Sport must be for everyone. The opportunity to participate in sports should not be tied to social class, background, income, or wealth. ACA actively advocates for registration fees and membership dues of its clubs to be as affordable as possible, to enable people from households with fewer financial resources to engage in Medieval Combat Soft-Sword training. Striving for barrier-free training locations is also part of this package of measures.

One of our main goals in this regard – once the sports federation receives funding at the federal level for sports – is to subsidize the acquisition of competition equipment, thus enabling more athletes to participate in tournament events.

Equal treatment starts with language usage. Therefore, ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA strives for inclusive language in its documents, publications, and interactions. We use inclusive language with ":innen" to facilitate readability for individuals with disabilities, especially visual impairments. Step by step, we aim to fully implement the guidelines of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG 2.2) WAI / W3C for accessible documents and websites.

Medieval Combat, like most combat sports, remains strongly male-dominated in 2024. However, ambitions in sports and the willingness to volunteer are not limited by gender, origin, or religion – ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA promotes the participation of underrepresented groups, thus providing all athletes and officials with fair opportunities and equal development possibilities. We encourage individuals to actively engage in Medieval Combat (in any form), because in armor, we are all equal anyway.

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA is a member of the Netzwerk Genderkompetenz of 100% Sportthe Austrian Center for Gender Competence and Safe Sport. More information can be found at https://genderkompetenz-sport.at/ and we do https://100prozent-sport.at/

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Gender- Representative

Heinrich S. Wurzian, BSc
heinrich.wurzian@armoredcombat.at

Our Commitment
Responsible handling of personal data is a core element of the Good Governance framework of ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA (ACA). We protect the data of our members, athletes, officials, and partner organizations in full compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – transparently, securely, and accountably. All details can be found in our Data Protection Policy.

Guiding Principles & Implementation

1. Principles of Data Processing

Data protection means responsibility. We only process personal data when it is lawful, purpose-driven, and in the legitimate interest of sport. Every collection of data is limited to what is necessary, clearly documented, and traceable. All ACA bodies, clubs, and officials are obliged to follow these principles and ensure the protection of any information entrusted to them.

2. Rights of Data Subjects

Transparency is a fundamental right. All individuals whose data is stored by ACA have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, or objection to certain types of processing. Consent may be withdrawn at any time without any negative consequences for the individual concerned. In case of complaints, the Austrian Data Protection Authority may be contacted at dsb@dsb.gv.at

3. Data Security & Monitoring

ACA implements comprehensive technical and organizational measures: encrypted data transfers, access restrictions, two-factor authentication, regular backups, and data protection training. All officials and staff members are bound by confidentiality obligations. The Legal & Compliance Unit regularly monitors compliance with this policy and reports directly to the Presidium.

4. Children & Youth

Special protection measures apply to minors. Data of underage athletes is processed only with the consent of their legal guardians. Photos or videos of minors are published exclusively with explicit permission. This ensures the best possible protection of young athletes’ privacy.

5. Responsibility & Implementation

Das Präsidium der ACA trägt die Gesamtverantwortung für den Datenschutz.
The Administrative Office ist für die operative Umsetzung zuständig, während die Legal & Compliance Unit beratend und kontrollierend tätig ist.
Gemeinsam gewährleisten sie, dass Datenschutz im Verband gelebte Praxis ist.

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Data Protection
Legal & Compliance Unit
datenschutz@armoredcombat.at

Ein wesentlicher Aspekt von Fairness / Fair Play ist die Integrität des Sports. Doping und Substanzmissbrauch haben in unserer Sportart sowie in der ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA keinen Platz. Wer dopt, der fügt nicht nur seinem Körper, sondern auch seinem Sport Schaden zu.

Anti-doping work is carried out based on the World Anti-Doping Code and the Austrian Anti-Doping Federal Law. The goals are to protect the health of athletes and the right of athletes and support personnel to participate in doping-free competitions.

