OUR TEAMS
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Eastern Loudoun Wrestling Club (ELWC) is one large club comprised of different teams with their own practice/competition schedules. When you register, simply pick the option that corresponds to your age group. The only exception is the Gold Leopards, an invitation-only team for our more experienced, advanced wrestlers.
Here are the registration categories for the 2019-2020 season: Junior Leopards (grades K-1) Elementary School (grades 2-5, first graders if it makes sense) Gold Leopards (grades 2-8, invitation only) Middle School (grades 6-8) |
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REGISTRATION FOR THE 2019-2010 SEASON WILL OPEN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. EXACT PRACTICE SCHEDULES/LOCATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING DETERMINED.
Descriptions and fees are listed below (we also provide discounts for siblings):
JUNIOR LEOPARDS (grades K-1). This is an “age-appropriate” weekly practice at Top of the Podium. Boys and girls are introduced to the basics of wrestling while also emphasizing body awareness, agility, balance, movement, etc. (often through games). We want the kids to have a great time and positive experience. By separating these children from older wrestlers, we ensure they receive age-appropriate instruction.
At this age, we do not see many benefits from participating in formal competition. However, the Junior Leopards wrestle a lot in practice and have the option in competing at tourneys at TOP during the winter. If you believe your child is mature and athletic enough to practice with older kids in a more traditional wrestling practice, please contact us to discuss this request. Fees for the Junior Leopards are $149.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (grades 2-5). We have two teams of elementary-age wrestlers that practice at different times and locations:
Red Leopards (location at Top of the Podium in Sterling)
Blue Leopards (location at a high school in Ashburn)
When registering, you will be asked if you have a preference about practice location/time. In past years, we accommodated all requests, but it's possible one of the groups will fill up, so register early to ensure your spot.
Each Leopard team focuses on fundamentals. But most importantly, we want youth to fall in love with the sport, obtain great exercise, and have a positive experience. We understand some wrestlers on these teams may be motivated, mature and talented enough to participate in a more serious practice. In such cases, the coaches will hold an extra practice during the week. This will be invitation-only (i.e., a coach must recommend/approve a wrestler for this practice). This decision is always based on the best interests of the wrestler and club, along with potential space limitations in the room. Feel free to talk to the coaches if you believe your wrestler should bump up. 6th graders may also join the elementary Leopard teams if it seems like a better fit based on athletic ability and maturity.
All Leopards have the option of competing in local tournaments and meets. Our teams compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals-Novice Division which take place at Top of the Podium. In most cases, wrestlers compete against others of a comparable age/weight/experience level. Most events take place on Saturdays, however, there are a few exceptions during the year. Experience shows too many kids quite wrestling if thrown into competition too soon. Thus, ELWC encourages competition only if they wrestler is interested and ready. There is nothing wrong with “practice-only” or giving wrestlers occasional weeks off during the season.
Regarding grades, some first graders are "old" for their grade and may also be more advanced athletically or able to focus at a higher level than peers. If this is the case and you believe a first grader is better suited for a Leopards team (as opposed to Junior Leopards), we can discuss (if you're not sure) or you can register for the Elementary Leopards. If it turns out the child would be better suited for the Junior Leopards, the coaches will let you know. In general, though, we believe it's better to be "bumped up" rather than "bumped down."
Fees for this program are $199 for the season that runs from early November through February.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). Loudoun County does not offer middle school sports, so local clubs fill the void. ELWC has formed teams for all middle schools in Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, you will be assigned to an appropriate team.
Depending on enrollment, schools are sometimes combined to ensure adequate workout partners. In general, we anticipate the following this season (details to come soon).
STERLING GROUP. This will consist of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practice 3x/week at Top of the Podium in Sterling.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice 2x/week at Independence High School (tentative). An optional third practice will most likely take place at TOP.
ASHBURN. This group consists of Eagle Ridge, Trailside and Farmwell Station middle schools. It's likely this group will be divided into two separate rooms depending on enrollments. Practices will be 2x/week at an Ashburn high school with an optional third practice at TOP.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also will have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are so many options, each coach will explain the opportunities to the parents after the season begins.
If your school isn’t listed above (or the practice schedule conflicts with your schedule), don’t worry. We will discuss assigning your wrestler to another location that makes sense. For more information on each of the school teams, click here.
Fees are $219 for the season that runs from November 7 to late February/early March.
GOLD LEOPARDS (grades 2-8). This is invitation-only and is generally comprised of experienced, motivated, dedicated and mature wrestlers. Most kids are older with multiple years of experience. The coaches expect athletes to take practice seriously and reserve the right to move wrestlers in or out of this team for the good of the team.
