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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CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION PAGE
The season officially begins on November 6. So the first practice for each team will be November 6 or 7 (depending on the nights of your practices).
Registration fees can be paid in two installments if desired (the first part upon registration; the balance will be charged on January 1)
Descriptions and fees for each team 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. Practices will be held on Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:45 pm. In a change this year, the Junior Leopards will actually warm up with the older Red Leopards before separating for age-appropriate instruction and activities---we believe they will enjoy this exposure to the older kids and that it will be beneficial for all.
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); practices on Mon/Wed from 5:45-7:15 pm
Blue Leopards (location at a high school in Ashburn--tentatively Broad Run High School); practices on Tues/Thurs from 7-8:30 pm
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 plan to 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. Uniforms can be loaned (at no charge) or purchased for the season.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). ELWC has formed teams for all middle schools in the Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, this is not a problem and 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:
STERLING GROUP. This consists of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practices on Monday and Thursday (7-8:30) at Top of the Podium in Sterling. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice on Monday and Thursday nights at 5:30-7:00 pm at Independence High School. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
ASHBURN. There will be two separate groups. Eagle Ridge wrestlers will practice at Briar Woods HS on Tues/Thurs from 6-7:30 pm. Trailside and Farmwell Station wrestlers will practice at Stone Bridge HS on Mon/Thurs from 6:45-8:15. There will also be an optional third practice for both groups at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are 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 $225 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 (Tues/Thurs/Fri) 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 $279 for the season as long as families are willing to volunteer. If not, they can "opt-out" by paying full price of $329. When registering, coaches will provide families with a $50 discount coupon code to use if they are willing to volunteer.Middle School wrestlers who attend one of the schools listed above can join the Gold team but still represent their school in local competitions.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION PAGE
The season officially begins on November 6. So the first practice for each team will be November 6 or 7 (depending on the nights of your practices).
Registration fees can be paid in two installments if desired (the first part upon registration; the balance will be charged on January 1)
Descriptions and fees for each team 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. Practices will be held on Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:45 pm. In a change this year, the Junior Leopards will actually warm up with the older Red Leopards before separating for age-appropriate instruction and activities---we believe they will enjoy this exposure to the older kids and that it will be beneficial for all.
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); practices on Mon/Wed from 5:45-7:15 pm
Blue Leopards (location at a high school in Ashburn--tentatively Broad Run High School); practices on Tues/Thurs from 7-8:30 pm
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 plan to 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. Uniforms can be loaned (at no charge) or purchased for the season.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (grades 6-8). ELWC has formed teams for all middle schools in the Ashburn, Brambleton and Sterling areas. If you live outside of this area, this is not a problem and 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:
STERLING GROUP. This consists of Seneca Ridge, River Bend and Sterling middle schools and practices on Monday and Thursday (7-8:30) at Top of the Podium in Sterling. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
BRAMBLETON. This group will consist of Brambleton and Stone Hill middle schools and practice on Monday and Thursday nights at 5:30-7:00 pm at Independence High School. There will also be an optional third practice at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
ASHBURN. There will be two separate groups. Eagle Ridge wrestlers will practice at Briar Woods HS on Tues/Thurs from 6-7:30 pm. Trailside and Farmwell Station wrestlers will practice at Stone Bridge HS on Mon/Thurs from 6:45-8:15. There will also be an optional third practice for both groups at TOP on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Our Middle School teams primarily compete in the Winter Wrestling Series and Dulles Duals. They also have the opportunity to compete in other events during the season. Because there are 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 $225 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 (Tues/Thurs/Fri) 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 $279 for the season as long as families are willing to volunteer. If not, they can "opt-out" by paying full price of $329. When registering, coaches will provide families with a $50 discount coupon code to use if they are willing to volunteer.Middle School wrestlers who attend one of the schools listed above can join the Gold team but still represent their school in local competitions.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION PAGE