Event Sanctioning

IFPA Event Sanctioning

This is the page of the official committee that maintains and administers the policies of IFPA’s sanctioning program for tournaments and other footbag events.

According to the IFPA by-laws, there are several ways in which IFPA may foster international footbag competition:

  • Sponsorship: For an IFPA sponsored event, IFPA may provide formats and judging systems for competition as well as funds and marketing assistance for proper administration, player’s packages, awards, and promotion of such events in exchange for the tournament director’s agreement to abide by all the guidelines for sponsorship set up by IFPA.
  • Sanctioning: For an IFPA sanctioned event, IFPA may provide formats and judging systems for competition as well as a limited amount of marketing assistance for the proper administration and promotion of such events in exchange for the tournament director’s agreement to abide by all the guidelines for sanctioning set up by IFPA.
  • Accreditation: For an IFPA accredited event, IFPA may provide formats and judging systems for competition in exchange for the tournament director’s agreement to abide by all the guidelines for accreditation set up by IFPA.

Requirements and Guidelines for IFPA Event Sanctioning

The steady growth that the sport of Footbag has enjoyed during its relatively short lifetime can be ultimately credited to the collaborative efforts of many people who are committed to nurturing the game’s progress. Individual players, local clubs, and event organizers all contribute to the shared goal of insuring the continued success and popularity of Footbag. The IFPA, as the international governing body dedicated to advancing the sport worldwide, advocates every aspect and level of Footbag play, whether social or competitive.

The sanctioning program (which denotes authorization, approval, and support) is overseen by the IFPA as one means of unifying the sport and strengthening the footbag events that are conducted around the world. Sanctioning guidelines serve purposes. First they assure participants and organizers that a degree of conformity exists among the many events held. Second, they promote a professional image for the sport, the players, and footbag organizations, an image that, in turn, is a positive factor in cultivating sponsors, encouraging player participation, and attracting media attention. Finally, they assure that each event receiving recognition as being IFPA-sanctioned is conducted in a uniformly professional manner.

IFPA is an amateur sports organization. Therefore, we require that sanctioned events offer players the option to enter as an amateur. Amateurs are allowed to enter Open, but are not eligible for prize money (if offered).

By virtue of competing in any IFPA-sanctioned footbag event, all players are automatically 1-year “Tier 1” members of IFPA. All IFPA members in good standing and will have their results officially recorded and used to determine worldwide player rankings. Event organizers are required to register non-IFPA members and submit to the IFPA on completion of the event.

Applicants for sanctioning must be “Tier 2” members of IFPA to sanction an event.

In light of the above considerations, the following requirements and guidelines for event sanctioning were developed, outlining the rights and responsibilities of Event Organizers and the IFPA. Event Organizers must be IFPA members in good standing to be eligible for event sanctioning.

The Event Organizer Shall:

  • Provide the IFPA with a completed Event Sanctioning application and fee (if applicable) a minimum of 30 days prior to the event. An IFPA “Tier 2” membership fee may be required, if not already a Tier 2 IFPA member.
  • Advertise the event in the event listing on footbag.org and announce the event via email to announce @ footbag.org
  • Collect the required individual player information relating to their IFPA membership. Such information to include; name, address, telephone number, birth date, gender, IFPA membership number, and e-mail address.
  • Provide the IFPA with a full list of ALL event participants within 20 days of the event’s completion. Such list to include; name, address, telephone number, birth date, gender, IFPA membership number, and e-mail address.
  • Maintain score sheets (pools & brackets) of all individual net games and matches, as well as, all freestyle score sheets from each freestyle event. Copies of these are to be submitted within 20 days of the event’s completion.
  • Post results to the results page for the event’s listing on footbag.org.
  • Submit all required player info and score sheets within 20 days of the event’s completion to the following address:
 IFPA Sanctioning
 647 Fallon Ave.
 Santa Clara, CA 95050
 USA
 
 If submitting via email,
 * send player info and scores to sanctioning @ ifpa.footbag.org
  • Abide by IFPA Official Rules of Footbag Sports, unless prior approval is given by IFPA. Significant deviations from the rulebook shall be announced through the Footbag Worldwide Information Service, official IFPA site), and/or event fliers, a minimum of 30 days prior to the event. At least one official rulebook must be physically on site for each discipline offered.
  • Print the IFPA logo on all printed materials (posters, flyers, t-shirts, etc.). Such printed materials are to be done in a professional manner (typeset or typed), and should also include names of event sponsors. Handwritten fliers are unacceptable.
  • Use the standard Liability Waiver for Player Participation on all entry forms (see example below).
  • Abide by all applicable legal provisions regarding permits, insurance, etc., required by the relevant governmental entity in which the event is being held.

IFPA Shall:

  • Offer online registration to allow players to pre-register and pay by credit card. Both organizers and players are able to see a listing of all registered players prior to the event.
  • Provide one copy of the Official Rules of Footbag Sports. Rulebook is to be readily available on site to ensure that all competitors, judges, and referees involved are up-to-date with the current rules. Additional rulebooks for player packs are available at minimal cost.
  • Publicize your event on Footbag Worldwide (footbag.org).
  • Provide an announcement service, via email, to all or part of IFPA’s membership at no cost. Event organizer is responsible for preparing and executing such announcements.
  • Permit the use of the IFPA name, logo, and mention of official IFPA sanctioning in all printed material for the event.
  • Supply a file, containing the IFPA name and logo, for use on flyers, posters, programs, etc. (Such logo is trademark protected and must be used responsibly)
  • Provide IFPA banners for use at the event, upon request and availability.
  • Permit event results to be published on Footbag Worldwide. (footbag.org)
  • Provide tax-deductible receipts to sponsors for donations to IFPA via sponsorship of event. (contact IFPA Treasurer for more details)
  • Provide official seeding information on IFPA members who have competed in IFPA sanctioned events. (contact IFPA Statistian for more details)
  • Provide up-to-date IFPA membership status to determine if competitors are required to register for IFPA to compete. (contact IFPA Membership Director for more details)
  • Supply official IFPA players’ manuals at no charge, upon request and availability.
  • Supply IFPA tournament organizing and setup guidelines/tools, upon request and availability.
  • Assist with sponsorship possibilities, when possible.
  • Provide special discounts on IFPA products and/or IFPA sponsored products or services, when available