British Wrestling (BWA) is pleased to announce a significant evolution in our technical governance. To ensure every facet of our sport—from ancient heritage styles to modern competitive formats—is given the platform it deserves, the Board has approved the establishment of Discipline-Specific Technical Management Roles.
A New Direction for British Wrestling
For a long time, the BWA’s focus and resources have been almost exclusively dedicated to the Olympic disciplines of Freestyle and Greco-Roman. We recognise that this “Olympic-first” approach has often left other vital disciplines without the formal support, recognition, or technical guidance they require from their National Governing Body.
While Olympic disciplines will remain the core work and primary strategic focus of the BWA, we acknowledge that our responsibility extends to the entire wrestling family. We are moving away from the historical lack of engagement with non-Olympic styles. Instead, we are creating a structured environment where these disciplines can thrive under the BWA’s professional framework of safeguarding, insurance, and governance.
Crucially, this new direction aligns with the growing international landscape. Through United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body, there are expanding opportunities for non-Olympic styles. UWW now oversees official World and Continental Championships for Grappling, Beach Wrestling, and Pankration, alongside dedicated committees for Traditional Wrestling. By formalising our internal roles, British Wrestling is opening a direct door for our athletes to access these prestigious international pathways and global rankings.
The Structure: Discipline Technical Committees (DTCs)
By establishing specific Discipline Technical Committees, we are providing a formal home for experts within each style to lead their own technical development. This allows the BWA to maintain its core Olympic mission while finally providing a remit and a voice for the broader wrestling community.
This is not a symbolic change; it is a structural one. Each Discipline Technical Manager will report directly to the Sport Technical Committee (STC). This reporting line ensures that non-Olympic disciplines have a genuine say in the running of British Wrestling with the STC reporting directly to the British Wrestling Board. As part of the STC, these leads will collaborate on national technical standards, influence BWA policy, and ensure that their discipline’s unique needs are heard at the highest level of the organisation’s sporting leadership.
The Role: Discipline Technical Manager
We are seeking visionary volunteers to act as Discipline Technical Managers. These individuals will be the primary point of contact for their discipline’s growth. Reporting directly to the BWA Technical Committee, the manager (supported by their committee) will lead on:
- Performance: Drafting selection policies and supporting international representative teams for UWW events.
- Competitions: Establishing a domestic event calendar and managing technical rules.
- Development: Integrating discipline-specific coach education into the wider BWA framework.
- Membership: Ensuring all clubs and athletes are affiliated with a safe, regulated, and insured national body.
Engaging with Established Traditions
We recognise that the British Isles are home to a rich variety of traditional wrestling styles, many of which already possess their own unique structures, local governance, and long-standing communities. We acknowledge that, historically, the BWA has not provided the level of support or collaboration these disciplines deserve.
We are offering an open invitation to the committees and leadership of these established disciplines to engage with us. We want to move past the era of limited contact and develop formal relationships built on mutual respect for your heritage. This is an opportunity to explore how the BWA can support your discipline—whether through technical recognition, safeguarding alignment, or international pathways—while respecting your existing governance. We invite these communities to nominate Discipline Technical Managers to help facilitate this new partnership.
Open Opportunities: Grappling, Beach, and Amateur MMA
In addition to our traditional styles, we are officially opening recruitment for voluntary Discipline Technical Managers in three key growth areas:
- Grappling: Overseeing both Gi and No-Gi formats.
- Beach Wrestling: Managing the domestic circuit and international selection for this thriving UWW World Series discipline.
- Amateur MMA / Pankration: Leading the technical standards for those in multi-discipline combat sports and UWW Pankration events.
These are high-impact positions for individuals passionate about building a professional and safe environment for their athletes.
How to Apply or Engage
If you represent an existing discipline and wish to explore a new, formalised relationship with the BWA, or if you wish to apply for the voluntary manager roles in Grappling, Beach, or Amateur MMA, please contact CEO Craig Anthony at canthony@britishwrestling.org.
Join us in building a more inclusive and professional future for all styles of wrestling in Great Britain.
