Our Mission
We’re on a mission to create the world’s best training facility for independent wrestlers. Combining Tom’s exceptional creativity in wrestling & background in martial arts with Claire’s knowledge of elite gymnastics & experience in sports coaching, our training space is a place where you can learn all the fight choreography & acrobatic skills you need to succeed in the world of Pro-wrestling.
Professional Wrestling Reimagined
In 2020 the ‘Speaking Out Movement’ sent shock waves through the world of Professional Wrestling. Following the announcement of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Professional Wrestling, both Tom & Claire made submissions in response to the call for evidence.
The subsequent report published in April 2021 made key recommendations on how to address what the APPG identified to be widespread abuse & unsafe practices within the sector.
One major recommendation outlined in the report was that in order to ensure the safety of wrestlers & trainees; Wrestling training should in the future be understood as a form of ‘sports coaching’ whereas the performance of wrestling at shows should be understood as ‘theatre’.
While this clear distinction represents an important step towards creating the governance & oversight the sector needs - we also feel the report missed an important opportunity to align the practice of wrestling with the structures & governance already in place within the world of Stunt & Stage Combat. Over the coming months, we will therefore continue to advocate for this position as we seek further guidance on the future governance of Professional Wrestling.
In the meantime, in lieu of a National Governing Body for Professional Wrestling, our new training space will therefore follow the club protocols & governance requirements set out for Martial Arts clubs & British Gymnastics registered clubs.
This does not mean we are a British Gymnastics registered club, only that Claire holds British Gymnastics coaching qualifications & has completed the relevant safeguarding training to run a club. We are also both Level 3 qualified personal trainers & Level 2 qualified fitness instructors. Furthermore, Tom holds two Black Belts in Ren-Shin-Kai Karate & our training space follows strict martial arts club protocols to ensure the safety of our students through disciplined graded training methods which include wrestling appropriate physical conditioning and preparation drills.
Our new wrestling school should therefore be understood as a heartfelt response to the findings of the APPG report. Our mission is to create a safe space for trainees & pro-wrestlers to learn & belong, free from the toxic cultures that have traditionally been an unwanted but ever-present part of the scene. Coaching will only ever be undertaken by qualified coaches, following the latest safety guidance & research.
Furthermore, to ensure a fresh, positive culture in our new training space we are also delighted to be working closely with a team of academics at Loughborough University who are currently carrying out research into the wellbeing needs of Professional Wrestlers under the project title ‘The Health & Wellbeing Project’. In addition, we are also consulting with the team of MP’s behind the APPG Inquiry to implement the recommendations of the report & embed their vision into the setup of our training space.
