Update on the Status of WFDF’s World Championships
20 March 2020
Consideration of the impact from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and its rapid spread around the world, WFDF released an official statement on 4 March regarding the impact of the pandemic on its world championship events scheduled for the coming months. As of 19 March 2020, WFDF remains fully committed to holding the 2020 events – WUGC, WJUC and WMUC – as scheduled.
There are two major events scheduled to take place in Europe in July: the WFDF 2020 World Ultimate & Guts Championships (11-18 July in Netherlands) and the WFDF 2020 World Junior Ultimate Championships (18-25 July in Sweden). The WFDF 2020 World Masters Ultimate Championships is to be held in September in Australia.
The measures being taken around the globe by international, national and local governments are extraordinary in response to the seriousness of the situation we now face. As this is a new disease, there is no certainty about how or when the pandemic will run its course. WFDF’s first priority will always be the safety and well-being of all athletes and other participants. WFDF thanks all of the medical personnel around the world, working tirelessly at reducing and eradicating this unprecedented threat, and it is in solidarity with the whole of society to contain the virus.
Although WFDF is closely monitoring the unfolding developments and updated information from various health organizations and government authorities, based on continuing conversations and research, WFDF is still planning on holding the events in July, as scheduled. WFDF and the Tournament Organizing Committees (the “TOCs”) are proceeding with event planning for these events, given the considerable amount of time to assess and respond to developments between now and July. WFDF will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate this evolving situation as new facts and information, as well as government advisories, present themselves. WFDF is also considering what steps can be taken at our events to ensure the safety of our athletes, staff, and spectators.
We have received a number of inquiries from teams and member national federations asking for more information about team fees and player fee refunds if the events are eventually cancelled or postponed. The WFDF policy on tournament fee payments is that they are non-refundable; however, given the unprecedented nature of the present situation, should an event be cancelled, the intent is to have the TOCs reimburse teams as possible with available funds that have not been spent or that have been refunded from vendors and suppliers for such events. WFDF and the TOCs are using all reasonable measures to minimize the impact any such cancellations would have. We appreciate your patience in this effort. WFDF encourages all participants to continue to prepare for the July events as best they can.
Rest assured, WFDF will only hold our events if permitted by government regulations and if the health and safety of all participants and spectators can reasonably be assured. Teams and participants making their own travel arrangements (flights, rental cars, visas, personal accommodations, etc) need to be aware of, understand, and take into consideration the terms of sale when entering into any purchase or contract. WFDF recommends that any travellers purchase travel insurance to minimize the impact of a cancelled event, to the extent possible and feasible.
WFDF will provide additional updates as new information develops.
Latest WFDF Communiques
01 December 2020 - Official Communication 
The World Flying Disc Federation ("WFDF") is pleased to announce that it has launched today a new official website and domain name "wfdf.sport." The web site revamp was undertaken to upgrade the underlying site architecture, from the last overhaul in late 2011, to current standards, including native mobile accessibility. WFDF signed an agreement in 2018 to use the dot sport internet domain, which is managed by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) for ICANN, as use of the dot sport domain shows we are a recognized member of the international sports community.
09 November 2020 - Official Communication 
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is pleased to announce that WFDF has joined the UNAOC One Humanity Campaign, which calls for solidarity, compassion and unity in the face of discrimination and divisiveness. The International Federations which sign up to the initiative have pledged their commitment to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) campaign. The campaign will see signatory sports champion One Humanity by demonstrating their commitment to peaceful and inclusive societies through a range of initiatives and projects that will be featured on a dedicated online platform in future to increase the visibility of this important campaign.
30 October 2020 - Official Communication
Planning to resume global Flying Disc events starting in July 2021
Following the March 24 announcement by the World Flying Disc Federation that all Flying Disc championships in 2020 were cancelled or postponed due to the rapid spread COVID-19 virus and effect of the pandemic on international travel, WFDF has been pushing forward with negotiations, plans, and preparations for a full calendar of events for 2021.
As of today, WFDF is planning to hold its World Under-24 Ultimate Championships (3-10 July, Limerick, IRL), World Ultimate and Guts Championships (24-31 July, Leeuwarden, NED), World Overall Championships (July, USA), and World Beach Ultimate Championships (November, USA). The World Team Disc Golf Championships (Croatia) will be postponed to August 2022 and World Masters Ultimate championships (Gold Coast, AUS), which was initially announced to be postponed to September 2021, has been cancelled.
21 October 2020 - Official Communication
WFDF seeks interest from juniors (Under 18) to participate in the UTS Virtual Youth Festival 2020
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is proud to announce that we have been invited to participate in the United Through Sports (UTS) Virtual Youth Festival (VYF) 2020. This event is a unique opportunity for the WFDF juniors athletes to be involved in a United through Sport movement that promotes health and safety through competition of an online festival. WFDF is seeking interest from juniors (Under 18) who wish to participate.
