NWANA Community Development

NWANA builds a national Nordic Walking community by supporting local clubs, city programs, and volunteer leaders across the United States and North America. The community system is designed to connect health, performance, and social activity through Nordic Walking.

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1. Goals of the NWANA Community Program

The community program focuses on:

• creating sustainable local Nordic Walking clubs and training groups;
• developing City Leaders and club organizers in key regions;
• integrating health-focused and performance-focused pathways;
• connecting community activities with the national sport system;
• using Nordic Walking to support active living at all ages.

2. Local Clubs & Training Groups

NWANA supports the formation of local clubs that:

• offer regular Nordic Walking sessions and technique practice;
• provide structured group walks, workouts, and skill sessions;
• create social, supportive environments for beginners and experienced walkers;
• serve as local hubs for education, workshops, and events.

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3. City Leaders & Regional Hubs

City Leaders are key volunteers or coordinators who:

• organize regular club sessions and introductory clinics in their city;
• coordinate with NWANA on training, education, and events;
• help identify future coaches, judges, and club organizers;
• support visits from NWANA during tours, camps, or workshops.

NWANA plans to develop regional hubs where multiple clubs can coordinate competitions, educational weekends, and community events.

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4. Integration with NWANA Southern Tour

The NWANA Southern Tour (2025–2026) plays a central role in community development:

• each tour stop includes clinics, demonstrations, and open sessions;
• local athletes and volunteers can experience structured Nordic Walking training;
• potential City Leaders and club founders are identified and mentored;
• cities on the tour become priority locations for new NWANA clubs.

Southern Tour Details

5. Community Pathway into the Sport System

The community structure is directly linked to the broader sport pathway:

• beginners start in community walks and basic technique sessions;
• motivated participants move into structured training groups;
• athletes can progress into competitive events and national programs;
• volunteers may develop into certified instructors, coaches, or judges.

6. Education & Resources for Clubs

NWANA will provide community-focused resources, including:

• basic technique handouts and session plans for club leaders;
• templates for weekly training structures;
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• guidance on safe group management and risk reduction;
• recommendations for equipment, poles, and footwear;
• introductory material on rules and fair play.

As the education platform grows, selected community resources will be integrated into NWANA online courses and webinars.

7. Community Events & Initiatives

NWANA encourages clubs and leaders to organize:

• open community walks and “try Nordic Walking” days;
• themed events (health-focused, family days, workplace groups);
• charity or awareness walks in partnership with local organizations;
• introductory technique workshops in parks, campuses, and neighborhoods.

8. Volunteers & Support Roles

Community growth depends on volunteers. Typical roles include:

• group leaders for different paces or distance groups;
• event-day helpers for check-in, refreshments, and course support;
• media and photo volunteers capturing club activities;
• local coordinators for tour visits and special programs.

9. Inclusion & Accessibility

NWANA community activities aim to be inclusive and accessible:

• welcoming all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels;
• adapting pace and distance to participant needs;
• providing clear information on terrain and difficulty;
• encouraging supportive, non-intimidating environments.

10. How to Get Involved

You can engage with the NWANA community in several ways:

• join an existing NWANA club or training group;
• apply to start a new club in your city;
• volunteer as a group leader or local organizer;
• support NWANA events when the tour reaches your region.

Find / Start a Club Contact NWANA Community

When you contact NWANA, please include your city, state, and a short description of how you would like to participate (club member, leader, volunteer, or organizer).