Credentials For Media And Photographers

The WFTDA welcomes members of the media and photographers to cover the exciting, top-level competition at the International WFTDA Playoffs and Championships  and Continental Cups.

2019 Playoffs and Championships Locations

International WFTDA Playoffs

September 6-8 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA, Hosted by Greensboro Roller Derby

International WFTDA Playoffs

September 13-15 at the accesso Showare Center, Seattle, Washington, USA, Hosted by  Rat City Roller Derby

International WFTDA Championships

November 15-17 at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montréal, Québec, Canada, Hosted by Montréal Roller Derby

WFTDA Continental Cups

The WFTDA does not manage photography or media for the Continental Cups series, but is offering one contract at each event for photographers to shoot on behalf of the WFTDA. If you wish to apply for these contract positions please see the contract section below.

Any other photographers or media wishing to cover these events, please contact our hosts:

North America West Cup » August 9-11, 2019, Happy Valley Derby Darlins –  email hvddemterprise@gmail.com
North America East Cup » August 23–25, 2019, Dutchland Derby Rollers – email WFTDACup@DutchlandRollers.com
Europe Cup » October 5-6, 2019, Kallio Rolling Rainbow – email ville.paivatie@iki.fi


Media Coverage of Playoffs and Championships

Media outlets are directed to the WFTDA Media Credential Guidelines for details regarding tournament policies and an online application. At its discretion, the WFTDA will provide credentials to those applicants who are positioned to provide the best coverage of the event, giving priority to members of major media outlets (i.e. wire services, networks, cable, etc.). Media credential requests may be submitted at any time.

Read the WFTDA Media Credential Guidelines and Apply

Questions may be directed to credentials@wftda.com.

Who should apply for media credentials?

Media credentials may be granted to the following types of applicants:

  • Writers/photographers working on assignment from a media outlet
  • Writers/photographers pitching stories to media outlets
  • Videographers working with a team or media outlet

All photographers with media outlets should complete the media credential application.

Members of the media will receive complimentary entry for two staff. If there are additional members of the media on your crew who need entry to an event, please state that on your application and your request will be reviewed accordingly.

Read the WFTDA Media Credential Guidelines and Apply

Photographers

The WFTDA values the creative and professional work of photographers and seeks to create a respectful and positive environment for both amateur and professional photographers to shoot the top-level of women’s flat track roller derby.

We also take the image rights of our skaters, officials, volunteers, fans, and staff seriously. Skaters and officials may opt out of their photos from our WFTDA Playoffs and Championships being sold or used for commercial purposes in any capacity. A list of anyone opting out will be provided to all photographers on site.

The WFTDA welcomes photographers who respect our athletes, officials, volunteers, and staff; who elevate the sport with their artistic abilities; and who agree to abide by the WFTDA photography guidelines, the Tournament Code of Conduct and the values and mission of the WFTDA.

The WFTDA does not manage general photography for the Continental Cups series. However, the organization is opening contracts for one photographer to shoot photos of these events on behalf of the WFTDA. Please see below for details on this opportunity.

Please contact our hosts for more information on their photography application:

North America West Cup » August 9-11, 2019, Happy Valley Derby Darlins – email hvddemterprise@gmail.com
North America East Cup » August 23–25, 2019, Dutchland Derby Rollers – email WFTDACup@DutchlandRollers.com
Europe Cup » October 5-6, 2019, Kallio Rolling Rainbow – email ville.paivatie@iki.fi

Photographers may participate through the WFTDA in the following roles:

Contract Photography — The WFTDA has refined our contract positions for both amateur and professional photographers in 2019. Please see our contract section for details on how to apply for these positions:

  • Two* educational contracts for either of the Playoffs locations, and one at the 2019 International Championships
  • Two sponsorship contracts, one for the 2019 International Playoffs in Seattle, Washington and one at the 2019 International Championships
  • Three contract photographers to shoot game play on behalf of the WFTDA at the Continental Cups events (one per event)
  • Three contract photographers to shoot game play on behalf of the organization at WFTDA Playoffs and Championships (one per event)

*Denotes contract for EITHER of the Playoffs locations, not both.

