Via Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Past President, National Wrestling Media Association
USA Wrestling has launched its media accreditation application process for its national and regional events for the 2019-2020 season. Once again, this process will feature an online application system, which is now available for use.
Journalists will be able to request media credentials for one event, or for multiple events, on the USA Wrestling schedule, through an online form.
All journalists who wish to cover a USA Wrestling national or regional event 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, will need to take the Safe Sport training again. The U.S. Center for Safe Sport has created new 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 24 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). The U.S. Center for Safe Sport training includes watching an online video and taking short tests on the topics covered.
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.
Please note that there may be additional events added to the accreditation list as the season goes on. Also note, that although the U23 World Team Trials and the 16U National Duals say “Colorado Springs” on them, those events will be placed in a different city to be determined though the USA Wrestling bidding process.
Also, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling in University Park, Pa. is not on the event list. There will be a different process for signing up for credentials for the Olympic Trials. Instructions on how to apply for U.S. Olympic Team Trials credentials will be announced shortly.
Journalists seeking assistance in the application process can contact Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling at gabbott@usawrestling.org or call 719-659-9637 cell.
