Foundation

Our Governance Commitment

NFMSS believes that organizations serving children and schools have a responsibility to operate with integrity, transparency and clearly defined standards. Our governance structure is designed around several fundamental responsibilities:

• Protecting student athletes
• Supporting education based athletics
• Establishing clear organizational policies
• Maintaining appropriate financial oversight
• Managing conflicts of interest
• Protecting confidential information
• Maintaining appropriate organizational records
• Establishing fair participation and eligibility standards
• Providing processes for review and appeal
• Promoting ethical conduct
• Holding participating schools and individuals accountable to established NFMSS standards

Governance is not simply an administrative responsibility. It is an essential part of protecting the integrity of middle school athletics.

Structure

Organizational Structure

The National Federation of Middle School Sports operates under In Time of Need Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NFMSS is dedicated specifically to the development, organization and advancement of education based middle school athletics.

NFMSS establishes standards, policies, educational resources, competition requirements and operational procedures for schools and programs participating within the NFMSS framework. The organization serves students in grades 6 through 8 and works with schools, school districts, athletic directors, coaches, officials, parents, guardians, volunteers and community partners.

Documentation

Governance Documents

NFMSS maintains organizational documents and policies designed to support responsible administration and accountability. These include, as applicable:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Organizational Bylaws
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Records Retention Policy
• Governance Policies
• Financial Controls and Oversight Procedures
• Membership Policies
• Eligibility Policies
• Youth Protection Policies
• Codes of Conduct
• Championship and Competition Standards
• Appeals Procedures
• Sanctioning Requirements
• Privacy and Data Protection Policies
• Risk Management Procedures

Certain documents are publicly available, while others may be restricted because they contain confidential, operational, legal, personnel, security or student related information.

Framework

National Standards

NFMSS has established National Middle School Sports Standards to provide participating schools with a consistent framework for middle school athletics. The framework addresses 11 major areas:

1. Student Athlete Bill of Rights
2. Health and Safety
3. Coach Education
4. Officials Standards
5. Academic and Eligibility Standards
6. Mental Health and Wellness
7. Sportsmanship and Conduct
8. Parent and Spectator Code of Conduct
9. Athlete Data, Privacy and Digital Protection
10. Athlete Development
11. Championship and Competition Standards

These standards establish expectations for NFMSS member programs and help schools create athletic environments centered on safety, education, accountability and student development.

Explore the Full National Standards →

Safety

Student Athlete Protection

Protecting students is one of the most important responsibilities of NFMSS. NFMSS maintains policies and procedures addressing areas that may include:

• Background screening
• Coach and volunteer conduct
• Appropriate adult and student boundaries
• Concussion awareness
• Return to play procedures
• Emergency preparedness
• Heat and hydration safety
• Mental health awareness
• Parent and guardian consent
• Student eligibility
• Media permissions
• Student data and privacy
• Incident reporting
• Spectator conduct
• Athlete protection

Schools, coaches, officials, volunteers and other individuals participating in NFMSS activities are expected to comply with applicable NFMSS safety requirements and codes of conduct.

Accountability

Background Screening and Adult Accountability

Adults entrusted with access to student athletes carry an important responsibility. NFMSS establishes background screening and conduct requirements for applicable coaches, staff members, volunteers, officials, contractors and event personnel serving in NFMSS roles involving access to minors.

Background screening is only one component of student protection. NFMSS also establishes expectations regarding professional conduct, appropriate boundaries, reporting responsibilities, sportsmanship and interactions with student athletes.

Fair Play

Eligibility and Fair Competition

Fair competition requires clearly established eligibility standards. NFMSS maintains student athlete eligibility policies, roster certification requirements, participation standards and competition rules for member schools.

Participating schools are responsible for ensuring that students representing their school satisfy applicable NFMSS eligibility requirements. NFMSS may review eligibility information and take appropriate action when participation requirements have not been satisfied.

Competition

Rules and Competition Governance

NFMSS maintains rules and competition standards governing NFMSS sanctioned activities. These requirements are designed to promote:

• Student safety
• Fair competition
• Consistent eligibility
• Appropriate supervision
• Qualified officiating
• Sportsmanship
• Academic responsibility
• Responsible event management
• Appropriate medical and emergency preparation

Member schools and participating programs are responsible for understanding and following the rules applicable to their participation.

Oversight

Sanctioning and Event Oversight

NFMSS sanctioned events are expected to satisfy established organizational requirements. Depending upon the event, review may include areas such as:

• Student athlete safety
• Eligibility
• Academic impact
• Event operations
• Officiating
• Medical coverage
• Insurance
• Facility readiness
• Sportsmanship
• Compliance with NFMSS competition standards

Sanctioning is intended to help ensure that events conducted within the NFMSS framework meet appropriate expectations for middle school competition.

Integrity

Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Individuals involved in organizational decision making are expected to act in the best interests of the organization and the students and schools it serves.

NFMSS maintains conflict of interest standards intended to identify, disclose and appropriately address circumstances in which personal, professional or financial interests could interfere with organizational responsibilities. Responsible governance requires decisions to be made with integrity and appropriate accountability.

Due Process

Appeals and Due Process

NFMSS recognizes the importance of a defined process for reviewing certain eligibility and compliance decisions. Applicable NFMSS policies provide procedures through which eligible parties may request review or appeal qualifying determinations.

Appeals are handled according to established NFMSS procedures and applicable deadlines. The purpose of the appeals process is to provide an orderly and consistent method for reviewing decisions while protecting the integrity of NFMSS rules and competition.

Stewardship

Financial Stewardship

As part of a nonprofit organization, NFMSS recognizes its responsibility to use organizational resources responsibly and in furtherance of its charitable and educational purposes. Organizational resources support areas such as:

• Student athlete programs
• Educational resources
• Health and safety initiatives
• Championship operations
• Training and professional development
• Technology
• Program administration
• Community outreach
• Organizational growth and infrastructure

NFMSS is committed to responsible financial management and appropriate oversight of organizational resources.

Data Protection

Privacy and Confidentiality

Protecting student information is particularly important when working with middle school students. NFMSS maintains privacy and data protection requirements governing information collected through its websites, registration processes, events and affiliated technology systems.

Certain information is not made publicly available, including protected student information, medical information, background screening records, confidential eligibility documentation, incident reports and other protected records except where disclosure is authorized or legally required. NFMSS expects participating organizations and authorized individuals to handle student information responsibly.

Openness

Transparency and Public Information

NFMSS believes transparency strengthens trust. Information concerning NFMSS programs, standards, policies and operations is made available through the NFMSS website and official organizational publications.

Certain governance, compliance and organizational documents may also be available upon appropriate request or through the NFMSS Forms & Downloads Center. Documents containing confidential information, student information, security procedures, personnel information, privileged communications or protected organizational information may be restricted.

Resources

Official Policies and Resources

Schools, athletic directors, coaches, parents and other authorized individuals can access applicable forms, policies and resources through the NFMSS Forms & Downloads Center. Resources include materials related to:

• Membership
• Eligibility
• Health and Safety
• Sportsmanship
• Compliance
• Coach Conduct
• Background Screening
• Sanctioning
• Appeals
• Competition Rules
• Professional Development
• School Administration

View Forms & Downloads