NWANA Nordic Walking Groups

Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group License

Purpose of the License

The Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group License is an NWANA group license intended for the creation and gradual development of a Nordic Walking Group within a specific sports club, sports federation, athletic association, sports governing body, or another sports organization.

The license applies to the group as a separate group within the NWANA system. It is not an individual participant license, an athlete competition license, or a license authorizing one person to represent a sports organization.

Authorization from the Sports Organization

A Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group associated with a specific organization may be created only by that organization or with its permission.

An individual may express interest in developing Nordic Walking through a particular sports organization and may propose the creation of a group. However, obtaining an Individual Sports Organization License does not, by itself, authorize that person to:

represent the sports organization;
use its name, logo, facilities, communication channels, or other resources;
establish a group as an official program of the organization;
make commitments or collect funds on behalf of the organization.

NWANA may request confirmation that the sports organization has authorized the creation of the group and the use of its identity.

An independent local group that is not connected with an authorizing sports organization should be created under the Community Nordic Walking Group License.

How a Licensed Group Is Created

The formation of a new group may begin when at least one Individual Sports Organization License holder is interested in developing Nordic Walking through a particular sports organization.

After the organization’s authorization is confirmed, NWANA creates the Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group, provides it with a group license, and creates a dedicated page within the NWANA system.

The first registered participant becomes the first licensed participant associated with the new group. This person does not automatically become the group’s owner, leader, coach, or official representative and is not required to organize its activities.

The sports organization determines who is authorized to represent it and who may perform leadership or administrative functions within the group.

What the Group License Provides

The Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group License allows the authorized group to:

operate within the NWANA system as a Nordic Walking Group connected with the participating sports organization;
have a dedicated page for information, registration, news, programs, and events;
welcome new Individual Sports Organization License holders;
introduce Nordic Walking opportunities within the sports organization;
organize recreational, wellness, training, and sport-development activities;
invite appropriately qualified instructors, coaches, and other professionals;
participate in NWANA programs and events;
organize its own in-person and virtual events and competitions;
develop gradually toward RECOGNIZED status.

Obtaining the group license does not require the organization or group to begin any activities immediately.

Cost of the Group License

The initial Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group License is provided free of charge.

Creating the group and its dedicated page is also free. During the initial stage, the group does not pay an annual NWANA fee.

The $200 annual group license fee applies only after the group voluntarily receives RECOGNIZED status.

No Initial Requirements

Obtaining and maintaining the initial group license does not require:

a minimum number of participants;
the immediate appointment of a group leader;
an instructor, coach, or judge;
regular walks, practices, or training sessions;
organized events or competitions;
the collection of membership fees;
an immediate application for RECOGNIZED status.

The group may begin with one interested participant and develop at a pace approved by the participating sports organization.

Possible Areas of Development

Depending on the interests of the participants and the authorization provided by the sports organization, the group may gradually develop:

introductory Nordic Walking activities;
recreational and wellness programs;
group walks and training sessions;
technical instruction provided by qualified professionals;
athlete-development and performance programs;
educational events and workshops;
participation in NWANA competitions and other events;
its own in-person and virtual competitions;
volunteer, partnership, sponsorship, and fundraising initiatives.

None of these activities is required for the group to maintain its initial license.

Qualified Activities

The group license does not, by itself, authorize any participant to teach Nordic Walking technique, provide professional instruction, coach athletes, or serve as a judge.

A person must have the appropriate training, license, qualification, or authorization to perform these activities.

The group may exist and develop before it has an instructor, coach, or judge. Professional qualifications are not required for ordinary participation, organizational assistance, sharing information, or volunteering.

All activities conducted under the name of the participating sports organization must also comply with that organization’s authorization and internal policies.

Group Events and Competitions

A Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group may organize its own in-person and virtual events and competitions as it develops and with the authorization of the participating sports organization.

Such an event may be presented as a competition of the group or the participating sports organization, depending on the authorization provided by that organization.

If the group wishes to obtain separate designation for a competition as an official NWANA competition, that designation must be arranged separately in accordance with NWANA rules.

Financial Structure

During the initial stage, payments associated with group programs and events and collected through the NWANA-created page are processed through NWANA.

After NWANA operating expenses, these funds may be used to support the group’s page, events, programs, and continued development.

Any fundraising, sponsorship, or financial activity conducted under the name of the participating sports organization must be authorized by that organization.

If the group later receives RECOGNIZED status, it may be provided with expanded administrative capabilities and its own payment structure within the NWANA system, subject to the applicable arrangements with the participating sports organization.

RECOGNIZED Status

RECOGNIZED status applies to the group and its group license, not to an individual participant.

Obtaining this status is optional. The group may remain at the initial stage for as long as necessary.

The requirements and application process for RECOGNIZED status will be published separately at the appropriate stage of the program’s development.

After the group receives RECOGNIZED status, the annual cost of its NWANA group license is $200.

Difference from the Individual Sports Organization License

The Sports Organization Nordic Walking Group License applies to the authorized group and is initially provided free of charge.

The Individual Sports Organization License applies to a specific person and costs $20 per year. RunSignup automatically prorates the fee based on the time remaining in the current license year.

The Individual Sports Organization License is open to anyone interested in supporting the development of Nordic Walking through sports clubs, federations, governing bodies, athletic associations, and other sports organizations. No previous athletic experience or current affiliation with a sports organization is required to obtain the individual license.

However, the individual license does not authorize its holder to represent a specific sports organization or create a group under that organization’s name without permission.

An Individual Sports Organization License holder may join an existing authorized group or help propose the creation of a new group.

Individual license holders may register for and participate in NWANA in-person and virtual competitions in accordance with the rules of each event. They receive a 5% discount on NWANA competition registration fees.

Neither the individual license nor the group license is an athlete competition license. If a separate athlete license is required for a particular competition, this requirement will be stated in the event rules. The athlete license can be obtained through https://license.nwaofna.org/.