WINTHROP YOUTH WRESTLING
Winthrop YOUTH WRESTLING
Winter 2025-26 Season
Boston Wrestling Legion is returning to Winthrop for a winter wrestling season! This program is for children ages 6-14 (grades K-8) of all skill and experience levels. The season takes place beginning in the first week of December, and will continue until the week before February vacation.
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Our practice time has been confirmed. We will practice on Wednesday evenings, with a 5:30-6:45 session for younger wrestlers and 6:45-8:15 for older wrestlers. These practices take place in the multipurpose room at the Gorman Fort Banks School. NOTE: This location has been changed from our original location at the Arthur T Cummings School. Please note that the location is now Gorman Fort Banks, not Arthur T Cummings.
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The youth wrestling season will focus primarily on gaining real match experience through competitions. Wrestlers will build their fundamental skills during practices and put these skills to the test during competitions. While all competitions are strongly encouraged as a great way for wrestlers to test their growth and skill development, they are not mandatory. Wrestlers who miss competitions will miss a lot of the growth and learning that takes place at them, so we do strongly encourage them as much as possible.
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Competition Schedule
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The current competition schedule includes the following dates and (estimated) times:
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Saturday 12/6 from 10:00 - 12:30 pm at Excel Academy High School (East Boston) *Grades 5-8 only
Saturday 12/20 from 7:30 - 9:30 am at TBD (either Tewksbury, North Andover, or Chelmsford)
Saturday 1/10 from 7:30 - 9:30 am at TBD (either Tewksbury, North Andover, or Chelmsford)
Saturday 1/17 from 7:30 - 9:30 am at TBD (either Tewksbury, North Andover, or Chelmsford)
Saturday 1/24 from 8:00 - 2:00 pm at Providence, RI *Grades 5-8 only
Saturday 1/31 from 9:00 - 1:00 pm at Excel Academy High School (East Boston) *Grades 5-8 only
Sunday 2/8 from 7:30 - 2:00 pm at TBD U6, U8, U10 State Championships
Sunday 2/15 from 7:30 - 2:00 pm at TBD U12, U15 Sectionals
Sunday 3/3 from 7:30 - 2:00 pm at TBD U12, U15 Big East Tournament
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The schedule is subject to change, and we may add additional dates. Families are also welcome to bring wrestlers to other events throughout the state, although we cannot promise that a coach or Legion representative will be available. Some competitions have their own entry fees, and these are not covered by Legion.
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Competition Gear - Uniforms
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During competitions, it is required that all wrestlers wear a Boston Wrestling Legion uniform. Legion gear is available for purchase through our MyHouse store. There are two options for uniforms, either a singlet or compression shirt and fight shorts. ​​​​​​​​​​Wrestlers who opt for the two-piece uniform must purchase both components: The shirt and the shorts are both required. We have singlet samples available for a fit check if families would like to try before purchasing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
There is other gear available for purchase in our MyHouse store, and families are welcome to buy any other items that they choose. MyHouse sends a portion of each purchase back to Legion, which we put toward our operating expenses.
Other required gear are wrestling shoes, which can be purchased from online retailers such as WrestlingMart, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Amazon. We have a limited in-house stock of shoes in different sizes, so if you already have shoes and need to go up a size, we may be able to offer an exchange. Wrestlers cannot participate using regular sneakers, running shoes, or other footwear. Wrestlers may use grip socks on a temporary basis while awaiting wrestling shoes, but cannot use these during competitions.
YOUTH WRESTLING SEASON FAQ
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Q: Where does the program take place?
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A: Practices take place at the Gorman Fort Banks School in Winthrop at 101 Kennedy St. in Winthrop, MA.
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Q: What do you do to make sure wrestling is safe?
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A: Wrestlers are separated into pairs based on their age, size, and skill level. We would not allow a 50-pound 6-year-old to wrestle against a 150-pound 12-year-old. They are paired with a partner who is relatively close to them in age, size, and skill.
Before all wrestling practices, we reinforce our two biggest safety rules: no hitting of any kind (punching, kicking, etc.), and both wrestlers must agree to wrestle before starting and must shake hands (no sneaking up on someone unsuspected). These rules help maintain order, respect, and safety. There are many other rules that wrestlers will learn regarding safety, and they are reinforced multiple times to ensure that there is no confusion. Wrestlers who fail to obey safety rules may be required to sit out, and we reserve the right to dismiss a wrestler from the program for repeated offenses. Safety is our highest priority, as it is necessary to ensure all young people have a positive experience. When the rules are followed, wrestling is one of the safest full-contact sports.
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Q: We are going on vacation and will miss 2 of the sessions. Can our child still join?
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A: Yes! The sessions are not mandatory, and while your child may miss important information about a wrestling technique or drill, our coaching staff will support them in catching up on anything they missed.
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Q: Our child is interested in wrestling, but hasn't ever done it before and we are nervous. How do you support new wrestlers?
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A: We believe every young person is a unique individual who has a variety of strengths that can help them become a successful wrestler. We start with the rules of wrestling -- how to win a match, how to score points, and safety rules. We then teach the fundamental movements and techniques that can help wrestlers succeed per the rules. We allow many opportunities for athletes to be creative and try to figure out ways to win and score points. Our practices are structured so that they can both learn the fundamentals, but also have the freedom to learn through the experience of trying out their own ideas.
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Q: What kind of gear/equipment does my child need?
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A: Wrestlers should come to practice wearing athletic clothes free of buckles, belts, buttons, or loops. Baggy and oversized clothes should be avoided, as they can prohibit correct technique and cause a safety issue. Your child should have full range of motion and be able to move comfortably.
The only gear needed for practice is a pair of wrestling shoes. These can be found on Amazon for $50-60 or at certain sporting goods stores. We have a limited amount of shoes available to borrow, but we encourage all wrestlers to have their own pair of shoes. There is no other uniform or gear to purchase. If your child wishes to continue in wrestling after the summer session, they may need a uniform and headgear to compete at future events, but will not need anything besides shoes for the summer.
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Q: We have questions that aren't covered here. What is the best way to contact you?
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A: Our best contact is by email at info@wrestlinglegion.org for other questions. We are also available by phone at 617-370-5695.
