USA Wrestling has opened up the media accreditation process for most of the rest of its national and regional event schedule in the spring and summer of 2021.
There are 12 additional events now available for media applications between late April 2021 and July 2021, and includes competition at a number of age levels. Below is the list of recently opened events for media applications
April 23-25 - 2021 UWW Cadet, U15 & Futures Nationals in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
April 30-May 2 - 2021 UWW Junior and Senior Nationals, Coralville, Iowa
May 7-9 - 2021 USAW Women's Nationals: UWW U15, Cadet, Junior and U23 World Team Trials in Irving, Texas
May 13-15 - 2021 Western Regional Championships in North Logan, Utah
May 14-16 - 2021 Northern Plains Regional Championships in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
May 21-23 - 2021 Central Regional Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 4-6 - 2021 Southern Plains Regional Championships in Mulvane, Kansas
June 9-13- 2021 14U National Duals in Franklin, Indiana
June 9-13 - 2021 16U National Duals in Westfield, Indiana
June 15-19 - 2021 Junior National Duals in Tulsa, Oklahoma
June 24-26 - 2021 USA Wrestling Kids Nationals in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
July 16-23 - 2021 US Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota
Of special note is that the USMC Junior Nationals in Fargo will be celebrating its historic 50th event this year, something that has major significance in the wrestling community and will be a great story to cover.
Also note that a few additional events will be added to the schedule, with media accreditation opened at a later date, including the U23 Nationals and the Senior World Team Trials, events which have not yet finalized their locations. Please go into your USA Wrestling profile and check for additional events moving forward.
Please expect that due to COVID-19 mitigation plan for these events, there could be a limited number of journalists accredited in some circumstances. Please apply for the competition as early as possible, and understand that USA Wrestling may not be able to accommodate all of those who wish to attend.
In addition, again due to the ongoing pandemic, there may also be limited or no access to athletes for in-person interviews at some of these events. Information on virtual interview opportunities will be provided when appropriate.
How to apply for credentials online
All journalists who wish to cover the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling must comply with USA Wrestling’s Athlete Safety Media Policy, which requires journalists to pass USA Wrestling’s background check and complete the U.S. Center for Safe Sport online education. The background check and Safe Sport training is free of charge to approved journalists.
Most journalists, including those who have been accredited in the past, may need to take the Safe Sport training again. The U.S. Center for Safe Sport has created new refresher course materials, which are required even for those who have previously taken this training. Many others may have to take the background check again, as it only covers two seasons.
The media accreditation system is integrated with USA Wrestling’s membership system, which keeps a record of those who have passed the background check and have completed Safe Sport training. No journalist will be added to the media list of any USA Wrestling national or regional event until they have completed the Athlete Safety Media Policy procedures.
All journalists seeking credentials will need to have create an account at https://www.usawmembership.com
Once a journalist has signed into their existing account, or created a new account, they will be able to proceed with the media accreditation request process. Once in your account:
1) Go to the top of the website and click the “USAW Events” scrollbar
2) Scroll down and click “Media Credentials”
3) Click the button in the upper right corner entitled “Create Media Pool Request” or by clicking the “Manage Requests” button in your media request list.
Journalists will be asked to provide information including email, phone, state, media outlet, media outlet website and job function (which includes print journalist, print photographer, internet reporter, Non-Rights Holder Broadcast, Rights Holder Broadcast or Press Attache/SID).
At this time, journalists can click their request from a list of events. When the events are chosen, click Make Media Request.
Once a journalist has submitted their media request, the person can come back at any later time and request additional events as necessary by clicking the Manage Requests button in their media request list.
Journalists will receive an email with the status of their media request, and other instructions on the background check or Safe Sport training as necessary. (Please make sure to apply at least a week prior to an event, in order to allow enough time for the background check).
In order to get the free background check, a journalist must apply for an event credential first. Sign into your profile and request at least one event and the entire process will be initiated.
Any questions on the media accreditation process and media access at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling should be made to Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling Director of Communications, at gabbott@usawrestling.org or via cell phone at 719-659-9637
