About Us
VISION
Our vision is “to enable our coaches, judges, athletes and the wider pole sports community the best opportunity to achieve their highest potential in all aspects of Pole Sports.”


MISSION
Our mission is “to enable and inspire people to take part in safe and effective pole sports around the world.”
History

The Pole Sports Association India was founded in 13-04-2012 by Dr. Shrikant Warankar with the purpose of uniting the athletes, coaches, judges and enthusiasts.

MEMEBERSHIP APPROVAL WITH POSA (Pole Sports & Arts World Federation) - on 19-08-2017

The concept of Pole as a sport dates back to 2006, after pole became a popular fitness form in 2000 and pole competitions started gaining popularity. Competitions had little or no scoring or judging criteria, no way of consistently awarding points to those athlete that were technically and artistically superior, and rules consisted of very little in the way of guidance on what the judges were and were and were not looking for.

In 2006, a survey was carried out by Katie Coates to see how the pole community felt about Pole Sports becoming an Olympic Sport; over 10,000 voted in favour. In 2008, Tim Trautman of the USA began working with Katie on the Pole Sports & Arts World Federation, and the term Pole Sports was created transforming Pole forever from a physical activity performed socially and for fitness, into to an international sport and competition. 

Soon, national federations began forming and competitive teams were organised. The 1st World Pole Sports Championships took place in 2012 with just 43 athletes from 14 countries; only 5 were men. 2013 saw the launch of the Youth category with just 7 athletes. Just 5 years later, in 2017, there was an increase of over 80% in participation in the youth category; in total, 229 athletes from 36 countries competed on the World Pole Sports stage.

By mid-2011, an estimated 95 percent of all Pole Sports Athletes were girls and women; as a consequence the feedback from the IOC has been to improve the balance in genders, which the POSA have pushed to do. In 2017, male junior and novice categories were opened for the first time, which helped to increase male participation by more than 70%.

In 2014 the POSA contacted GAISF regarding the application process, and the road to recognition began. The POSA began aligning itself to the GAISF and IOC criteria, expanding national federations to 25 with a further 12 in the application process.


1. Pole Sports Focus ‐

We want to enable and inspire all coaches, judges, athletes and enthusiasts to enjoy pole sports, by providing opportunities for individuals to engage, develop and realise their potential within all aspects of the sport, regardless of their age, background, ability or disability.

2.International Success ‐

We want our sport to be recognised nationally and internationally with representation at multi-sport events, the World Games, and eventually at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

3. Delivering Partnerships ‐

We want to develop strong internal and external partnerships, at all levels, in order to provide opportunities, structures and support for Pole Sports and the wider pole community.

4. Raising the Profile of Pole Sports ‐

We want to publicise and inform the public about the full range of Pole Sports activities, leading to increased recognition, sponsorship, funding, access and participants for our sport.

5. Athlete Support -

The development of an extensive pole sports structure and community to support athletes for careers as they transition out of competition. We want to build a sustainable long-term future for Pole Sports athletes.

6. Coach Support ‐

We want a cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support pole athletes at all stages of their development

7. Anti-Doping ‐

Our aim is to maintain an Anti-Doping Programme in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, which is recognised as the gold standard in fairness, equality, and integrity across all sports and all countries.

8. Govern & Regulate ‐

To fairly and comprehensively govern and regulate Pole Sports, from a national perspective, in all regions.



Development of the sport over the years:

2009 - Formation of the POSA

2012 - First World Championships

2013 – Introduction of a youth programme

2014 – First contact with SportAccord (now GAISF)

2014 – Anti-Doping programme introduced

2015 – First application to SportAccord (now GAISF)

2016 – Approved as a WADA signatory

2016 – Applied to the IOC for membership

2017 – Signed a trilateral agreement with the FIG and GAISF to allow the international membership of GAISF

2017 – Observer Status granted by GAISF