The British Wrestling Competition Regulations have been updated for 2020. Learning from implementing the regulations in 2019 and a variety of incidents that occurred over the year the British Wrestling Sports Committee have updated the regulations in line with our key objectives of Safety, health & wellbeing for all, Increase membership & participation and Win medals and honours.
Below are the key changes to highlight in the new regulations:
Age group changes
For young wrestlers, we are introducing fixed age groups to help clarify the Pairing process. Age groups will be defined by a two-year age bracket following the format of United World Wrestling age categories and based on year of birth. Namely, those categories will be:
- Cadet – the year in which the wrestler will be 17
- School – the year in which the wrestler will be 15
- MW13 – the year in which the wrestler will be 13
- MW11 – the year in which the wrestler will be 11
- MW9 – the year in which the wrestler will be 9
Weight categories will be calculated using a 10% rule where wrestlers will compete with wrestlers weighing within 10% of the lightest wrestler in the group. Weights are calculated in kilograms to the first decimal place and are based on official weigh-in figures.
In order to increase the number of competitive bouts for young wrestlers at competitions. Those facing a walkover situation will be offered the opportunity to step up in either weight OR age category at the discretion of the Official In Charge. Any step-up will only be allowed to the next category and must be agreed by the Official In Charge and the person acting in loco parentis for the wrestler, usually the coach.
Competition and Events Discipline Policy
In order to better support our volunteers and ensure a better competition experience for all involved, we are introducing a Competition and Events Discipline Policy. The policy is specifically designed to deal with behaviour contradictory to British Wrestling’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. This policy will apply to all sanctioned British Wrestling competitions and will be adjudicated by the Sports Committee.
Introduction of 5 Star classification system for competitions
For 2020 British Wrestling will be trialling a system of competition classification that is designed to enable the growth of the sport and support new participants to access competitions that are suitable for their ability. Starting with international competitions designated as 5 star through to inter-club competitions as 1 star the aim is to give clarity to the type of competitions people should and can enter.
Introduction of a minimum entry standard for competitions
Starting with the British Junior Championships in November 2020 all competition entrants will be required to have a British Wrestling Yellow Award. This will apply to all competitions following and will be fully implemented for both seniors and juniors by 2021. This minimum entry requirement enables the sport to be confident that wrestlers have received a level of coaching that enables them to be safe on the mat. The assessments of the awards will be transitioning to regional coaches and coach tutors to ensure a level of consistency in assessment. To find out more about the awards click here.
Relaxing of competition wear requirements
In line with making the sport more accessible, competition wear requirements have been relaxed for all levels of competition within the control of British Wrestling. For National and Club level competitions tight tops and leggings can be worn under a traditional wrestling singlet. For lower-level competitions, the requirement for a singlet has been removed though wrestlers will need to be clearly identifiable as either red or blue. At all times the Referees decision will be final and based on ensuring safety and that there is no competitive advantage gained from the competition wear.
Coaches
Requirements for acting as a coach in the corner remain the same but will be more tightly managed. Matches will not commence without a qualified coach in the wrestler’s corner. As a reminder, only an authorised coach is allowed in the corner of any wrestler during a competition. They must supply evidence of a BWA Approved qualification to the Competition Director and be clearly identifiable as a coach before being granted access to the competition area. Coaches should wear sports clothing and ensure a towel is provided. To find a coaching course click here.
The full competition regulations and the competitions discipline policy are available on the Policies page and available for download below. If you have any questions please email admin@britishwrestling.org.
