OTTAWA RAPID FC MEDIA POLICY

Thank you for your interest in covering Ottawa Rapid FC. Media coverage plays an essential role in growing the game, elevating the stories of our athletes, and helping build the profile of professional women’s soccer in Ottawa and across Canada.

As part of the Northern Super League, Ottawa Rapid FC is committed to working collaboratively with media to support thoughtful, professional, and accessible coverage of our club, our players, our staff, and the communities we represent.

To help ensure match days, training sessions, and club events run smoothly, we ask all media members to review and follow the guidelines outlined below. These policies are designed to support a safe, respectful, and professional working environment for media, athletes, staff, supporters, and venue personnel.

For questions, media inquiries, or credential requests, please contact the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team at pr@rapidfc.ca

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

Media Code of Conduct

Media credentials and access will be granted only to individuals with a legitimate working function at a match, training session, or league-sanctioned event. Credentials are issued for professional, editorial use only and are non-transferable. They may not be shared, resold, loaned, or used for personal purposes.

Unauthorized use of credentials may result in removal from the venue, suspension of access, or permanent revocation of credentials.

The following actions may result in ejection, credential seizure, suspension, or revocation:

  • Requesting autographs
  • Taking personal photos with players, coaches, or staff
  • Using credentials to provide access to friends, family, guests, or other unauthorized individuals
  • Conducting unauthorized interviews
  • Entering restricted or non-media areas without approval
  • Cheering, celebrating, or making loud noises in working media areas
  • Consuming alcohol while working in media areas
  • Disregarding venue, club, league, or security instructions
  • Posting photos of media credentials on social media
  • Any behaviour deemed unprofessional, unsafe, disruptive, or inconsistent with the purpose of media access

Credential holders are expected to always conduct themselves professionally and to respect players, coaches, staff, officials, supporters, volunteers, and fellow media members.

Professional Use of Information

Information provided to media for planning purposes, including schedules, availability notes, team logistics, player status updates, or embargoed material, may not be published or shared publicly unless explicitly authorized by Ottawa Rapid FC or the Northern Super League.

Media members must respect all embargoes, off-the-record briefings, background information, and other stated conditions of access.

Media Attire

Credentialed media are expected to dress professionally and appropriately for the working environment. Media members must not wear apparel representing opposing clubs, other professional clubs, leagues, or national teams while working in credentialed media areas.

Failure to comply may result in restricted access or revocation of credentials.

CREDENTIALS: ACCESS AND APPLICATION

Single-Match Credentials

Single-match credentials provide media access to an individual Ottawa Rapid FC home match. These credentials are intended for outlets or journalists covering select matches, working on specific assignments, or producing professional editorial coverage.

Applications must be submitted no later than 72 hours before kickoff. Approved applicants will receive confirmation at least 48 hours before the match, where possible.

Credential requests are intended for media outlets and working journalists requiring matchday press box, mixed-zone, press conference, or field-level photographer access for the purpose of producing editorial coverage. This includes reporters, photographers, videographers, producers, and verified digital publications that consistently produce professional content aligned with recognized journalistic standards.

Press box space, field access, and media credentials are limited. Priority will be given to:

  • Full-season credential holders
  • Media working on deadline
  • Rights holders and league-approved partners
  • Accredited outlets with consistent sports, soccer, community, or news coverage
  • Journalists or photographers on confirmed assignment

Applications from freelance writers, photographers, videographers, podcasters, newsletter writers, and independent digital creators will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure there is a clear professional or editorial purpose.

Ottawa Rapid FC does not issue credentials to individuals or outlets for the purpose of creating personal social media content without a broader editorial, journalistic, or professional coverage purpose.

Full-Season Credentials

Full-season credentials may be issued to media members who are expected to cover Ottawa Rapid FC on a regular basis throughout the season.

Full-season credential holders may still be required to RSVP ahead of each match to confirm attendance and ensure appropriate seating, workspace, and field access planning.

A full-season credential does not guarantee access to every match, training session, media availability, or club event. Access remains subject to RSVP confirmation, space limitations, venue requirements, league policies, broadcast obligations, and club approval.

Ottawa Rapid FC reserves the right to suspend or revoke full-season credentials if a credential holder repeatedly fails to attend confirmed matches, does not provide advance notice of absences, or does not comply with club, league, or venue policies.