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA supports the work, mission, and goals of the National Anti-Doping Agency Austria (NADA Austria) and has incorporated key provisions of the Anti-Doping Federal Law into its federation bylaws.

In its commitment to doping prevention ACA has clarified its perspective on doping and its handling in close cooperation with NADA Austria. Information on the topic as well as offerings from NADA Austria for Medieval Combat athletes and officials are also included therein.

Once ACA achieves its goal and becomes an associated member of Sport Austria, the next step will involve NADA conducting a risk assessment for Medieval Combat and Medieval Combat athletes being included in a national testing pool. Based on the risk assessment, a comprehensive prevention concept and action plan for the sport will be developed in close collaboration with NADA.

As long as there is no sport-specific risk assessment, ACA has decided, as a first step, to make it mandatory for the Austrian national team (athletes and coaches) to complete the NADA e-learning and participate in training conducted by NADA as part of the National Team Training Camp.

As another measure to raise awareness of "clean sport" among a broader Medieval Combat audience, ACA has decided to require the leaders of the coaching committees of Medieval Combat clubs in Austria to participate in NADA e-learning and training sessions on the topic (at least every three years).

For further information on doping prevention, please visit www.nada.at 

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Anti-Doping Officer
Alexander Steinbock, BSc
alexander.steinbock@armoredcombat.at

Responsible leadership means transparency, participation, and accountability. ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA (ACA) defines Good Governance as the fair, transparent, and value-based management of its organization – from decision-making and financial oversight to gender equality and sustainability.

We follow the Good Governance Guidelines of Sport Austria and the program of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sports (BMWKMS). In addition, we apply the Austrian NPO Governance Code as a proven framework for leadership and oversight in nonprofit organizations. These standards are gradually being integrated into all federation structures – from the Statutes and Rules of Procedure to the Sport and Competition Regulations.

Transparency for us means disclosing conflicts of interest, publishing annual financial and activity reports, ensuring clear responsibilities, and providing the possibility to report concerns confidentially. Democracy and participation are lived at all levels – from the Presidium to the regional associations.

Furthermore, ACA is committed to sustainability and fairness in sport: we promote environmentally conscious events, gender equality, Safe Sport, and integrity as integral elements of responsible governance.

Our Commitment to Good Governance can be found here: ACA Commitment to Good Governance

Further information on the topic of Good Governance: 
Good Governance Guidelines of Sport Austria
BMWKMS Good Governance Programme
Austrian NPO Governance Code

Fairness, respect, and responsibility are the core values of our sport. ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA (ACA) is committed to protecting the integrity of Medieval Combat and takes a clear stand against manipulation, corruption, discrimination, and exclusion.

As Austria’s national governing body for the Medieval Combat-Sport, ACA follows the standards of the Play Fair Code and the fairplay initiative, which promote integrity, anti-discrimination, and diversity in sports. Together, we raise awareness for fair play, foster respectful behavior, and strengthen the values on which our sport is built.

We maintain zero tolerance for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, antisemitism, ableism, and all forms of discrimination. ACA organizes workshops, training sessions, and participates in campaigns to educate about these issues and to create safe, inclusive spaces – both in training and at tournaments.

At all ACA events, the same principles apply: no betting, no manipulation, no place for hate or exclusion. Our members, officials, and athletes are committed to upholding these principles, which are enshrined in the Sport and Competition Regulations as well as in the Disciplinary Code.

Our full Commitment to Integrity, Diversity & Fair Play is available for download here:
ACA Commitment to Integrity, Diversity & Fair Play

Further information: 
https://www.playfaircode.at/ 
https://www.fairplay.or.at/

At the ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA, we take responsibility for creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people in the sport of Medieval Combat. As the official sports federation, it is our mission to ensure supportive and empowering conditions for young athletes – in clubs, at competitions, and through initiatives like "Medieval Combat goes to School“.

Our Child and Youth Protection Policy is binding for all member clubs, coaches, staff, and referees. It is grounded in our Code of Conduct and forms part of our broader Safeguarding and Violence Prevention Framework, which is regularly reviewed and updated.

