NABBA Rules & Definitions
NABBA CONTEST RULES
1. All competitors (both male and female) shall be NABBA members. It is the organiser’s
responsibility to ensure that memberships are valid. A closing date for entries of one
week prior to the contest date is suggested, so that any doubtful memberships may be
checked with NABBA HQ. Non-members may be allowed (at the discretion of the
organiser) to join on the day of the contest on payment of membership fee to contest
organiser. Membership card will be sent to the competitor on receipt of membership fee
to NABBA HQ. Any organiser allowing non-members to enter without charging
competitor(s) membership fee will be invoiced by NABBA for said fee(s). Organiser will
furnish NABBA HQ with all entry forms within seven days after the contest date.
2. Judging shall be in three phases:
(a) Front, back and side in line up. (b) Individual posing routine, not to exceed 45
seconds (may be anything from 45 seconds and up to 60 seconds max at NABBA
provincial Competitions depending on number of Competitors) (c) Standard comparison
poses.
3. Competitors own music may be used at the judging and/or show at the discretion of
the contest organiser. Organiser shall provide suitable music for competitors not
providing their own. Organiser must provide adequate changing facilities and suitable
lighting for physique presentation.
4. Competitors may enter only one contest per show. Unless an OPEN contest is run in
conjunction with an area local contest.
5. In the case of a large number of entries, finalists may be selected at the judging to
appear at the show. This should be stated on the entry form.
6. At the discretion of the contest organiser tanning colour may be used.
7. Any competitor acting in an unsportsmanlike manner must be reported to NABBA HQ
and may be liable to disciplinary action. If considered serious he/she may be disqualified
from contest by judges present.
8. Contest organiser may specify age limits for Junior and Master contests, which must
be made known to competitors in advance. It is the organiser’s responsibility to check
birth certificates if necessary.
9. Only NABBA approved judges shall officiate. Organiser must invite judges well in
advance and submit names of proposed judges to NABBA HQ.
Rules apply to MALE and FEMALE competitors unless otherwise stated. All contests are for AMATEURS unless otherwise stated. An amateur is one who has not competed for a money prize.
Special Notes regarding NABBA provincial contests:
1. No competitor may enter more than one province contest. This must be the area in
which he/she normally resides. In extenuating circumstances competitors may seek
written permission to enter ‘out of area’.
2. Juniors must be 20 or under on the 1st of January in the year they wish to compete
in.
3. Seniors must be over 45/55 on the date of their provincia contest.
4. Novices must not have been previously placed in the first three in any AREA novice
contest or have won ANY OPEN contest.
5. A first timer must not have competed before.
6. Any event with less than two competitors shall be deemed a ‘No-Contest’ and winning
participants will not be invited to the SA champs Finals unless considered to be of high
enough standard by the judges present.
7. Winners of MASTERS/OVER 55's Area contests will only be invited to compete in SA
champs Finals if considered to be of high enough standard by the judges present
8. For Provinces contests a majority of judges, if possible, should be from other NABBA
provincia.
Amendments to rules governing NABBA Area Contests from 24.02.2014
1. Organiser may run a Novice and/or Beginners' contest at his discretion. This will not
however automatically qualify the winner to compete in the SA champs Final.
2. Height Classes: the MR contest will be divided into four height classes (02.07.2000):
Class 4 Up to and including 1.65m
Class 3 Over 1.65 and up to and including 1.72m
Class 2 Over 1.72 and up to and including 1.79m
Class 1 Over 1.79m
As of 2017, the Universe will NOT have height classes for Miss Trained Figure, in line
with Area shows and the Britain Finals.
3. The Winner of each height class will qualify to compete in the appropriate height class
at the SA champs Finals if considered to be of high enough standard by the judges
present.
4. Winners of the Area Mr height classes will pose-down to select overall Mr Area
Winner.
5. Winners of SA champs Final Mr height classes will pose-down to select Overall Mr.
SA champs.
GENERAL CONTEST RULES (NON provincial)
1. Organisers may run Novice and/or Beginners' contests at their own discretion.
2. The MR class may be divided into four height classes at the organiser's discretion.
3. Item 4 & 5 of previous Area contest rules will apply to any Novice contest; i.e. Novices
must not have previously been placed in the top 3 in a NABBA Area novice contest, or
have won ANY OPEN contest. A First-Timer must not have competed before.
COMPETITIONS, QUALIFYING, AWARDS
The Provinces Shows act as qualifiers and lead up to the Mr, Miss, Junior, Masters,
Novice, and Fitness categories SA champs Finals which is held annually.
Those placing in the top six of each class at the SA champs Finals are invited to
compete in the NABBA Universe Contest of that year. Anyone placing either 1st or 2nd
at the Universe will have an invitation to the following year's Universe. (Bye)
(Those placing in the top three of each class will qualify to compete in the NABBA
Universe Contest if considered to be of high enough standard by the judges present)
The NABBA Council will discuss and agree on a renewed annual basis, selected
Universe Winners to be invited to the next Annual World Championship, which NABBA
recognises.
NABBA AFFILIATION / ENTRY FEES
All NABBA Competitors will be required to pay a R150 entry fee and also hold a valid
yearly Affiliation when entering any NABBA Competition. NOTE: the R150 entry fee will
be payable at check in.
Annual Affiliation fee = R200
DEFINITION OF AN ASSOCIATE
An Associate is one whose wish is to support NABBA but who through status is not eligible to enter competitions with amateurs.
NOVICE COMPETITORS
The judging rules for this are exact same at open Toned Figure – the criteria in terms of
experience is same as in men’s Novice class.
“Novices male or female must not have been previously placed in the first three in any
AREA novice contest or have won ANY OPEN contest.”