Sport wrestling a hit with girls' program

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Grade 6 girls from three Hants County schools spent March break doing a little female bonding in preparation for middle school. And wrestling was a hit.

Part of an Annapolis Valley Regional School Board program -- with funding from Active Kids, Healthy Kids and Health Promoting Schools initiatives -- the girls participated in activities such as boxing, yoga, wresting and hiking. School board sports animator Jen Kelday said the March Break Girls Camp was a great way to introduce new activities. “It's mostly about promoting healthy living. There are a lot of sports these girls have not been introduced to that they may want to participate in later on.”

The day spent participating in the sport of wrestling at the Three Mile Plains school was a great success. More than 60 per cent of participants said it was their top pick of activities that week. “They raved about it,” Kelday said. “I think some of them are interested enough in wrestling now to take it up in junior high school.

Sgt. Mike Lidstone of the RCMP coaches both the girls and boys wresting teams at Avon View High School. He was on had that week with an introduction to the sport and said it was a great success.

Becoming recognized

“Female wrestling is finally becoming recognized in a big way,” Lidstone said. There was a lot of talent shown that afternoon, and he hopes some of the students involved will take up the sport in the new school year.

“Canada is one of the top countries in the World in female wrestling,” he said. It was started in the early 1990s in Canada -- which was several years ahead of the USA. It is a sport in which girls have the same opportunity as males. There are provincial, national, Pan-American championships, Commonwealth Championships and World Championships as well as other large international championships in which females can compete. As well, he added that more universities are handing out scholarships for female wresting competitors

One of his bright lights is Robin Dunbar, who recently won the gold at the provincials. She was invited to lend a hand that day as a positive role model.

Dunbar became involved with wrestling in Grade 8 and said it was a privilege to come and help inspire other girls to become involved. “What people thing about when think of wresting is the guys but girls are just as strong,” she said.

Gave her strength

Wrestling gave Dunbar the strength to know she would compete. “It’s just one of those sports where its all up to you, there is no one else you can depend on or blame if you loose.”

Seeing the enthusiasm of the participants was a big rush for Dunbar. “There were a lot of girls with potential,” she said. “I wish there was this kind of program when I was young because I would have started wrestling at an earlier age.” On top of that, there was a whole lot of fun to be had for everyone involved.

Kelday said the other purpose of the program was to develop a way for girls in the area prepare for the transition to the middle school, “It’s pretty scary to just show up at the there without knowing anyone outside your class. This is a great way for them to meet each other ahead of time.”

The WHMS is a feeder school for eight other elementary schools in West Hants and she said and that’s a lot of pressure. “It a chance for them to get to know each other and bond before the new year. It’s a positive way to move them forward to their Junior High years.”