NIRCA Inclusion Policy

October 30th, 2016 (Updated: Feb 2nd)

The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) recognizes and celebrates all individuals in the student population among its club runners and encourages all students to participate in NIRCA races.

NIRCA Inclusion Policy on Student-Athlete Participation

 

  1. All eligible students are welcome to run in all NIRCA championship and NIRCA club-hosted races.
  2. A participant’s gender identity will be applied when there are gender specific rules associated with all NIRCA championship and club-hosted races.
  3. Individuals may run in the race that best matches their gender identity.  The individual’s identity should mirror the identity marked on team roster and be verified by club officers.
  4. A participant’s gender identity may not be changed throughout the season without approval from both running club officer and a NIRCA Council Member.

 

NIRCA recognizes that, for many, coming to know one’s gender identity does not happen in an instant; it is a complex process that can occur over an extended period of time.  All participants are encouraged to communicate their preferred race with club officers and NIRCA Council Members prior to NIRCA sanctioned races.  Universities and colleges may have different policies and school-specific procedures for working with trans athletes may differ at each institution.

 

Code of Conduct: Any verbal or nonverbal profanity, disrespectful language, obscene gestures or behavior; bullying, homophobic, and transphobic expressions of any kind are strictly prohibited by all participants.

*The NIRCA Inclusion Policy is subject to change. Please see the most current version of the policy here.

 

Rev 10-16


Alex Leandri, NIRCA