FAQ · Women's Ninja Association
Questions? We've got answers.
Who WNA is, who can compete, the age divisions, how to register, how scoring and Finals qualifying work, and how to host or support WNA.
- 23 answers
- 8 divisions
- 6 competitions coming up
About
4 questions
What is the Women's Ninja Association (WNA)?
The Women's Ninja Association (WNA) is a female-only ninja league. Each season it runs qualifier competitions at host ninja gyms around the United States and a Championship Finals, with divisions for girls and women from age 6 through Masters (40+).
WNA's mission is to provide a platform where female athletes can compete at the highest levels of ninja, in a safe space in a mostly male sport, on courses designed around women's strengths. Read more about WNA.
Who founded the Women's Ninja Association?
Megan Budway, “The Music Ninja”, founded WNA. She is a five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor and World Ninja League's 2021 Adult Female World Champion. While working at Obstacle Ninja Academy, she created Ninja Femme, the first-ever female-only ninja competition, which grew into WNA.
WNA's Course Director is Jennifer Sanders, a five-time American Ninja Warrior, World Ninja League's 2024 Coach of the Year and Site Manager at Movement Lab Ohio.
How did WNA start?
WNA grew out of Ninja Femme, the first female-only ninja competition, which Megan Budway created at Obstacle Ninja Academy. The Women's Ninja Association was introduced in 2024. Season 1 (2025–26) had four qualifiers, at Ascend, Warrior Tech, Dexterity Depot and Crescent City, and the Championship Finals at Motus Ninjas in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on March 28–29, 2026. Season 2 (2026–27) has five qualifiers around the country and the Finals at Dexterity Depot in April 2027.
Is WNA part of the World Ninja League or another league?
No. WNA operates independently and is not affiliated with any other ninja league, so a division in another league does not affect an athlete's WNA division. WNA has worked with other organizations on special events, such as a Straight to Worlds Special Qualifier for women and girls with the World Ninja League at Movement Lab Ohio in April 2025, and the Barbados Ninja Throwdown, a Season 2 special qualifier.
Competing
3 questions
What are the WNA age divisions?
WNA has 8 divisions:
- Kids: ages 6–8
- Mature Kids: ages 9–10
- Preteens: ages 11–12
- Teens: ages 13–14
- Young Adult: ages 15–17
- Adult: ages 18–39
- Masters: ages 40+
- Elite: ages 13+, optional
Age is as of January 1, 2027. Elite is optional for athletes 13 and older, in place of their age division.
Who can compete in WNA competitions?
WNA competitions are open to athletes who were born female, from age 6 through Masters (40+). Courses are designed to challenge experienced athletes and stay approachable for newer ones. Athletes 13 and older may choose the optional Elite division in place of their age division. See the rules for details.
Are there girls-only ninja competitions for kids?
Yes. Every WNA competition is female-only, with divisions for girls from age 6: Kids (6–8), Mature Kids (9–10), Preteens (11–12), Teens (13–14) and Young Adult (15–17). A parent or guardian registers a child on the host gym's website, and every athlete needs a signed waiver with the host gym before competing. See Events for the season's competitions.
Events and registration
5 questions
When and where are the WNA Season 2 competitions?
WNA's Season 2 (2026–27) schedule:
- Qualifier at Vitality Obstacle Fitness, MA: Fri–Sat, Nov 13–14, 2026
- Qualifier at Motus Ninjas, MO: Sat–Sun, Dec 19–20, 2026
- Qualifier at The LAB, AZ: Fri–Sat, Jan 22–23, 2027
- Qualifier at NYX Training Center, Woodstock, GA: Sat–Sun, Feb 20–21, 2027
- Qualifier at MLab (Movement Lab Ohio), OH: Sat–Sun, Mar 13–14, 2027
- Championship Finals at Dexterity Depot, PA: Fri–Sun, Apr 16–18, 2027
Each competition is registered on the host gym's website: see Events.
