Updated 28.7.25
1 INTRODUCTION
- Virtus provides an annual programme of World and Regional Championship events, working closely with the relevant International Federations (IF).
- The Global Games are held every 4 years and feature competition in a range of sports.
- All sports and competition are run to Virtus rules, which are based on IF rules with specific alterations as detailed in the relevant sport specifications.
2 BECOMING A VIRTUS SPORT
- The Governing Board has sole authority to determine the official Virtus sports programme (at a World or Regional level). They will consider and make a decision on any new sports.
- This does not apply to demonstration/non-medal event sports which can be determined at a Regional or Sports Committee level, however the Governing Board should be informed of any intention to include a demonstration sport within a Virtus event.
- Only sports that are widely and regularly practised by a minimum of 3 Virtus nations from 2 regions may be considered for inclusion on the Virtus sport programme.
- ‘Widely and regularly practiced’ is defined as nations that can demonstrate activities including some or all of:
- Holding recognised National Championships within the last 4 years
- Competing in international recognized competitions on a regular basis within the last 4 years
- Demonstrating frequent and widespread domestic opportunities in the sport
- Applications for a new sport should:
- Be presented in writing to the Governing Board
- Including detailed information and evidence regarding the level of participation, competition history and development of the sport
- Explain how the sport will be managed (eg. details of Sports Committee)
- Provide an overview of how the sport will be developed and grown
- Detail any financial or other impacts on the organisation
- Detail any links with the relevant International Federation
- Include a draft sports specification document
- All sports that feature on the sport programme will be managed by the relevant Sports Committee or, in their absence, the Sport Director.
- The Governing Board, in consultation with the sports, will be responsible for maintaining an event cycle determining the rota of World, Regional, Global Games and other competition over a 4-year period. All Sports, Regions, Members and other interested parties will respect the cycle and will not permit an event to occur that is outside the cycle without the express prior written permission of the Governing Board.
3 Virtus Events and Competition
- To be considered as a “World Championship”, events must be contended by a minimum of 5 Virtus Nations from 2 Regions.
- To be considered as a “Regional Championship”, events must be contended by a minimum of 3 Virtus Nations from 1 Region.
- All events (World and Regional) must be subject to the Bid Process except where specific dispensation is granted by the Governing Board in advance.
- All events must adhere to the Virtus policies on branding, and any variations must be with the prior written consent of the Governing Board.
- All events must be fulfilled by an Event Hosting Agreement signed by all parties.
4 Partnership Sports
In some sports, Virtus may choose to work in partnership with an International Federation to grow a sport. In such cases, the IF will usually be responsible for the sport rules and its development, whilst Virtus will be responsible for eligibility.
The precise nature of the agreement will be set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
5 The Global Games Programme
The Governing Board will have the sole responsibility to determine the Global Games competition and demonstration event programme.
The Board will receive a recommendation from the Global Games Committee approximately two years before the event.
Inclusion on the competition programme will be based upon the principles as set out in Section 3 above. Demonstration events will be considered on a case by case basis according to the benefits that will be derived for the sport, taking careful account of the ability of the LOC to deliver the event.