We believe that every child has the right to enjoy sport – with joy, without fear, and in an environment that respects their rights and individual needs. That’s why we focus on transparency, age-appropriate communication, and easy, accessible channels for reporting and support.

For more information on child safeguarding in sport, please visit https://safesport.at/, https://gewaltinfo.at and we do https://100prozent-sport.at/

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Prevention and Protection Officer
Amelie Shirin Öhlinger and we do Mag. Florian Seidl
safesport@armoredcombat.at

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA's events come in many different forms and sizes, ranging from training workshops, informational evenings, and organizational meetings to competitions and championships. The workload for conceptualization, planning, and implementation varies greatly depending on the objectives, size, location, and a variety of other parameters. Making an event sustainable requires good preparation and is equally complex under these circumstances.

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA strives to live up to the principles of ecological, economic, and social sustainability in the context of its events. Therefore, we organize and conduct our events based on the criteria of the Vienna Eco-Eventcertification and comparable regional initiatives of the Green Events Austria.This means that we think about climate-friendly, socially fair, and barrier-free implementation already in the planning phase. For example, we aim to facilitate environmentally friendly travel for our participants, provide regional catering for our guests, minimize waste production, and consider the prudent use of resources.

For more information on sustainability at events, please visit www.oekoevent.at and we do www.greeneventsaustria.at/initiativen

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Event Officer
Heinrich S. Wurzian, BSc
events@armoredcombat.at

Although Medieval Combat is a martial art that can trace its origins to the martial European Medieval Ages, violence and radical ideologies have no place in sports. ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA is apolitical, does not promote ideologies, and actively advocates for the prevention of violence in all forms. We follow the guidelines of the Respect and Safety Handbook for Sports Clubs by 100% Sportthe Austrian Center for Gender Competence and Safe Sport. We have developed our own prevention concept and a code of conduct for the Medieval Combat Sport with the guidance of the Safe Sport e-Learnings.

The ACA has appointed a prevention and protection officer, who, with the immediate support of the ACA presidency, will establish a network of contacts for violence prevention at all levels of the federation within ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA. These individuals will not only serve as the first point of contact for those affected in case of incidents but also act as multipliers to raise awareness within the clubs.

Following the Safe Sport Standards, ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA aims to conduct regular and comprehensive analyses of the sport-specific and inherent risks of Medieval Combat to develop targeted measures and, if necessary, tighten regulations. In this context, collaborating with organizations such as Safe Sport and vera* is of particular importance to us.

For further information on violence prevention in sports, please visit https://safesport.at/, https://vera-vertrauensstelle.at/ and we do https://100prozent-sport.at/

ARMORED COMBAT AUSTRIA Prevention and Protection Officer
Amelie Shirin Öhlinger and we do Mag. Florian Seidl
safesport@armoredcombat.at

Transparency builds trust – and trust is the foundation of our community. Through its Whistleblowing Policy, Armored Combat Austri(ACA) provides a safe and confidential channel to report possible breaches of law, ethics, or federation rules.

The system protects individuals who report misconduct such as discrimination, corruption, violence, harassment, misuse of funds, or serious safety violations. The Legal & Compliance Unit independently reviews every report, documents the process, and ensures appropriate action is taken.

Whistleblowers are fully protected from retaliation or discrimination. Any reprisals are treated as serious violations of ACA’s Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary measures. Malicious or knowingly false reports, however, are not tolerated.

Reports can be submitted anonymously or by name:

• Via our anonymous online reporting form (Whistleblowing System)
• by email to compliance@armoredcombat.at
• by post to the ACA Legal & Compliance Unit, KLG Neugebäude Schloss Parz. 4, 1110 Vienna

For written submissions, an analog reporting form (PDF) is also available:
ACA Reporting Form – Whistleblowing System

The full ACA Whistleblowing Policy can be downloaded here:
ACA Whistleblowing Policy