As the CEO of British Wrestling, I am thrilled to reflect on the remarkable journey of 2023 – a year that exemplified growth, resilience, and triumph for our beloved sport. Throughout the past 12 months, our unwavering commitment to fostering the growth of wrestling has been at the forefront of our endeavours, with a focus on collaboration, governance improvements, and an unrelenting dedication to enhancing the wrestling experience for all.
Empowering the Wrestling Community
In 2023, we stood shoulder to shoulder with clubs and community groups, injecting over £100,000 through projects such as the Together Fund and the Birmingham 22 Legacy Project. This financial support has been a game-changer, ushering the wrestling family to 60 clubs and over 2500 members. Witnessing the strength of our community grow has been truly heartening, and I’m proud of the role British Wrestling played in making this possible.
Investing in Expertise
Recognising that a strong workforce is pivotal for the sport’s advancement, we prioritised the training of coaches and officials with courses across the country throughout the year. This strategic drive saw us qualify 11 new referees and 100 new coaches in 2023 aimed to elevate the capacity within the sport. Investing in our human resources is an investment in the future, and I’m confident that our commitment to nurturing a skilled wrestling community will pay dividends for years to come.
Setting the Standard in Governance
At the core of our activities in 2023 was our commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance. Adhering to the Code of Sport Governance, the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Assurance Framework were non-negotiable. The introduction of a new discipline process for competitions, seamlessly integrated into our overarching Discipline Code for wrestling, underscored our commitment to fairness and transparency – a cornerstone for the trust our community places in us.
Month-by-Month Triumphs
Jan/Feb:
- We introduced Digital Membership Cards and Coach Licenses to provide members with evidence of their membership, making it easier for participants to engage with the sport.
- Welcoming Sir Gary Hickinbottom as the new Judicial Chair brought invaluable expertise to the sport. Gary replaces Nick De Marco who we thank profusely for his years of service.
- With Chief Medical Officer Dr Saam Falahati, we launched the Medical Section on our website, including concussion protocols, showcasing our commitment to athlete safety.
- The English Seniors event set the stage for a year with over 120 wrestlers competing in Freestyle at Repton School.
Mar/Apr:
- Hosting our first-ever female-only open mat as part of the Birmingham 2022 legacy project was a historic moment, promoting inclusivity and diversity. Check out the video from the day here.
- Ishveen Jolley’s appointment to the Board brought fresh perspectives and financial expertise to our governance. Ishveen replaced Jenny Linney who we thanked for her impactful contributions over the few years she was with us.
- Events like English Juniors continued to provide platforms for emerging talents. Junior competitions were so popular we sold out in just a few days so we are looking at bigger venues and new delivery models to accommodate the growth.
- We trialled Mat Blast a new competition format akin to Beach Wrestling which attracted new participants to the sport and received glowing feedback.
- The Officials Conference facilitated knowledge exchange and skill enhancement within our officiating community demonstrating our commitment to developing the best combat sport experience in the UK.
- The commencement of the Academy renovation marked the beginning of a transformative phase for our national training facilities.
May/Jun:
- The British Seniors and British Juniors showcased the pinnacle of wrestling talent in the UK.
- The inaugural Home Nations Showdown provided the opportunity for athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to represent their nation on the mat.
- The first-ever British Wrestling Community Awards recognised and honoured individuals and organisations contributing significantly to our wrestling community.
- Beach Wrestling Referee CPD sessions demonstrated our commitment to developing new disciplines and ongoing education within the wrestling community.
Jul/Aug:
- Our strategic partnership with ALDI for a free sport sessions campaign expanded access to wrestling, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
- The U15, U17 and U20 team’s participation in European and World Championships highlighted the international success of British Wrestling.
- The completion of the Academy renovation marked a significant milestone, providing enhanced training facilities for our athletes.
Sept/Oct:
- The appointment of a Welsh Development Officer, Leah San, strengthened the regional presence of British Wrestling, fostering growth in Wales.
- The announcement of the 2023/24 Talent and Performance Squads marked a pivotal moment in recognising and supporting the next generation of wrestling talent.
- The Coaches Conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange and professional development within the coaching community with experts from Sport England and Universities talking on topics such as child-first coaching, nutrition and wrestling-specific injuries.
Nov/Dec:
- The release of the new Disciplinary Code and Code of Conduct emphasised our commitment to fair play and sportsmanship. These documents drafted by Judicial Chair Sir Gary Hickinbottom are the culmination of work to review and amalgamate existing procedures.
- Hosting the United World Wrestling Level 3 coaching course provided our pathway coaches with greater knowledge and understanding of coaching philosophy and performance planning. We hope that this continues to elevate coaching standards within British Wrestling.
- The year concluded with the exciting spectacle of the GB Grand Prix, the first international competition hosted by British Wrestling in 13 years. The event saw participation from 16 nations and provided invaluable experience for our U17 and U20 wrestlers.
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, British Wrestling is poised for continued growth, with a focus on inclusivity, development, and the relentless pursuit of sporting excellence. The successes of 2023 set the stage for an even more promising future for wrestling in the United Kingdom. I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, volunteers, community, and partners for making 2023 a truly remarkable year for British Wrestling.
Craig Anthony
CEO
British Wrestling
