Roles & Structure

ROLES

ANTI-DOPING COMMISSION

  • Define and implement the WSF’s doping control strategy
  • Produce the annual WSF Test Distribution Plan and regularly update with intelligence based data
  • Select and manage the WSF Registered Testing Pools, educating athletes on the use of ADAMS
  • Monitor Athletes’ whereabouts in ADAMS
  • Organise a comprehensive in- and out-of-competition testing program
  • Monitor the “Play True Tip Line” and investigate accordingly
  • Investigate Atypical Findings and if processed as an Adverse Analytical Finding proceed to Results Management
  • Manage the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program (Haematological and Steroidal)
  • Provide administrative support to the Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) Commission
  • Educate athletes with regard to values, inadvertent usage and the use of the different existing online platforms e.g. ALPHA
  • Ensure website information is updated regularly to provide athletes information on anti-doping, education, TUE applications etc.
  • Monitor compliance of the WSF Anti-Doping Rules by signatories (National Federations of the WSF, PSA)
  • Maintain WADA Compliance
  • Provide statistical reports to WADA and an overview of activities to the WSF Executive Board, while maintaining privacy, confidentiality and independence of the Anti-Doping Commission

ATHLETES COMMISSION

The Athletes Commission was set up to maintain IOC compliance and generally to:

  • Improve communication between the athletes and the WSF
  • Provide input from the Athletes Commission for the annual review of WSF Referees
  • Encourage dialogue between athletes, clubs and Member Nations

CHAMPIONSHIPS COMMISSION

  • Maintain, improve and enforce WSF Championship Regulations
  • Ensure that there is a host nation for each WSF World Championship and that a full range of WSF Championships are offered
  • Plan Tenders for each World Championship
  • Oversee the efficient planning, marketing and running of all World Championships
  • Specify standards for, and provide quality control on, all World Championships
  • Advise the Board on competitive structures for all events, including Major Games
  • Advise the Board on player eligibility
  • Raise maximum possible income from Rights Fees for World Championships, compatible with efficient staging and distribution of events around the five WSF Regions. To coordinate the World Calendar
  • Control seeding for all World Championships, in conjunction with Junior and Masters Commissions, through the Seeding Panels
  • Advise the Board and Major Games Commission as required on competitive structures and formats of play for competition generally
  • Nurture the development of potential Technical Delegates for all World Championships, and to mentor to raise their standards 

COACHING COMMISSION

  • Disseminate relevant resources, notably via the WSF website
  • Conduct a WSF Coaching conference annually
  • Implement worldwide coaching level standardisation and qualification recognition and transportability via the WSF Coach Education Programme

COMMERCIAL COMMISSION

  • Audit the assets of WSF and create a hierarchy of them
  • Develop a commercial strategy for partnerships and sponsors
  • Initiate promotional and contact plans
  • Arrange marketing materials and the detail needed for them
  • Ensure that WSF can deliver commercial benefits as offered
  • Oversee WSF media (including social) management
  • Develop international TV coverage from World Championships via broadcast partners

COURTS & EQUIPMENT COMMISSION

  • Set specifications and standards for all technical products used in the sport of Squash, including courts, rackets, balls and eye protectors
  • Set specifications for squash courts
  • Monitor all products on the market worldwide and recommend appropriate action on those not meeting WSF standards
  • Evaluate applications for company and product Accreditation, carry out site inspections and report on suitability for approval
  • Monitor all technical aspects of Squash and recommend change as appropriate
  • Provide a linkage between WSF Accredited Companies and specifiers and builders of Squash courts
  • Assist in the maximisation of income from WSF approval of all Squash products
  • Liaise with PSA in relation to playing standards

DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

  • Disseminate relevant resources, notably via the WSF website
  • Identification of ‘Squash Developing Nations’ with assistance from Regional Federations
  • Assist Member Nations with squash development matters as requested
  • Encourage Regional Federations to appoint part-time WSF Regional development coaches
  • Development of a standard promotional package that can be used to introduce squash in schools
  • Consider programmes for sending WSF appointed coaches to developing countries
  • Conduct the WSF Ambassador programme in squash developing nations
  • Commence a survey to determine the development status and needs of Member Nations
  • Define guidelines and a framework for entry level active programmes for young squash beginners
  • Conduct WSF Development conferences

DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

  • Continue to monitor, advise on any disciplinary incidents at WSF events and recommend actions
  • Update the WSF Code of Conduct as necessary
  • Encourage Regional Federations to fully adopt the WSF Code of Conduct
  • Continue the introduction of Mutual Recognition of Penalties via and Integrated Disciplinary Panel in conjunction with PSA and Regional Federations
  • Provide an appeals procedure for disputes between WSF members and other parties
  • Maintain development of offence benchmark penalties

