Olympic Team GB Kids' Pathway for Wrestling

Becoming a Team GB Olympic wrestler is no easy task. It requires years of hard work, dedication, and a strong support system. But with the right mindset and plenty of effort, it’s achievable. Here are five key steps of the British wrestling performance pathway.

Regional Squad

The regional squad is the first stage of the performance pathway for the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad. The squad comprises U17, U15, and U13 wrestlers who have been identified on assessment trial days as having the potential and embodying the required values and behaviours. When a young person is selected, this is for just one year, and they must be reselected the following year to continue on the pathway. For U13s, there is a focus on the enjoyment of training, with it becoming more serious as wrestlers progress, and there are monthly training sessions. The regional squad is crucial to the broader performance pathway, providing valuable experience and exposure to elite-level wrestling.

National Squad

The national squad is the second stage of the performance pathway for the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad. The athletes in this squad have the potential to progress higher in the performance pathway. The main objectives of the national squad are to prepare wrestlers to compete and win at the U17 World Championships and to reinforce basic technical and movement skills. They are encouraged and supported to set goals and attend national and international training camps. 

GB Development 

The GB Development squad is the third stage of the performance pathway for the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad. The squad is made up of U23, U20, and U17 athletes who have the potential to achieve qualification at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. The main aim of the GB Development squad is to prepare for the demands of high-performance competition and develop individual match strategies. The athletes are supported by a team of experienced coaches, physiotherapists, and sports psychologists. The GB Development squad provides an important stepping stone for young wrestlers who aspire to compete at the Olympic Games.

GB Performance: LA Potential 

The GB Performance squad is the fourth stage of the performance pathway for the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad. It is designed for wrestlers who have the potential to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The team is committed to all aspects of holistic development and lifestyle, and its members consistently create innovative, adaptive, and effective match strategies. As a result of their dedication and hard work, the GB Performance squad is an essential part of the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad.

GB Senior Elite 

The GB Senior Elite is the final stage of the performance pathway for the Team GB Olympic wrestling squad. This stage is for wrestlers who have the potential to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Wrestlers at this stage can compete and win at Olympic, World, and European Championship levels. They have advanced levels of self-awareness, accountability, and ownership of performance. The GB Senior Elite stage is the highest level of the performance pathway, and wrestlers at this stage are expected to perform at their best.

These are the five steps of the British wrestling performance pathway. These steps are not easy, but with hard work and dedication, it is possible to become a Team GB Olympic wrestler. The most important thing is to have a clear goal and stay focused on achieving it.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich