USA Weightlifting

Starting a Club

What are the requirements to start a new USAW Club?: To start a new USAW club the president, coach, club representative or any person wishing to be involved with the USAW club must be current USAW members. Also, all participating members in the club need to be USAW members in order to lift at USAW sanctioned events.
What are the steps to becoming a club?: Fill out the Club Application Form; Send the Club Application Form and your club fee to your LWC president; If approved, the LWC president will sign off and send the application to USAW for registration.; Once registered with USAW, the club president will be notified that you are now an official USAW Club; Club renewals can be done online after your initial sign up.
How long does the process take once I’ve turned in my USAW club application?: Once you’ve sent your Club Application Form to your USAW LWC president and they've sent it to the USAW National Office, please allow up to four weeks for processing.
Do you have to be a USAW certified coach to start a club?: No, you do not need to be a USAW certified coach to start a club. It is highly suggested, but not required.

Is there a waiting period before I can host meet at my USAW club?: There is no waiting period before you can host an event once you're an official USAW club. It is advised that you consult your LWC president on how to effectively run a USAW sanctioned weightlifting meet.
What type of insurance do I get as a USAW club owner? What exactly does it cover?: Click here to see an overview of the General Liability Insurance that USAW clubs receive.; Reminder: All USAW athletes are covered under Sport Accident Insurance.
Do all the athletes in my gym need to be members to receive the benefits of my USAW club insurance when lifting with me?: Yes, only athletes who are USAW members will be protected under a club’s insurance and also their own Sport Accident Insurance that they receive upon registering with USAW. The General Liability Insurance is primarily for the club’s use, not the athlete’s.
Is there paper work that I need to send in to USAW or the insurance company to make sure I am covered?
: No, your club will automatically be covered once it has been registered with USAW.

What are the benefits of competing as a USAW club at national events versus sending athletes to lift with either a coach or unattached?: When your athletes register and compete as a team at a national event, they can qualify for team points and receive team awards for that specific event.
Are there any discounts or benefits as a USAW club owner?: Yes, as a USAW club owner you receive all the benefits listed here which include: general liability insurance, USAW coaching course hosting rebates, USAW patches and stickers, and growth incentives.

How do I change my club affiliation or add one to my member account?: Currently connect to a club and want to change - please fill out the Change, Delete, Transfer Form and send it in to USAW by mail, email or fax.; Unattached member and want to attach - please send an email to USAW with your member number and name of the club (with the club #) you'd like to be attached to.
Can I be attached to one club but own a different club?: Yes, you can be an "athlete" and attached to one club and still be the owner of another club.

How do I renew my club membership?: The club representative can log on to their membership page and click on the club tab to renew the club membership.