Credential Replacement

Lost credentials must be reported immediately to the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team pr@rapidfc.ca.

Replacement credentials may be issued at the club’s discretion. A replacement fee may apply.

PHOTOGRAPHER AND CAMERA ACCESS

Eligibility and Access

Photographer access is limited and subject to approval. Sideline and field-level access is reserved for photographers with a professional working purpose and appropriate equipment.

Full-season photographer credentials may be granted to photographers officially assigned by accredited media outlets or approved by Ottawa Rapid FC for regular club coverage.

Single-match photographer credentials may be considered for freelancers, independent photographers, and portfolio-development applicants where there is a clear professional, editorial, or publication purpose. Priority will be given to photographers on assignment for accredited outlets.

All photographers may be asked to provide proof of assignment, outlet affiliation, publication plan, or professional portfolio.

Sideline Space Limits

Sideline space is limited. Ottawa Rapid FC may set a maximum number of photographers for each match based on venue configuration, broadcast requirements, league policy, safety considerations, and operational needs.

Once capacity is reached, additional applicants may be denied or placed on a waitlist.

Photographer Requirements

Approved photographers must:

  • Check in at the designated media entrance
  • Wear their media credential visibly at all times
  • Wear a club-issued field bib while in field-level areas
  • Remain in approved photographer zones
  • Follow all instructions from club, league, venue, broadcast, and security staff
  • Return field bibs at the end of the match

Photographers must stay within marked zones and may not move behind goals, benches, technical areas, broadcast positions, or restricted zones during match play unless expressly authorized.

Movement from one end of the field to the other is permitted only at halftime, unless otherwise directed by club or venue staff.

Equipment

Professional-grade camera equipment is required for field-level photographer access.

One monopod per photographer is permitted. Tripods are not permitted unless specifically approved in advance.

Mobile phones, tablets, and point-and-shoot cameras are not permitted for field-level match photography unless authorized by Ottawa Rapid FC.

Unauthorized filming, photography, or use of equipment may result in removal from the field and loss of future access.

FACILITIES AND MATCHDAY ACCESS

Media Check-In

All media must check in at the designated media entrance at TD Place Door C, OSEG Administration. Upon arrival, media members must provide their full name and media outlet to stadium security or club staff.

Approved media will receive a credential, which must be worn and visible at all times while inside the venue.

Media check-in will open two hours before kickoff unless otherwise noted. Media work areas, including the press box, photo workroom, and press conference room, will open at that time.

Credentials are non-transferable.

Photographers will receive field bibs at media check-in. Bibs must be worn at all times while on the field and returned after the match.

Parking

Parking at TD Place may be available for a fee and is subject to availability. Ottawa Rapid FC does not guarantee media parking unless specifically confirmed in advance.

Media are encouraged to arrive early and consider public transit, rideshare, cycling, or other transportation options where available.

PRESS BOX, MEDIA SEATING, AND WORK AREAS

Credentialed media will have access to designated media work areas, including the press box and/or media workroom, subject to venue configuration and space availability.

Press box seating is limited and may be assigned in advance. Media members must sit in their assigned seats where a seating chart is provided.

Only working media are permitted in media-designated areas. Player agents, guests, family members, VIPs, supporters, and non-working individuals are not permitted in the press box, media workroom, mixed zone, or press conference areas unless expressly authorized.

Cheering, celebrating, coaching, loud reactions, or other disruptive behaviour is not permitted in working media areas.

DIGITAL, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND FOOTAGE USE

Credentialed media may use social media as part of their professional coverage, provided such use complies with Ottawa Rapid FC, Northern Super League, venue, and broadcast policies.

Media may not use credentials primarily for personal social media content, influencer content, fan content, or non-editorial purposes.

Match Footage and Rights

All match footage is owned or controlled by the Northern Super League and its broadcast partners.

Non-rights holders may use up to two minutes of match footage for news programming within one week of the match, subject to Northern Super League policy and any applicable broadcast restrictions.

Filming full match action for digital, social, commercial, or non-news use is prohibited without prior league approval.

Restricted Content

Media may not film, photograph, livestream, or record in restricted areas, including locker rooms, medical areas, family areas, team-only areas, tunnels, private staff spaces, or other non-media zones unless expressly authorized.

