Wrestling Without a Home: Youth Program Turns to Council for Help

If you travel to any New England town with an interest in wrestling, they will tell you openly how strong the youth program in Berlin can be. It’s a program that has provided strong athletes, encouraged volunteerism, promoted youth leadership and developed partnerships throughout the community.

It’s also a program that is now facing a potentially abrupt end as Berlin Youth Wrestling is left without a home.


“Just two years ago, we had a total of 90 participants but were forced to relocate to Middletown in order to accommodate our needs,” said Roger Moss, Berlin resident and head youth wrestling coach. “Over the last several years, it has drained our account. Without a new place to wrestle soon, there will be no youth wrestling in Berlin.”

Now the program and Moss are turning to the Berlin Town Council for help, pleading the town to find space to save the program and prevent it from going under. And the Council, led by Mayor Adam Salina, offered support although that support may include outside the box thinking such as a partnership with a private business.

For the Berlin Youth Wrestling program, space has been an issue since 2011.

At that point, the program had expanded into one that was well recognized in the northeast. The program, which feeds the middle and high school levels, was forced to leave the Knights of Columbus building due to structural issues.

Moss said the group landed on its feet in Middletown, but over the past two years has depleted their account with costs that reached towards nearly $10,000 in expenses and the travel caused the number of participants to dwindle to just 45.

“The school gymnasiums are full, especially in the winter time, and we’ve talked with the Board of Education. There is just no room,” Moss said. “They are looking for a closet to set classroom space in. There is nothing available for us.”

Moss’ plea had support from local residents as well, including Elizabeth Road resident Richard Mullins who said he watched the program help mold his son into a talented leader and young adult.

“I’m the parent of a son who graduated from Berlin High School last year,” he told the council. “Through this program’s effort, he participated in fundraising events and the program taught him discipline, character, commitment, respect for himself and his opponents, the need for volunteerism and strong work ethic.”

Salina, with backing from other members of the council, said the board did not have the authority to designate a space, but is interested in helping the group find a home.

The effort will need to involve more discussions and will likely need to extend beyond town properties such as partnering with a business, he said, but with some work and ongoing discussions, there should be a solution in the community.

“There may some opportunities there,” Salina said. “We will insure, if at all possible, that the program continues and succeeds.”

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