When is the next WNA competition?
The next WNA competition is a qualifier at Vitality Obstacle Fitness, MA, Fri–Sat, Nov 13–14, 2026. Register on the host gym's website from Events.
How do I register for a WNA competition?
Each WNA competition is registered on the host gym's own website. Open Events, pick the competition and press Register. Every athlete also needs a signed waiver with the host gym before competing, and is asked to fill in the athlete bio so the announcers can share their story.
What is the WNA athlete bio?
The athlete bio is a short form an athlete (or a parent, for athletes under 18) fills in before competing: home gym, age, years training and their story. The announcers share it during the athlete's runs, and it creates the athlete's WNA profile with their results. It can be updated any time by signing in with the email used (WNA emails a code, no password).
Can I watch WNA competitions online?
Yes. Every Season 1 session was streamed live on WNA's YouTube channel, youtube.com/@WomensNinjaAssociation, where the replays are, and the Photos page has videos and pictures. Follow WNA on YouTube and Instagram (@womensninjaassociation) for Season 2.
Rules and scoring
5 questions
How does scoring work at a WNA qualifier?
Each athlete runs two courses. On the Speed Course they get one timed run; on the Tech Course they get up to three attempts per obstacle, with the clock paused during resets. On both, athletes are ranked by the furthest obstacle completed, then the fastest time.
The places on both courses are added up and the lowest total wins: 1st on Speed plus 3rd on Tech is 4 points. Ties go to the better Tech Course place. Read the rules or the full rulebook.
How do athletes qualify for the WNA Championship Finals?
The top three in each division at each qualifier earn a spot at the Championship Finals. In Season 2 the top female in each division at the Barbados Ninja Throwdown 2026 also earned a spot. If an athlete has already qualified, the spot rolls down to the next eligible athlete until every spot is filled. WNA may cap or adjust Finals field sizes to keep the event on schedule.
How do the WNA Championship Finals work?
Every qualified athlete runs the Speed and Tech Courses, in the same format as the qualifiers. The top eight in each division then run the Endurance Course: one attempt per obstacle with an extended time limit for rest and strategy, where a fail ends the run. Places on all three courses are added up and the lowest total wins (1st + 2nd + 3rd = 6); ties go to the better Endurance Course place.
How are WNA courses designed for female athletes?
Host gyms design their WNA courses together with WNA, and every design is approved by Course Director Jennifer Sanders. Courses emphasize technical skill, control and efficiency, use diverse grip types and movement patterns, avoid relying on maximum reach or span, and challenge experienced athletes while staying approachable for newer ones.
Who judges WNA competitions?
Judges have final authority on every completion and fail, and the Course Director is the lead judge at every event. Sportsmanship and respect toward competitors, staff and spectators are expected; WNA's Code of Conduct covers athletes, coaches, parents and spectators, in person and online.
Results and athletes
2 questions
Where can I find WNA results?
Every division's results are on the Results page, with each athlete's place on the Speed and Tech Courses. Athletes with results have their own profile page, which can be found with the Search button.
Can a parent hide a child's name in the WNA results?
Yes. A parent or guardian can ask WNA to show a child as a first name and last initial, or to take the name off the website entirely. Adult athletes can ask for themselves.
Host, sponsor or support
3 questions
How can my gym host a WNA competition?
Host gyms design their course together with WNA, and WNA's Course Director approves it. Every event is scored on NinjaWorks, and gyms are encouraged to provide at least one female course demonstrator. Tell us about your gym to host an all-women's event.
How can a business sponsor WNA?
Sponsors put their brand behind female ninja athletes at WNA's qualifiers and Finals. See the season's sponsors, and get in touch to become one.
Shop
1 question
What is WNA's return policy?
Unused items can be returned within 30 days of purchase. The Returns page explains how refunds are paid, sale items, exchanges, gifts and return shipping.
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