Waterloo Regional Matmen Wrestling Club believes in the Long Term Athletic Developmental Model as set by the Sports Canada and The Canadian Coaching Association. Science, research and decades of experience all point to the same thing: kids and adults will get active, stay active, and even reach the greatest heights of sport achievement if they do the right things things at the right times. This is the logic behind the Long-Term Athlete Development model (LTAD).

Here are seven stages within the basic LTAD model:

• Stage 1: Active Start (0-6 years)
• Stage 2: FUNdamental (girls 6-8, boys 6-9)
• Stage 3: Learn to Train (girls 8-11, boys 9-12)
• Stage 4: Train to Train (girls 11-15, boys 12-16)
• Stage 5: Train to Compete (girls 15-21, boys 16-23)
• Stage 6: Train to Win (girls 18+, boys 19+)

Therefore, Tykes and Novice in our program will not be competing in any OAWA tournaments. They will be invited to participate in locally organized in-house competitions with the emphasis on developing their skills and friendships.
Parents are not allowed to register their child in any tournament independently of the club’s permission.

Session 1:
Focus is on athletic development through games and drills.
Physical testing will be administered during week 6 and week 10.
There are no competitions at all age levels.

Session 2:
Further development of athletic abilities and the introduction of basic technical skills (wrestling moves).
Physical testing will take place during week 5.
Technical testing will take place during week 6 and 10.
There are no competitions at all age levels.

Session 3:
Class is divided into 2 groups: Developmental Stream and the Competitive Stream.
All tyke and novice aged athletes stay in the developmental stream as well as the kid and bantam aged athletes who have not passed the physical or technical tests.
Kids and Bantams who have passed the physical and technical tests in session 2 are invited in the Competitive Stream and will develop more technical skills as well as tactical skills in preparation for OAWA tournaments under the supervision of specific coaches. Coaches still retain the right to not send athletes in a competition.