Bridgeport Parks & Rec Launches 2014 Youth Wrestling Program
By Julie Perine on November 03, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Bridgeport Parks and Recreation youth wrestling program continues into the 2014 season. Open to wrestlers age 5 to 15, the program kicks off tonight.
A 6 p.m. meeting at the Benedum Civic Center will serve to introduce interested participants and their parents to coaches and provide them with an overview of the sport. At that time, wrestlers can register for the program. The cost is $20, which also includes a team T-shirt.
"The program itself is just practices and teaching of the wrestling moves," said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth. "Tournaments are optional. Kids don't have to participate in the tournaments, but coaches do make those opportunities available. It's the parents' responsibility to pay and get them there, etc."
Tournament fees will be collected at a later time. Practices will be held at the Bridgeport High School field house; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Nov. 11.
The program has proven to be a nice feeder program into the Bridgeport Middle School and BHS wrestling programs.
"It's just like any other sport. If you're going to be good when it gets to middle school and high school level, there has to be a strong feeder program," Shuttleworth said. "We're helping to serve that purpose."
Last year, about 30 kids participated in the program, he said.
For more details, Shuttleworth encourages attendance at tonight's evening’s meeting, which is expected to last about one hour.
Benedum Civic Center staff can be reached during work hours at 304-842-8240.
