Eligibility

Valid passports for the country you are representing are required for most international competition. They must be valid for the entirety of the event. A copy of the photo page of the athlete’s passport must be available for inspection at least 90 days prior to the commencement of an event, if required.

Passports are required for all athletes in any multi-sport event (Olympic Games, World Games, etc.), or event that is a qualifier for a multi-sport event.

Squads for non-multi-sport events (or their qualifiers) are required to have at least 85% (in all cases rounded downwards) of the playing squad qualifying by holding a valid passport of the country they are representing. 

For current squad sizes for men’s and women’s field this would be 85% of a full roster of 22, which is 18.7 rounded down to 18. Consequently, the maximum number of Non-Passport Holders would be 4. 

For men’s and women’s box, 85% of 23 is 19.55 rounded down to 19 and consequently the maximum number of Non-Passport Holders is 4.

For men’s and women’s sixes, 85% of 12 is 10.2 rounded down to 10 and consequently the maximum number of Non-Passport Holders is 2.

The number of Non-Passport Holders is relative to the size of the final roster. If, for example, the final roster only includes 19 athletes, only 3 Non-Passport Holders can participate.

All non-passport holder athletes must meet at least one of the requirements listed in Section 5.

Any athlete wishing to qualify for one of the “non-passport” holder positions must meet the internal qualifications set by the member and at least one (1) of the conditions below. Documentation must be provided at least 90 days before the competition:

5.1 Birth

Born in the country.

5.2 Parents

One or both birth parents, adoptive parents, or stepparents, born in the country.

5.3 Grandparents

One or more birth or adoptive grandparents born in the country. Step Grandparents are not acceptable.

5.4 Marriage/Civil Partnership

Partner / spouse being a passport holder of the country, with the qualification that thecouple must be resident in the country being represented.

Note 1: In the event of death of the partner /spouse this would not prevent the athlete from qualifying by these criteria.

Note 2: Divorce from the partner /spouse would disqualify the athlete from qualifying by this criterion.

Note 3: This criterion relates to accepted marriage in the context of a civil or religious ceremony which has been validated by the jurisdiction in that country. “Common law” situations and /or partnerships without such formal acceptance (and hence supporting documentation) will not be accepted.

5.5 Residence

Minimum of a two-year residency period in the playing country within the last five (5) years.

This does not necessarily have to be a continuous period but a cumulative total period of two (2) years over the previous five (5) years.

For clarity the 5-year time-period is that immediately preceding the championship for which eligibility is being sought.

A UK passport is allowed for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland athletes, but documentation confirming that they also fulfill the country eligibility criteria will also be required.

WL recognizes that athletes from Northern Ireland may play for either GB or Ireland. In non-Olympic-related events (tournaments & qualifiers) Northern Irish athletes with a UK passport (i.e., for the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland") are allowed to use this passport as proof of eligibility to be a member of the Irish team, provided they also provide evidence of a direct connection (birth certificate of athlete, or of their parent or grandparent) to Northern Ireland.