Building Healthy, Active Youth with Wrestle 4 Fun, a sport and skill-building program for low-income youth
THANK YOU, ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION
Beat the Streets is thrilled to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for their unwavering support of our organization and our unique Wrestle 4 Fun program. Since 2021, over 8,139 children have had the opportunity to experience the joy of wrestling and social-emotional learning due to their generosity.
WRESTLE 4 FUN: A PROGRAM FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Wrestle 4 Fun is a unique fitness program delivered by wrestlers. Our one-week programme encourages more children (ages 6-12) to become active by improving their physical literacy and confidence, both building blocks of an active lifestyle — in a fun and inclusive environment.
“They taught me strategies when playing games. Also helped me learn how to work with teammates.”
With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this year, we will introduce 5,000 low-income children to the sport of wrestling while engaging them in fun games to build social-emotional skills. By providing access to sports programs for low-income youth, we are empowering children to be active and healthy, promoting overall well-being, and teaching important life skills.
WHERE WE DELIVER WRESTLE 4 FUN: PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS
Since March 2023, Beat the Streets has delivered four weeks of Wrestle 4 Fun to 710 low-income children in the Toronto District School Board. To date, we have worked with:
By providing our program to schools with diverse backgrounds, we are reaching a wider range of youth and promoting equity in access to physical literacy development for youth.
WHY PHYSICAL LITERACY IS CRUCIAL TO A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT: HEALTHY MIND AND BODY PROGRAMS
“It makes me more active. Since participating I feel more happier.”
Physical literacy is a vital component of a child's development as it sets the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle while promoting overall well-being and crucial life skills. Research shows that promoting physical literacy in children is critical for their long-term health and well-being. Wrestling programs for youth are an effective way to promote physical literacy as it requires a combination of physical skills, including strength, agility, balance, and coordination. Through wrestling, children can improve their overall fitness levels, develop essential motor skills, and learn how to move their bodies differently.
“The program was excellent for the students. It provided the students with the opportunity to learn about Wrestling. They got to learn some basic wrestling skills and games. They also learned a lot from the social-emotional learning activities.”
Studies show that active and healthy youth who participate in wrestling can positively affect their physical literacy, improving their physical fitness, motor skills, body composition, dynamic balance, and reaction time. By providing opportunities for youth to participate in programs like Wrestle 4 Fun through school-based programs, community organizations, and local sports clubs, we can promote physical literacy and lay the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle. Building confidence in youth is crucial to their long-term success, and healthy mind and body programs like Wrestle 4 Fun can help achieve this goal.
Beat the Streets is proud to be at the forefront of promoting youth development programs, sports programs for low-income youth, and wrestling programs for youth. With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we will continue to create opportunities for active and healthy youth while building confidence and physical literacy in youth across the province.
ABOUT THE TRILLIUM FOUNDATION:
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projectsand partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
REFERENCES
Janssen, I., & Leblanc, A. G. (2010). Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7(40), 1-16. https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5868-7-40
Witkowski, Kazimierz & Piepiora, Paweł & Migasiewicz, Juliusz & Maśliński, Jarosław & Salachna, Adam. (2018). Physical fitness, developmental age and somatic development of youth Greco-Roman wrestlers and school youth aged 13-14 years. Archives of Budo Science of Martial Arts and Extreme Sports. 14. 63-74. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357768516_Physical_fitness_developmental_age_and_somatic_development_of_youth_Greco-Roman_wrestlers_and_school_youth_aged_13-14_years
Genç, Ayça. (2020). The Effect of Wrestling Education on Some Physical and Motoric Parameters in High School Students. International Education Studies. 13. 100. 10.5539/ies.v13n4p100. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339798089_The_Effect_of_Wrestling_Education_on_Some_Physical_and_Motoric_Parameters_in_High_School_Students
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 2015, we have served over 28,000 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.