The Festival will be hosted on a digital platform, and youth participants will need a recording device (such as a mobile phone) and access to the internet to participate during the finals on the 20-22 November 2020. Participants will need to upload their video to participate. The Festival finals coincide with the United Nations’ World Children’s Day.
02 October 2020 - Official Communication
Overview
WFDF is seeking enthusiastic, skilled and committed candidates for its 2020 Elections. Complete nominations must be received by the Nominating Committee by October 28, 2020. The target date for the start of the elections is between November 1 and November 15, 2020, with a targeted end date of no later than December 15, 2020. Results should be announced by December 31, 2020 subject to confirmation of acceptance by elected candidates. The following positions are open for election for two-year terms commencing on January 1, 2021 and concluding December 31, 2022:
Board of Directors
· President (2 year term)
· Secretary (2 year term)
· Disc Golf chair (2 year term)
· Overall Committee Chair (2 year term)
· Guts Chair (2 year term)
· Beach Ultimate Chair (2 year term)
Continental President, Africa (to be elected by Continental Association)
Continental President, Europe (to be elected by Continental Association)
01 October 2020 - Official Communication
Strengthens its commitment to equity and equality in all aspects
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved a WFDF Non-Discrimination Policy during their Board meeting on 20 September 2020.
Among its various provisions, the policy:
· affirms that WFDF is “fully committed to the principles and practice of equality of opportunity. It is responsible for ensuring that all people, irrespective of race or ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socio-economic status, and physical attributes, have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in Flying Disc at all levels and in all roles;”
· states that WFDF ”and its members, have an ethical, moral and business responsibility to take stock of their current position and plan for the inclusion of a wider range of participants;” and
· establishes that this “policy has been produced to prevent/tackle any potential/current discrimination or other unfair treatment, whether intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect, against its employees, members, participants and volunteers.”
28 September 2020 - Official Communication
Introduces structures on safeguarding athletes from all forms of misconduct
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved of the new WFDF Safe Sport Policy during its meeting on 20 September 2020. WFDF’s policy on safeguarding athletes and participants from discrimination, harassment and abuse shall describe the processes to help prevent this from occurring and define the procedures available to WFDF participants to bring forward a complaint related to a WFDF Event. It will also describe the consequences of a breach of this policy, including interim measures and specific sanctions. It consists of two parts: a Safe Sport Policy for WFDF events and WFDF Personnel (Part 1) and Guidelines for member National Federations on developing a policy for safeguarding participants from misconduct (Part 2).
25 September 2020 - Official Communication
Brings WFDF membership to 88 Countries
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is pleased to announce that its Congress has approved the Federación de Disco Volador de Nicaragua (FEDIVONIC) as its newest member national federation, increasing WFDF’s membership to 88 national member federations (NFs).
“It is a great pleasure to see organised Flying Disc sport development success in Central America with a growth of our family during these times. This is another example of the success of the WFDF Development grants program, as we provided a grant in 2017 to Nicaragua which catalyzed their development,” commented WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “We are looking forward to welcoming more members from Central America and Africa very soon.”
24 August 2020 - Official Communication
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is proud to announce that WFDF has published the WFDF Gender Equity Toolkit in its first edition. The WFDF Gender Equity Toolkit was commissioned by the WFDF Women in Sport Commission and funded by the WFDF Development Program supported by IOC funding. Alicia Lui was lead author for the project.
“Gender equity - the process of giving fair treatment to all individuals based on their needs, interests, experiences, irrespective of gender - is crucial to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy Disc Sports fully around the world,” stated WFDF Women in Sport Commission chair Caroline “Caz” Malone. “The WFDF Tournament Directors Toolkit (“TDT”) provides Tournament Organizing Committees (“TOCs”) with information about gender equity, along with practical ideas to stage events that are more gender equitable. There are also strategies that everyone in the community can use to achieve better gender balance, as well as handy checklists, and a quiz at the end.”
07 August 2020 - Official Communication
The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is pleased to announce that WFDF will be featured on TAFISA’s Social Media channels in the frame of the TAFISA Family Day. With more than 270 members from over 150 countries on all continents, TAFISA aims to achieve an “active world’ by globally promoting and facilitating access for every person to Sport for All and physical activity.
An online campaign, the TAFISA Family Day celebrates the members’ commitment for a better world. TAFISA Family Day is a great opportunity for the members to share their efforts in combatting physical inactivity through Sport for All and increase awareness within TAFISA Family and the global Sport for All Movement.
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