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Hey everyone and welcome to another deep dive.

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This time we're really excited to be taking a close look

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at USA Fensings Fencing the Gap initiative.

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It's a really fascinating program

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and they've just launched their third year

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so there's a lot to unpack.

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Exactly.

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For anyone new to Fencing the Gap,

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maybe you could give us a quick rundown

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of what it's all about.

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Absolutely.

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So FTG is all about making fencing accessible

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to everyone no matter their background.

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And they're specifically trying to increase participation

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from a few key groups, right?

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That's right.

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We're talking about BIPOC individuals, women and girls,

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and people with disabilities.

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Now, what's always impressed me about Fencing the Gap

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is that they're not just talking the talk.

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They're really putting their money where their mouth is,

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wouldn't you say?

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100%.

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This year they've partnered with All Kids Play

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and have secured a whopping $47,000

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to support their initiatives for the 2024-25 year.

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$47,000, that's incredible.

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Just to give our listeners an idea of the kind of impact

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that can have, how many people did FTG reach last year?

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Last year they worked with over 650 individuals.

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Wow.

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So this year is on track to be even bigger.

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It seems like it.

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And it's very much needed.

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For a long time, fencing has been seen

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as this exclusive, expensive sport.

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Which is such a shame because it really

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shouldn't be that way.

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I agree.

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And initiatives like FTG are so important

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for breaking down those barriers

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and creating a more level playing field.

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It's about showing people that fencing can be for everyone.

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That's exactly it.

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And it's not just about getting people in the door, right?

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They have this whole multi-pronged approach

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with different programs.

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It's fascinating.

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Exactly.

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And that's what makes it so effective.

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They're not just focused on the athletes themselves,

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but also on building a supportive environment

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from top to bottom.

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I'm really curious to hear more about that.

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What are some of the systemic issues

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that FTG is working so hard to address?

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Well, we're talking about financial assistance,

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a lack of opportunities in underserved areas,

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and even the need for greater diversity

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among coaching staff.

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All incredibly important factors.

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So where does FTG focus its efforts within those areas?

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So one of the big things FTG focuses on

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is making sure that financial hardship doesn't

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prevent a talented athlete from pursuing fencing.

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Yeah, that makes sense.

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And that's where their grace program comes in, right?

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Exactly.

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I'm looking at some notes about it here.

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But maybe you could give our listeners

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a little more insight into what the program actually does.

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Sure.

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So life throws curveballs sometimes.

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People lose jobs.

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Maybe there's a family emergency or unexpected medical bills

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suddenly.

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Fencing fees can feel like an impossible expense.

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Absolutely.

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It's easy to forget that real life doesn't stop just

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because you're passionate about a sport.

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Right.

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And that's where the grace program steps in,

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to help fencers and their families navigate

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those unexpected financial burdens

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and make sure those talented athletes can stay on track.

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So it's a safety net that ensures

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these athletes aren't sidelined due to circumstances

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beyond their control.

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I love that.

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But how do we even get kids involved in the first place,

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especially in communities where fencing might not

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be easily accessible?

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You're right to bring that up because access is key.

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And FTG recognizes that creating opportunities

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in underserved communities is crucial.

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That's where their community impact fund comes into play.

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OK, I'm intrigued.

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Tell me more.

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We're talking $2,000 grants to help

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launch new fencing programs or support coaches

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from diverse backgrounds all within these communities that

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really need it.

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That's incredible.

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That kind of funding right there at the grassroots level

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can make a world of difference.

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Just imagine the impact a young person

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discovers fencing through one of these programs

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and ends up competing on a national level.

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It's really about breaking down those geographic barriers,

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isn't it?

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It really is.

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And it's not just about making the sport accessible,

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but also making sure that it's welcoming and representative

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at every level.

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And that's so important, especially for young athletes.

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Representation matters.

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And FTG actually addresses that with their diverse coaches

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grant, right?

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You got it.

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I always love hearing about this one.

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This grant is all about bringing in fresh perspectives,

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new voices into the world of fencing coaching.

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I see.

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So it's about fostering a new generation of coaches

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who better reflect the diversity we want to see in the sport.

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Exactly.

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The aim is to create the cycle of mentorship and support,

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opening doors for individuals who might not have even

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considered coaching as a possibility before.

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And I think it's fantastic how this program empowers existing

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fencing clubs to be part of the solution.

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They can actually apply for funding

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to host these community clinics, which is amazing,

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for introducing fencing to a wider audience.

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Then they can use those funds to train coaches

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from underrepresented backgrounds, talk about a win-win.

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But even with all these programs,

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cost can still be a huge barrier.

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You're absolutely right.

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And that's precisely where FTG's support fund

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scholarships come into play.

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This program specifically supports

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BIPOC individuals who want to pursue their fencing dreams,

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whether they're just starting out or aiming for the Olympics.

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It's amazing.

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But can you tell me more about who this is actually designed for?

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Well, that's the beauty of this program.

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It's not limited to just the athletes.

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Parents, coaches, really anyone who plays a vital role

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in an athlete's development can apply.

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It recognizes that support systems are essential,

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and it aims to empower everyone involved.

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I mean, it's really remarkable how much thought and care

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have gone into creating these programs.

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They've really covered all the bases.

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Wouldn't you agree?

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It's amazing, isn't it?

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They really have thought of everything.

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But I'm curious, how do all these programs actually

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work together?

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I mean, it seems like it could be easy

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to get lost with so many individual initiatives,

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you know?

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Well, that's where FTG's approach really shines.

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These programs aren't isolated.

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They're all interconnected.

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They've created this really amazing ecosystem of support.

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OK, now you've got me really interested.

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So paint me a picture.

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How does it work?

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Give me an example.

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OK, so imagine a young fencer.

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They're from an under-resourced community, right?

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I'm with you.

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Now, the Community Impact Fund, that

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could help set up a fencing program right there

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in their neighborhood, maybe even at their school.

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Wow, right from the get-go.

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That's incredible.

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Right.

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And then on top of that, the Diverse Coaches grant,

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well, that could make sure that this program is led by someone

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who really understands their background, you know?

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Someone who can be a mentor on and off the piste.

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It's like you're breaking down barriers one by one

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and creating this clear path for them.

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Exactly.

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And let's say down the line, there's a financial hardship.

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Which, let's face it, happens all too often.

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Exactly.

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Well, that's where the Grace program or a Support Fund

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scholarship could come in to help them stay on track,

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to make sure their talent and dedication aren't held back

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by things outside their control.

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It's that wraparound support that can be life-changing.

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It's not just about opening the door.

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It's about giving them what they need to really

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succeed in the long run.

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It becomes about way more than just fencing at that point.

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What did you say?

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Absolutely.

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We're talking about building confidence, developing leadership

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skills, breaking down stereotypes.

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These are things that go way beyond the fencing piece.

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It's about learning to overcome obstacles,

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to persevere, to become leaders.

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You know, what's so powerful about this whole thing

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is it gets you thinking, this model,

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it could be applied to so many things.

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I mean, other sports, different industries even.

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Imagine the impact we could have if we approached everything

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with this level of intention, this kind of strategic thinking.

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It's inspiring, right?

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And it all comes back to this idea

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that inclusivity isn't the finish line, it's the journey.

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And it takes effort.

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It means constantly questioning, challenging the way things

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are, and actively creating spaces where everyone feels seen,

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heard, and empowered.

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Initiatives like fencing the gap, they're not just

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changing a sport, they're offering a way forward

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for a better future, don't you think?

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Absolutely.

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It's a blueprint for positive change.

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And that's something we're thinking about.

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Thanks so much for joining us on this deep dive, everyone.