The WFTDA provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, geography, age, disability or genetics. LGBTQ and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Media Photography — If you are on assignment for a story or shooting for the purpose of pitching a story, see above to apply for media credentials. The WFTDA does not manage media or photography for the Continental Cups series.

Team Photography — The WFTDA provides our participating member leagues in the Playoffs and Championships series one complimentary photography ticket and credentials for a photographer of their choosing. The WFTDA does not manage media or photography for the Continental Cups.

Sponsor/Commercial Photography — The WFTDA may provide commercial entities or event sponsors who would like a photographer on site to document their participation in the event a photography credential for access to shoot the event. Admission will be the responsibility of the company.

Contract Photography Roles

The WFTDA is looking to fill the following contract positions in 2019:

Event Date Contract(s) Available
WFTDA Continental Cup – North America West August 9-11
  • One (1) Game Play
WFTDA Continental Cup – North America East August 23–25
  • One (1) Game Play
WFTDA Continental Cup – Europe October 5-6
  • One (1) Game Play
International WFTDA Playoffs – Winston-Salem, North Carolina September 6-8
  • One (1) Game Play
  • One (1) WFTDA Educational*
International WFTDA Playoffs – Seattle, Washington September 13-15
  • One (1) Game Play
  • One (1) WFTDA Educational*
  • One (1) WFTDA Sponsorship
International WFTDA Championships – Montréal, Québec November 15-17
  • One (1) Game Play
  • One (1) WFTDA Educational
  • One (1) WFTDA Sponsorship

*Denotes contract for EITHER of the Playoffs locations, not both.

WFTDA Educational Contracts

(rules, officiating, safety, GTO, Risk Management, skating skills or other educational resources)

  • Playoffs/Championships 2019

The selected photographers will receive a stipend sum to be determined based on length of shoot at the events in the table above. Photographers will have a contract with the WFTDA that outlines the shoot schedule and will grant WFTDA exclusive rights to use these photos for educational and promotional purposes.

This is a separate contract from the Playoffs and Championships – Game Play contract, and may be required to also shoot select games at the event they are contracted at, to cover game play and act as a relief to the primary game play photographer.

Experience shooting for educational purposes is appreciated as well as an understanding of officiating, safety and game/tournament procedures. A keen eye and a great attitude are required.

WFTDA Sponsorship

(WFTDA Sponsors, fans, signage, at-event experience)

  • Playoffs/Championships 2019

The selected photographers will receive a stipend sum to be determined based on length of shoot at the events in the table above. Photographers will have a contract with the WFTDA that outlines the shoot schedule and will grant WFTDA exclusive rights to use these photos for sponsorship, marketing and promotional purposes.

This is a separate contract from the Playoffs and Championships – Game Play contract, and may be required to also shoot select games at the event they are contracted at, to cover game play and act as a relief to the primary game play photographer.

Experience shooting at-event experience is appreciated. A keen eye and a great attitude are required.

WFTDA Continental Cups – GAME PLAY

The selected photographers will receive US$250 for shift work over the course of the Continental Cups to capture game play. Games to cover will be pre-determined by the photographers and the WFTDA. Photos will be provided to the WFTDA during the event where possible, with the majority being provided post-event.

These photographers will have a contract with the WFTDA that outlines their roles, the estimated number of photos and will grant WFTDA exclusive rights to use these photos. Any other photos they take on site are the photographers’ own.

Playoffs and Championships – GAME PLAY

The selected contract photographers will receive $400 USD for three days of scheduled photography work focusing exclusively on game play, and will provide the WFTDA photos for use during the tournaments and post-event.

These photographers will have a contract with the WFTDA that outlines their roles, schedule and the estimated numbers of photos and rights-to-use of photos granted to the WFTDA.