Training footage, behind-the-scenes content, and pre-match or post-match content may be subject to additional restrictions. Ottawa Rapid FC will communicate any such restrictions in advance where possible.

MEDIA ACCESS TO TRAINING SESSIONS

A weekly training schedule may be shared with approved media by email.

Unless otherwise specified, Ottawa Rapid FC may provide a 15-minute open window for filming and photography at the start of selected training sessions.

Training access is subject to RSVP and confirmation by the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team. Media may not attend training without prior approval.

Players or coaches may be made available to media following selected training sessions, subject to club approval and schedule constraints.

Media must follow all instructions regarding filming limits, interview locations, arrival times, departure times, and areas of access.

MATCHDAY MINUS ONE AND MINUS TWO ACCESS

In accordance with Northern Super League media access policies, Ottawa Rapid FC may provide media access on the one or two days before a match.

This may include:

  • A 15-minute media window for observation, filming, and photography
  • A pre-match press conference or media availability
  • Access to the head coach and select players, subject to availability

All access is subject to RSVP, confirmation, and club approval.

MATCHDAY AND POST-MATCH PROCEDURES

Post-Match Media Access

Post-match press conferences and media availabilities will take place in designated media areas.

Visiting team availability will generally begin approximately 10 minutes after the final whistle, followed by Ottawa Rapid FC availability, unless otherwise communicated.

Players available for interviews will be confirmed before the end of the match where possible.

Media must remain in approved areas and follow all post-match movement instructions from club, league, venue, and security staff.

Mixed Zone

Where a mixed zone is available, access will be limited to credentialed media approved for post-match interviews.

Media may not stop players, coaches, or staff outside designated interview areas unless approved by the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team.

INTERVIEW ACCESS

Player Interviews

Select players may be available for scrum interviews at designated times during the week, subject to team schedule and club approval.

One-on-one interview requests must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance and are subject to player availability, club approval, training schedules, travel demands, and other operational considerations.

Coach Interviews

The head coach and assistant coaches may be available during designated media windows noted in the weekly media calendar.

Requests for additional coach availability must be submitted through the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team.

Visiting and Opposing Team Media

Virtual or in-person interview requests from opposing team media may be considered upon request and are subject to approval by Ottawa Rapid FC, the visiting club, and the Northern Super League, as applicable.

PRIVACY, SAFETY, AND ACCESSIBILITY

Media must respect the privacy, safety, and dignity of all players, coaches, staff, officials, volunteers, supporters, and guests.

Media may not record, photograph, or publish private interactions, medical treatment, personal conversations, family moments, or restricted-area content without authorization.

Ottawa Rapid FC reserves the right to restrict media access where privacy, safety, security, safeguarding, or operational considerations apply.

Media requiring accessibility accommodations should contact the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team as early as possible before matchday so reasonable arrangements can be considered.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

Credential holders are expected to comply with all Ottawa Rapid FC, Northern Super League, venue, broadcast, and security policies.

Credentials may be denied, suspended, revoked, or seized for reasons including, but not limited to:

  • Verbal abuse toward players, staff, officials, supporters, volunteers, or media
  • Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or threatening behaviour
  • Unauthorized interviews
  • Unauthorized filming, photography, recording, or livestreaming
  • Use of credentials for personal or guest access
  • Repeated entry into restricted areas
  • Failure to follow club, league, venue, broadcast, or security instructions
  • Unprofessional conduct in media areas
  • Misrepresentation of outlet, assignment, identity, or editorial purpose
  • Violation of embargoes, off-the-record conditions, or planning-only information

Ottawa Rapid FC reserves the right to make credentialing and access decisions at its discretion.

Where practical, the club will notify the credential holder and/or assigning outlet of the reason for a suspension, denial, or revocation. Requests for reconsideration may be directed to the Ottawa Rapid FC communications team.

In the event of any conflict between Ottawa Rapid FC policies, Northern Super League policies, venue rules, security requirements, or broadcast-rights obligations, the more restrictive policy may apply.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media Inquiries and Credential Requests

Ottawa Rapid FC Communications Team
Email: pr@rapidfc.ca

Northern Super League Communications

For broadcast and rights-related questions: media@nsl.ca