Nike powers new opportunities for Toronto children with two Wrestle 4 Fun after-school programs
Cartwheels and tumbling during Wrestle 4 Fun After School program at Brookview Public School
In September 2023, Beat the Streets (BTS) was awarded a Nike Community Impact Fund grant. This grant has allowed us to launch two new after-school wrestling programs for low-income children at Flemington Public School and Greenholme Public School for the Albion Boys & Girls Club in Toronto. These programs, designed to provide a holistic approach to personal development, focus on improving physical literacy, confidence, and social-emotional skills through fun and interactive games.
We are grateful to Nike's Community Impact Fund Canada for backing our initiative. Thank you for ensuring all young people have access to programs that foster confidence, healthy habits, and resilience!
Why this matters: Wrestling for holistic development
Regardless of socioeconomic status, all children deserve access to programs that focus on both the body and the mind, providing a holistic approach to personal development. Our wrestling program improves physical literacy and confidence and includes fun and interactive games to enhance social-emotional skills like decision-making and stress management. These are essential building blocks for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Check out the program in action. Special thanks to Taylor McIntosh for directing and filming!
“Beat the Streets is an important program for running at school because it gives kids an opportunity to do something they never have the experience to do. It also gives them an opportunity to learn something completely different from people outside of the norm.”
Coach Arely Torales reflects: Building skills and confidence
Impact of BTS After-School Wrestling program at Flemington
The after-school wrestling program aims to teach children and youth about the importance of physical activity, which helps build confidence, resilience, and healthy bodies. The program encourages students to try a new sport and leave their comfort zones. We also provide activities that teach valuable life skills like positive motivation, stress management, and goal setting.
Typically, classes begin with a light dynamic warmup, including exercises like jumping jacks, jogging, and pushups. We then move on to wrestling movements like bear crawls, crab walks, front rolls, and cartwheels. Each class introduces a new exercise to challenge and motivate the students. Following the warmup, we practice wrestling techniques, teaching the fundamentals of freestyle wrestling, including the point system and rules. We conclude each class with stretching and discussions on social-emotional skills to help them navigate life.
“They also developed skills to manage stress and fear, which they can apply in other areas. The students’ improvement in physical capabilities and self-confidence was evident, and it was heartening to see their pride in their accomplishments.”
From hesitation to confidence: A journey of growth
Throughout the program, students have shown remarkable progress. Initially, many hesitated to try new skills, preferring familiar sports like soccer or basketball. However, by the end of the program, they were more confident and willing to engage in wrestling activities. It was truly a journey of growth, as they went from being afraid to attempt a front roll to confidently performing multiple rolls in a row. They also developed skills to manage stress and fear, which they can apply in other areas. The students' improvement in physical capabilities and self-confidence was evident, and it was heartening to see their pride in their accomplishments.
Working with the Flemington community was both fun and impactful. It was inspiring to see how our program positively changed the lives of our students.
Coach feedback: energetic and eager to learn
Warming up at Brookview Public School
Our coaches have observed a significant increase in the students' energy levels, sometimes making getting their attention challenging. Despite this, the kids have shown remarkable improvement in their behaviour and readiness for activities. They now prepare for warmups immediately, without waiting for instructions, and are more aware of the routines. While they remain highly energetic, they are beginning to calm down, especially with better weather allowing outdoor play before the program starts.
About the Nike Community Impact Fund: Championing active communities
At Nike, we’re taking action to create a better world by investing in more active, inclusive communities, starting with the cities where we live, work, and operate. A big part of how we bring that to life is through the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF), an employee-led, neighborhood-focused approach to supporting local community organizations around the world to drive positive, lasting change and make play possible for all kids.
For more information, visit the Nike Community Impact Fund.
We are deeply grateful for Nike’s support and excited about the continued positive impact on the lives of low-income youth in Toronto. Together, with the support of the Nike Community Impact Fund, we are fostering a brighter, healthier future for all, making a significant difference in our community.
About Beat the Streets:
At Beat the Streets, our mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique sports, life skills, and employment-based development programs. Since 2014, we have served over 30,000 young individuals through our Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up, You Grow Girl, Work It (Summer Jobs), and Volunteer programs, providing them opportunities to develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. We believe in empowering the next generation by breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success.
Join us in our mission to impact youth:
Join us in making a difference by supporting our cause and learning more about how you can contribute to the education and growth of children and youth in need. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