ETHICS COMMISSION

  • Deal with ethics matters and complaints brought to it when activated
  • Advise on policies that will minimise the possibility of Ethics issues
  • Promote good governance as necessary

GOVERNANCE & AUDIT COMMISSION

  • Determine financial strategies to facilitate the long-term sustainability of the WSF
  • Review and recommend annual budgets and four year forecasts to the Board
  • Evaluate finance proposals and business cases (if any) prepared by Management and recommend them (or otherwise) to the Board for adoption
  • Monitor and address any concerns relating to financial performance against budgets, cash flow projections, debtors, foreign exchange requirements, exposure and management accounting
  • Review any significant accounting and reporting issues, including professional and regulatory announcements
  • Review the annual financial statements and liaise with the external Auditor before submission to the Board for approval
  • Review, for potential conflicts of interest situations, and pre-approve all related party transactions on an on-going basis
  • Recommend the appointment, terms of engagement, audit plan and the audit evaluation and/or dismissal of the external Auditor to the Board
  • Oversee the quality of the audit conducted and review external audit reports
  • Monitor the establishment and maintenance of corporate governance, risk and internal control frameworks
  • Monitor compliance with appropriate laws, regulations and relevant corporate governance frameworks
  • Oversee the WSF’s Risk Management Policy and Framework, including regular monitoring via a risk register
  • Review and recommend insurance coverage for the WSF

JUNIOR COMMISSION

  • Advise on matters relating to Junior squash generally
  • Recommend specific Rules & Regulations for Junior Squash
  • Coordinate a World Junior Circuit and Rankings as agreed
  • Assist the seeding process for Junior events

MAJOR GAMES COMMISSION

  • Continuance or inclusion of Squash in all Major Games worldwide
  • Review formats and other facets as necessary to help ensure continued participation
  • Recommend plans for lobbying for the inclusion of Squash in Major Games

MASTERS COMMISSION

  • Advise on matters relating to Masters squash generally
  • Recommend specific Rules & Regulations for Masters Squash
  • Coordinate a World Masters Circuit and Rankings as agreed
  • Assist the seeding process for Masters events

MEDICAL COMMISSION

  • Advise on and respond to medical or scientific questions from WSF Commissions or the Board
  • Provide independent advice on health issues to WSF Member Nations and their players
  • Monitor the physical effects of Squash on players of all standards and recommend action plans to ensure that it remains a safe sport
  • Oversee the implementation of the World Squash Anti-Doping Code

OLYMPIC GAMES COMMISSION

  • Advise (and manage as agreed) Olympic bid Campaigns
  • Promote the inclusion of squash representatives on international sport committees and National Olympic Committees

PARA-SQUASH COMMISSION

  • Advise on Para-Squash matters
  • Promote Para-Squash as widely as possible

RULES COMMISSION

  • Monitor, recommend changes to, and draft the Rules of Squash
  • Promote awareness of the Rules to member nations
  • Develop and publish Rules information as appropriate

SQUASH 57 COMMISSION

  • Advise on the Rules
  • Answer general enquiries
  • Develop promotional and information materials for nations

THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION COMMISSION

  • Review Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) applications
  • Determine whether TUE applications are appropriate
  • Obtain further information – if required – from the athletes physician
  • Decide whether to accept or reject a TUE application
  • Determine how often a medical assessment is required by the athlete’s physician, if necessary
  • Specify to the athlete the dose and frequency of the medication(s) permitted by the TUE

OPERATIONAL OUTLINE OF WSF COMMISSIONS

  • Each Commission Chairman (normally a specialist in the field) reports to the Board via the Board appointed liaison on the Commission (WSF President or Vice President) and the WSF office.
  • Commission members are proposed by the Chairman, Regional Federations and/or the WSF Office for review by the Board.
  • Chairs will submit Board reports twice a year.

SELECTION OF CHAIR & MEMBERS

  • Chairs are recommended to the Board for selection, normally by the WSF Office.
  • Term of Commission Membership:
    • Commission membership would not ordinarily exceed five persons, and with a minimum of three Regions represented.
    • There will be a review of Commission membership every two years so that a degree of regeneration can be incorporated to maintain freshness.

COMMISSION CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Manage their Commission activity.
  • Provide a half yearly report for review by the Board
  • Attend the WSF Conference and, if required to do so, present their activities from the past year.
  • Provide data for the Executive Committee Report.
  • Provide an outline of the following year’s anticipated activities.
  • Provide a draft budget for the following year’s anticipated activities. 

COMMISSION MEETINGS

  • Routine business is carried out by email.
  • E-meetings should be held at least once a year, with face-to-face meetings being held whenever costs allow.
  • The WSF funds the travel and accommodation for the Chair of each Commission, but members are self-funded or possibly supported by Regions.

FUNCTION & ACTIVITIES

  • The Chair of each Commission is responsible for identifying areas of action for the Commission and recommending strategy and plans to the Board.