In order to participate in matches and tournaments, each wrestler must have a USA Wrestling membership card. This year, the NYS USA Wrestling Organization is requiring that the age of each wrestler in national organization's database be verified. This is a one-time process step. Once your wrestler has had his/her age verified, this will not be required for future membership renewals.

The process for obtaining an Age-Verified Membership Card:

1. Establish a Membership Account (New, Renew)
2. Provide Age-Verification Information using snail mail or email
   • Send Proof of Age information to: New York State Wrestling Association, 2056 Washington Street,Merrick, NY 11566
   • Send an email containing a scanned copy of Proof of Age information and your USA Wrestling Membership Number to: Ed Gould, Chairman, NYS-USA Wrestling Association: chairman DOT ny_usaw AT yahoo DOT com

While I certainly appreciate the link you reference [information provided in this posting], I would like to point out that not everyone will be asked for age verification. If the age was in fact verified last year (2007-2008 season) the system will not give you the message that you must send in proof of birth. As time goes on, the only people that will be asked for proof will be first time members. Once the age is verified in the database, that person will not be asked for proof. Likewise, if the date entered is incorrect, that person will not be able to go in and change it themselves, but must request the change from the state. We will then require proof to show the correct date. There have been too many instances in the past where unscrupulous parents/coaches have given a wrong date to make a wrestler appear on the books as younger than he/she really is. This presents liability issues and this method of securing proof is our attempt to minimize such practices.

One final point that you may wish to share with members of your organization is that we don't control the tournaments in Section 1. If an organization wishes to require you to have a valid USA Wrestling membership to participate that is their prerogative. However, unless that event is actually sanctioned by USA Wrestling, USA Wrestling is not in any way liable for might take place at the event. Sanctioning an event with USA Wrestling provides both the club and the facility with the necessary liability insurance to ensure that they are protected in the event of a lawsuit. Unfortunately, we cannot control what people put on their flyers - we can only ask them to sanction the event.

I hope this clears up any questions or misconceptions that might be floating around out there.

Regards
Ed Gould
Chairman
NY-USA Wrestling