The WFTDA will be looking for the contract photographers to provide the following:

  • Leadership on site to Team Photographers and assisting the Marketing Lead and Tournaments Manager with any photography or media related questions or issues
  • Delivery of photos including but not limited to:
    • Game Shots: At least 10 pictures per game you are scheduled to shoot
    • Dailies: Any other shots that are requested that day
    • Within a week: Gameplay photos, vendor photos, cheer photos or anything else from the WFTDA shot list (We assume at least 25-150/day from all other photos from the event)
    • Approximate total photos for the three day event: 60 game shots, 60 dailies, 200 others = 320 photos (This number is approximate and can be discussed with the contractors)

How to Apply for Contract Positions

Photographers interested in working with the WFTDA are asked to apply to join our Contract Photography Pool (CPP).

The pool does not guarantee that you will receive a contract. However, contracts will be released to the CPP, giving these photographers first opportunity to apply for each one.

The contract pool will generally only be open once a year, but if there are not enough people in the pool for a specific location, the WFTDA will do public outreach.

Please click here for more information on the Contract Photography Pool and how to apply.

Anyone interested in any of the above WFTDA contracts must be in the Contract Photography Pool by July 23, 2019.

Contract release and review dates:

  • Education contracts will be open on an ongoing basis.
  • Continental Cup and WFTDA Playoffs specific contracts will be open until July 23, 2019.
  • Selected photographers will be contacted on July 26, 2019.
  • WFTDA Championships are due by August 30, 2019, and contractors for Championships will be notified by September 9, 2019.

Team Photography Role

Team Photographers are at the discretion of the Participating Team. Each Participating Team will receive one complimentary ticket for a Team Photographer.

Teams may decide whether they would like to bring a photographer to the event, but no more than one photographer will be admitted per team.

Team Photographers will retain their photo passes all weekend, and are able to shoot their team while they are on site at the venue at the discretion of the team, and subject to all WFTDA guidelines around shooting. Team Photographers will only be allowed to shoot trackside during their team’s scheduled games.

It will be the responsibility of the Participating Team to provide one name and one email address for their Team Photographer. The WFTDA will email all participating teams with the process for submitting their photographer.

Prior to the event, Team Photographers must review and agree to the digital terms and conditions of their participation, which include guidelines they must follow during the event. Team Photographers are only allowed trackside during their team’s game and warmups. They may shoot from the stands or any other public areas in the venue during the remainder of the event. Team Photographers are only allowed in backstage or “behind the scenes” areas with their team and at the discretion of their team.

Note: It is the responsibility of the team to communicate who their Team Photographer is directly to the WFTDA. The WFTDA will not be taking applications for team photographers nor contacting teams on the photographers’ behalf. Please contact the participating team you wish to shoot for to apply for their complimentary ticket.

Sponsorship/Commercial Entities

The WFTDA allows photographers/videographers with sponsors or other commercial entities to shoot the sport at WFTDA Playoffs and Championships. If you wish to shoot a Continental Cup please speak to the Cup’s hosts.

If you are a sponsor of the WFTDA, please reach out to your sponsorship contact directly, or email sponsorship@wftda.com to request credentials for your photographer/videographer for approval, at least five weeks before the event date. Please include their full name and email address and a detailed description of what you intend to shoot on site. Failure to follow this and the deadlines above will result in no credentials being extended on site. You are responsible for your photographers/videographers entry to the event.

If you are on site to shoot specific skaters or teams due to a direct partnership with them, you must present the WFTDA with copies of any signed contracts that outline your right to use photos/videos between you and any of our participating member-skaters or officials. The WFTDA reserves the right to contact these contractees to confirm their approval.

If you are a commercial entity looking to shoot photos or video of the event, such as a company looking for photos for a print ad, social campaign or any other opportunity along these lines, please contact the WFTDA’s Photography department directly at photography@wftda.com. Please include the company, what you are shooting for, how many people you are sending, and any other relevant information on the use of the photos.

All Sponsors/Commercial entities shooting at WFTDA tournaments MUST be approved in advance by the WFTDA.

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