About us
Hungarian Pole and Aerial Sports Federation – The Official Hungarian Representative of the IPSF
The Hungarian Pole and Aerial Sports Federation (HPASF) is the official national governing body for pole sports and aerial sports in Hungary. The Federation is dedicated to the development and promotion of these disciplines and serves as the official Hungarian representative of the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF). As the exclusive IPSF member and partner in Hungary, the HPASF is responsible for representing the IPSF and its standards at the national level.
The Federation is the successor to the Hungarian Pole Sports Federation, which was the first organization to host official IPSF competitions in Hungary. In 2023, a committed community of professionals and athletes revitalized the organization, establishing the renewed Hungarian Pole and Aerial Sports Federation with the mission of further advancing the sport and supporting its continued growth across the country.
Our Mission
Our mission is to increase the recognition and development of pole sports and aerial sports in Hungary, raise public awareness of these disciplines, and provide athletes with professional, internationally recognized competitive opportunities—from grassroots and youth development through to elite-level competition.
What We Offer
Organization of official IPSF competitions in Hungary
Internationally qualified judging panels and an objective scoring system
Clear athlete development pathways from national competitions to the World Championships
A safe, inclusive, and ethical sporting environment
Organization of official IPSF competitions in Hungary
Internationally qualified judging panels and an objective scoring system
Clear athlete development pathways from national competitions to the World Championships
A safe, inclusive, and ethical sporting environment
Our Vision
We believe that both pole sports and aerial sports have the potential to achieve the highest level of international sporting recognition, including future Olympic participation. We are committed to playing an active role in this journey by working closely with athletes, coaches, clubs, and sports organizations throughout Hungary.
IPSF – International Pole and Aerial Sports Federation
The International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) was founded in 2009 by Tim Trautman and Katie Coates with the mission of bringing together athletes, coaches, judges, and enthusiasts from around the world under a unified international governing body.
The concept of Pole Sports dates back to 2006, following the rapid growth of pole fitness after 2000 and the increasing popularity of pole dance competitions. At the time, competitions lacked standardized judging criteria and scoring systems, making it difficult to fairly recognize athletes who demonstrated superior technical and artistic performance. Rules varied significantly, and judges had little guidance on how routines should be evaluated.
In 2006, Katie Coates conducted a global survey asking whether the pole community believed Pole Sports should become an Olympic sport. More than 10,000 people voted in support of the idea. In 2008, Tim Trautman (USA) joined forces with Katie Coates to establish the International Pole Sports Federation. Together, they introduced the term "Pole Sports," helping transform pole from a recreational and fitness activity into a recognized international competitive sport.
National federations were soon established around the world, and national teams began to emerge. The first Pole Sports World Championships took place in 2012, featuring 43 athletes from 14 countries, including just five male competitors. In 2013, the Youth Division was introduced with only seven athletes. Within five years, youth participation had grown by more than 80%, and by 2017, a total of 229 athletes from 36 countries competed at the Pole Sports World Championships.
By mid-2011, an estimated 95% of Pole Sports athletes were female, prompting feedback from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that greater gender balance would be essential for future recognition. In response, the IPSF actively expanded opportunities for male athletes. In 2017, the Junior Boys and Novice Men's divisions were introduced for the first time, resulting in an increase of more than 70% in male participation.
In 2014, the IPSF began discussions with the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) regarding the application process for international recognition. This marked the beginning of the Federation's journey toward official recognition, with the IPSF aligning its governance, policies, and sporting framework with the standards and requirements of both the GAISF and the IOC, while expanding its network to 25 national member federations.