NWANA Policies

NWANA maintains a set of governance, safety, data, and conduct policies that define expectations for athletes, clubs, volunteers, judges, and event organizers. These policies ensure consistency, safety, fairness, and responsible management across all activities under the federation.

1. Code of Conduct

The NWANA Code of Conduct applies to all athletes, leaders, volunteers, officials, and clubs. It establishes standards of behavior to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure safe participation.

• respectful and sportsmanlike behavior at all times;
• no harassment, discrimination, or abusive conduct;
• compliance with NWANA rules and event instructions;
• responsible use of equipment, poles, and training facilities;
• honest representation of abilities and performance.

2. Conflict of Interest Policy

Individuals acting as coaches, judges, event directors, or NWANA representatives must avoid situations where their impartiality could reasonably be questioned.

• no judging of immediate family members or direct trainees;
• no financial interest in outcomes of sanctioned events;
• required disclosure of potential conflicts;
• NWANA may reassign roles if conflicts arise.

3. Athlete Protection & SafeSport Principles

While NWANA is not presently a U.S. Olympic NGB, the federation follows key SafeSport-aligned principles for athlete protection:

• zero tolerance for abuse, bullying, harassment, or grooming behavior;
• clear reporting pathways for misconduct concerns;
• protected spaces for minors in training and competition;
• screening and expectations for coaches and leaders;
• environmental and physical safety standards.

NWANA will publish a complete Athlete Protection Policy as the education and certification framework expands.

4. Privacy & Data Protection Policy

NWANA collects only the data necessary for membership, training, competition, and communication. The federation commits to:

• never selling or transferring personal data to third parties;
• limiting internal access to essential operations only;
• allowing athletes to request removal or correction of data;
• using secure systems for payment, membership, and certification;
• respecting athlete media consent preferences.

5. Media Consent & Image Use

Athletes and participants may appear in photos or videos captured during NWANA events. Media use follows these principles:

• media may be used for educational, promotional, or sport-development purposes;
• athletes may request removal of identifiable images where feasible;
• minors require parent/guardian consent for publication;
• external partners may not use NWANA images without permission.

6. Environmental & Weather Policies

These match the NWANA Safety Standards and govern:

• heat index and cold weather thresholds;
• air quality and pollution guidelines;
• lightning protocols and severe weather evacuation;
• requirements for course surfaces and environmental risk.

7. Anti-Doping Expectations

NWANA promotes clean sport. While formal WADA testing is outside the federation’s current scope, NWANA supports:

• athlete education through the WADA online course (“ADEL”);
• a culture of fairness and integrity in performance;
• avoidance of prohibited substances, supplements, and stimulants;
• compliance with anti-doping rules where applicable at international events.

WADA Online Course (ADEL)

8. Club Responsibilities

All NWANA-recognized clubs must:

• maintain safe training environments;
• follow NWANA technique and safety guidelines;
• report incidents or safety concerns to NWANA;
• apply fair and non-discriminatory policies for membership;
• ensure that leaders model safe and ethical behavior.

9. Event Organizer Responsibilities

For sanctioned or recognized events, organizers must:

• comply with NWANA Safety Standards;
• fulfill insurance, permit, and emergency planning requirements;
• use NWANA rules and judging protocols;
• submit injury/incident reports when required;
• use NWANA branding only with permission.

10. Policy Enforcement

NWANA may take corrective action when policies are violated, including:

• warnings or required training;
• suspension from events or programs;
• removal from leadership or judging roles;
• revocation of club recognition;
• denial of sanctioning for events.

11. Reporting Concerns

Athletes, parents, volunteers, or organizers may report:

• misconduct or abuse concerns;
• safety hazards or injuries;
• violations of NWANA rules or policies;
• concerns about leaders, coaches, or officials.

Report a Policy Issue

Reports are confidential. NWANA reviews each case individually and may request additional information.

12. Future Policies

As NWANA grows, additional policies will be published, including:

• full Athlete Protection Policy;
• Judge & Coach Ethics Policy;
• Club Recognition Standards;
• Event Licensing Policy;
• Data Security Protocols;
• National Team Selection Policies.

Updated policies will be announced through the NWANA website and athlete dashboard.