What has been announced?

From 1 January 2027, Calisthenics Victoria (CaliVic) will become a State Associate Member of the Australian Calisthenic Federation (ACF).

State Associate Membership creates a formal relationship between CaliVic and the ACF, while allowing CaliVic to remain independent and continue governing and delivering calisthenics programs, competitions and pathways in Victoria.

The new relationship will also provide Victorian participants with greater access to ACF national competition opportunities, including the 2027 National Titles.

What does "State Associate Member" mean?

State Associate Membership is a recognised category of membership with the ACF and is separate from full Member State status.

Under this arrangement, CaliVic remains an independent organisation and continues to operate its own Victorian competitions, coaching, adjudicating and examining programs and pathways.

At the same time, State Associate Membership creates a formal connection with the ACF and provides opportunities for national competition and greater collaboration across the sport.

Is CaliVic a full member state?

No.

CaliVic will become a State Associate Member, which is a different membership category from full Member State membership.

The arrangement has been developed to enable CaliVic to retain its independence and Victorian programs while creating a formal relationship with the ACF and greater national opportunities for our community.

What is the difference between State Associate Membership and full Member State Status?

CaliVic remains independently incorporated and continues to govern calisthenics in Victoria.

CaliVic will continue to operate its own:

• competitions and programs
• coaching framework and CVCC
• adjudicating framework and CVA
• examination program and CaliExams
• examiner pathway and CVE.

CaliVic does not automatically adopt ACF programs or qualifications as a result of becoming a State Associate Member.

The two organisations will instead undertake a process to map their respective systems and explore opportunities for future alignment and mutual recognition where appropriate.

Does State Associate Membership change CaliVic’s independence?

No.

CaliVic remains an independent Victorian organisation and will continue to govern and administer calisthenics in Victoria.

State Associate Membership establishes a formal relationship with the ACF and creates opportunities for greater national collaboration, but it does not transfer the governance or operation of CaliVic to the ACF.

Will anything change for my club?

For the day-to-day operation of Victorian clubs, nothing changes.
Clubs will continue to affiliate with CaliVic and participate in CaliVic competitions, programs, education and development pathways as they currently do.

The major change is that State Associate Membership creates additional opportunities for Victorian participants to access national competition through the ACF.

Why is CaliVic joining the ACF again?

 CaliVic believes this new arrangement provides a strong pathway forward for Victorian calisthenics.

It allows us to retain the independence, programs and pathways we have developed in Victoria while reconnecting our community with national competition opportunities and creating greater opportunities to work collaboratively with the ACF and other states.

Importantly, this is a different membership model from CaliVic’s previous relationship with the ACF.

 Why now?

CaliVic and the ACF have been working towards an appropriate way forward for approximately two years.

Those discussions have resulted in the new State Associate Membership model, which both organisations believe provides an appropriate framework for CaliVic to retain its independence while reconnecting with the national calisthenics community.

With the 2027 National Titles approaching, both organisations believe the time is right to formalise the relationship.

Is this CaliVic "reaffiliating" with ACF?

Yes, although the new arrangement is different from CaliVic’s previous membership.

CaliVic is reconnecting with the ACF as a State Associate Member, rather than returning under its former membership structure.

The new model recognises CaliVic’s independence while providing opportunities for national participation and collaboration.

Why did CaliVic leave the ACF in the first place?

CaliVic made the decision to disaffiliate from the ACF from 2024 following an extended period in which the organisations held different views regarding a number of areas affecting the future direction of Victorian calisthenics.

Since that time, CaliVic and the ACF have undertaken significant discussions and negotiations to identify a model that recognises CaliVic’s independence while providing opportunities for greater national connection.

We are pleased those discussions have resulted in the new State Associate Membership arrangement and believe it provides a positive pathway forward for both organisations and the broader calisthenics community.

When does State Associate Membership commence?

CaliVic’s State Associate Membership commences on 1 January 2027.

Until then, existing arrangements remain in place.

Will my CaliVic registration fee change because of this new arrangement?

CaliVic is currently finalising its 2027 registration fees. State Associate Membership will be considered as part of the normal annual budgeting process, and full registration information will be provided to clubs and members before 2027 registrations open.

Do I need to become an individual member of the ACF?

No. Victorian participants will continue to register through their club and CaliVic in the usual way.

Any additional registration or entry requirements associated with specific ACF competitions will be communicated as part of the information for those events.

Will CaliVic compete at the 2027 National Titles?

Yes.

CaliVic will participate in the 2027 National Titles in Canberra from 5–10 July 2027 as part of the new State Associate Membership arrangement.

The detailed arrangements for Victorian participation, including eligibility, selection, competition format, categories, entries, costs and other event requirements are currently being finalised.

CaliVic will provide further information to members and clubs as these arrangements are confirmed.

When will we know more about Nationals?

We are working with the ACF to finalise the arrangements for Victorian participation in the 2027 National Titles.

CaliVic expects to provide members and clubs with further information in the coming weeks, including available events, eligibility and selection processes where applicable.

Does this change National competition entry fees for CaliVic participants?

From 1 January 2027, CaliVic participants will no longer be charged the non-member fee currently applied when participating in eligible ACF events, including events such as the Pan Pacific Masters Games and Australian Masters Games.

Individual competition entry fees and other event costs will still apply.

Will CaliVic participants, coaches and adjudicators use ACF's programs?

No.

CaliVic will continue to operate its own coaching, adjudicating and examining systems, including CVCC, CVA, CVE and CaliExams.

Becoming a State Associate Member does not automatically replace these programs with ACF programs.

Will my current CaliVic coaching or adjudicating qualification still be recognised?

Yes. CaliVic qualifications and accreditations continue to operate within the Victorian system.

The new membership arrangement does not invalidate or replace existing CaliVic coaching, adjudicating or examining qualifications.

How CaliVic and ACF qualifications may be recognised across the two systems in the future will form part of the mapping process.

What is the "mapping" process?

CaliVic and the ACF will undertake a process to compare and map their respective coaching, adjudicating and examining frameworks.

This work will identify areas of alignment and difference between the systems and help both organisations understand where opportunities for future alignment or mutual recognition may exist.

Any future recognition or alignment will be subject to the findings of that process and further consideration by both organisations.

The work will be undertaken with the assistance of an independent consultant and representation from both CaliVic and the ACF.

Will CaliVic competitions change?

CaliVic will continue to govern and deliver its Victorian competition program.

State Associate Membership does not transfer the management of Victorian competitions to the ACF.

Will CaliVic rules now become ACF rules?

No.

CaliVic will continue to operate its own Victorian competition rules and frameworks.

Participation in an ACF competition will be subject to the rules and eligibility requirements of that particular ACF event.

What does CaliVic see as the benefit of this new relationship? 

Who do I contact if my question isn’t answered here?