE’s directory places the federation under the European Fencing Confederation, for which it gives 50 members.[1]
What does the KBFS organise?
Belgian championships. The federation’s history page records that “Eugène Wetrems organiseerde vanaf 1898 de eerste Belgische Kampioenschappen”.[4]
National competitions. Its national page lists the “Wedstrijden die meetellen voor de nationale klassementen”, the competitions that count toward the national rankings, with an “Annonce Calendrier national 2026-2027”.[5] Its communications of 2025 and 2026 concern the national senior épée circuit and the calendars of selective and non-selective competitions.[3]
Who are its members?
The history page states that “Bij de oprichting telde de federatie al 25 verenigingen uit Antwerpen, Brussel, Doornik” and other cities.[4] It records that a decree of 1977 required national sports federations to split (“Door het decreet van 1977 werden de nationale sportfederaties verplicht tot splitsing”), after which “De Belgische schermkringen verdeelden zich dan over een Vlaamse Schermbond en een Ligue Francophone”.[4]
The federation’s home page links the Vlaamse Schermbond and the Fédération Francophone des Cercles d’Escrime de Belgique.[3]
References
- FIE — European Fencing Confederation: confederation details and national federations (directory). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- FIE — About the FIE (member federations and continental confederations). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- Fencing Belgium — home page (names, address, member federations, communications). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- Fencing Belgium — History. Accessed 2026-10-17.
- Fencing Belgium — National. Accessed 2026-10-17.