The Gold Leopards practice 3x week at Top of the Podium. The team competes in the Mason-Dixon League (which features weekly tournaments on Sundays in January thru early March). The Gold Leopards also enter a team in the Dulles Duals and may participate in other tournaments and events, including the VAWA State Championships in Richmond.
Fees for Gold Leopards are $274 for the season that runs from early November into March. Middle School wrestlers who attend one of the schools listed below can also attend their practices and represent their school in local competitions (see more below).
Descriptions and fees are listed below (we also provide discounts for siblings):
JUNIOR LEOPARDS (grades K-1). This is an “age-appropriate” weekly practice at Top of the Podium. Boys and girls are introduced to the basics of wrestling while also emphasizing body awareness, agility, balance, movement, etc. (often through games). We want the kids to have a great time and positive experience. By separating these children from older wrestlers, we ensure they receive age-appropriate instruction.
At this age, we do not see many benefits from participating in formal competition. However, the Junior Leopards wrestle a lot in practice and have the option in competing at tourneys at TOP during the winter. If you believe your child is mature and athletic enough to practice with older kids in a more traditional wrestling practice, please contact us to discuss this request. Fees for the Junior Leopards are $149.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (grades 2-5). We have two teams of elementary-age wrestlers that practice at different times and locations:
Red Leopards (location at Top of the Podium in Sterling)
Blue Leopards (location at a high school in Ashburn)
When registering, you will be asked if you have a preference about practice location/time. In past years, we accommodated all requests, but it's possible one of the groups will fill up, so register early to ensure your spot.
Each Leopard team focuses on fundamentals. But most importantly, we want youth to fall in love with the sport, obtain great exercise, and have a positive experience. We understand some wrestlers on these teams may be motivated, mature and talented enough to participate in a more serious practice. In such cases, the coaches will hold an extra practice during the week. This will be invitation-only (i.e., a coach must recommend/approve a wrestler for this practice). This decision is always based on the best interests of the wrestler and club, along with potential space limitations in the room. Feel free to talk to the coaches if you believe your wrestler should bump up. 6th graders may also join the elementary Leopard teams if it seems like a better fit based on athletic ability and maturity.
All Leopards have the option of competing in local tournaments and meets. Our teams compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals-Novice Division which take place at Top of the Podium. In most cases, wrestlers compete against others of a comparable age/weight/experience level. Most events take place on Saturdays, however, there are a few exceptions during the year. Experience shows too many kids quite wrestling if thrown into competition too soon. Thus, ELWC encourages competition only if they wrestler is interested and ready. There is nothing wrong with “practice-only” or giving wrestlers occasional weeks off during the season.
Regarding grades, some first graders are "old" for their grade and may also be more advanced athletically or able to focus at a higher level than peers. If this is the case and you believe a first grader is better suited for a Leopards team (as opposed to Junior Leopards), we can discuss (if you're not sure) or you can register for the Elementary Leopards. If it turns out the child would be better suited for the Junior Leopards, the coaches will let you know. In general, though, we believe it's better to be "bumped up" rather than "bumped down."
Fees for this program are $199 for the season that runs from early November through February.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). Loudoun County does not offer middle school sports, so local clubs fill the void. ELWC has formed teams for all middle schools in Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, you will be assigned to an appropriate team.
Depending on enrollment, schools are sometimes combined to ensure adequate workout partners. In general, we anticipate the following this season (details to come soon).
STERLING GROUP. This will consist of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practice 3x/week at Top of the Podium in Sterling.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice 2x/week at Independence High School (tentative). An optional third practice will most likely take place at TOP.
ASHBURN. This group consists of Eagle Ridge, Trailside and Farmwell Station middle schools. It's likely this group will be divided into two separate rooms depending on enrollments. Practices will be 2x/week at an Ashburn high school with an optional third practice at TOP.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also will have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are so many options, each coach will explain the opportunities to the parents after the season begins.
If your school isn’t listed above (or the practice schedule conflicts with your schedule), don’t worry. We will discuss assigning your wrestler to another location that makes sense. For more information on each of the school teams, click here.
Fees are $219 for the season that runs from November 7 to late February/early March.
GOLD LEOPARDS (grades 2-8). This is invitation-only and is generally comprised of experienced, motivated, dedicated and mature wrestlers. Most kids are older with multiple years of experience. The coaches expect athletes to take practice seriously and reserve the right to move wrestlers in or out of this team for the good of the team.
The Gold Leopards practice 3x week at Top of the Podium. The team competes in the Mason-Dixon League (which features weekly tournaments on Sundays in January thru early March). The Gold Leopards also enter a team in the Dulles Duals and may participate in other tournaments and events, including the VAWA State Championships in Richmond.
Fees for Gold Leopards are $274 for the season that runs from early November into March. Middle School wrestlers who attend one of the schools listed below can also attend their practices and represent their school in local competitions (see more below).