How Digital Tools Can Help Your Wrestling Club Succeed

Social media and the Internet is introducing a whole new fan base to wrestling.

Robert Judd of Lebanon, Connecticut has three children who wrestle: Brandon (11), Alyssa (9) and Lucas (6). By sharing updates from their wrestling club’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, Robert and his wife have been able to keep family and friends updated on their children's wrestling journey.

"Our friends and family have been through the highs and lows, offering words of encouragement and congratulations, which always results in positive reaction from the children," says Judd. The couple has also used social media to dispel myths about girls competing in the sport of wrestling. Family and friends were perplexed when the Judd's "allowed" their daughter to compete in what was viewed as a "boys" sport, Robert recalls. But when his wife used Facebook to write a heartfelt post about teaching their daughter that gender will never prevent her from following her dreams or passions, it opened up people to learn more about wrestling and the positive impact it can have on a child no matter what gender.

"With that post, several people who initially had a negative view learned the positive qualities my daughter was learning and had a change of heart to the point where they want to come see her compete and offer encouragement for her to be the best she can be,” says Judd. 

The Judds are not alone. All across the country, digital savvy parents and programs are taking advantage of social networking and digital tools to connect, share news, information, photos and videos like never before. Via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and others, they’re able to use essentially free platforms to get their message out. They’re sending out weekly email newsletters via platforms like Constant Contact and using blogging software like Word Press to tell stories about their love of wrestling. They’re also tapping more complex technology and communication programs like TrackWrestling, a wrestling results, video, and event management system. Apps like MatBoss can integrate wrestling stats directly into recorded video for each match, completely replacing the need for labor-intensive pencil and paper scoring systems. And there are other communication tools like Remind.com, which allows coaches to send out one-way messages about practices, matches, etc. withoutcreating long, sometimes confusingemail chains.

"Whether it's a wrestling club, high school team, state association, or just passionate fans of wrestling, there are more ways than ever to use technology to develop an online presence to promote your team and try and grow the sport" says Richard Immel, Coordinator of Broadcasting, Social Media and Grassroots Marketing at USA Wrestling.

"People are craving more information and news than ever before," Immel points out. At USA Wrestling, it offers digital resources such as on-demand podcasts, training videos, highlight videos, and full matches of some of the biggest events in the world. "With social media and the growth of technology, we can provide this easier than ever before.”

James Kelly, director of the Eastern Iowa Wrestling Club, says this new way to reach out is vitally important. He uses his club web site and social media channels for promotion and recruitment. The club also posts articles, podcasts, tournament results and sells wrestling gear online through its site. All this effort has paid off, he says.

"A parent calls me and says, 'I saw your website' or 'I went to your website from a link I saw on Twitter or Facebook, and our family liked what we saw. Can you help me get my kid involved with your club?’" Kelly explains. "That kid's life, that kid's wrestling, is going to benefit now because his mom or dad saw something on social media about our club that sparked an interest.”

At the grassroots level, Immel recommends that local clubs and programs focus on building their local fan base through social media. Use it to promote the team and individuals, not only on the wrestling mat, but in the community too. Engage with people who comment on your Facebook posts. Respond to questions via Twitter. Welcome those who engage with your program into the wrestling family.

If a coach isn’t tech-savvy, Immel encourages them to reach out to parents or volunteers within the program to assist with social media and technology tasks. For example, one volunteer could be assigned to post pictures and updates via Facebook, while another could get trained to use TrackWrestling and assist at tournaments. There are a lot of tools out there, but you don’t have to use them all, he notes.

“There is never a perfect solution, but what's important is finding the perfect solution for you," says Immel. “What's great is you can tailor each experience to what you want to put out."

The Judds can attest to this. What people love to see, Robert says, are team photos, photos with medals or trophies won, links to tournament brackets, results, and team accomplishments, as well as news and updates about tournaments and upcoming events. 

These posts also provide tremendous drive for the children involved, he adds.  

"To show your child a post on social media and explain to them that it’s now able to be viewed by several thousand people, is a truly amazing feeling for them," says Robert Judd. "It fuels their thirst for success and for the sport."