Girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. 32 states have sanctioned high school girls wrestling.
USA Wrestling’s Girls High School Development Committee, led by Joan Fulp of California and Andrea Yamamoto of Washington, has been working closely with wrestling leaders across the nation, supporting their efforts in getting state recognition for girls wrestling.
I’ve written before about the growing popularity and state sanctioning. It is time for an update. The map indicates those states in white who have not yet sanctioned girls high school wrestling. Pennsylvania and Iowa are powerhouse wresting states who are obviously lagging behind the majority of the states. In both of these states, numbers of girls wrestling have grown dramatically in the last few years. Young wrestlers are looking ahead and hoping their time will come sooner than later.
In the dark states where girls wrestling is sanctioned, time and time again participant numbers jumped dramatically after sanctioning. Girls are wrestling in AAU events nationwide hoping sanctioning will occur in their area.
Sanctioning Urged in Iowa
In Iowa, the threshold for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is 50 schools requesting to have girls wrestling programs or 15% of the state’s schools. Recently a WHO TV news piece reported we are well short of that number. Perhaps other districts have indicated their support, but not yet met the Letter of Commitment Guidelines for a team.
The Letter of Commitment Guidelines for Iowa High School Girls Wrestling must be completed by the School Superintendent or an administrative leader. Guidelines indicate the letter of commitment should be:
Must be less than 30 pages and it must include the following:
1. A sample budget outlining financial costs.
2. A proposed timeline for implementation of the sport to interscholastic status in the district.
3. Competitive opportunities.
4. Facility availability or plans.
5. General competition rules.
6. Suggested IGHSAU regulations (playing and practice season, coaching requirements, format for the sport, maximum contests, competition structure).
7. The signatures of the district school board president, superintendent, and the athletics director of the institution.
Administrators may also indicate a desire for facilitation of co-ed cooperatives, as we see in other Iowa sports. Then successful wrestling models such as Nebraska have accomplished this, which allows the sharing of events, practice rooms, partners, and staff to facilitate every opportunity for the athletes. I know our district currently has sharing agreements for other sports. Sharing is a viable method.
Why is Sanctioning Lagging?
Perhaps there is concern about funding a girls’ team. Perhaps the discussion on space and facilities has not yet occurred. Are there thoughts that girls still don’t belong in wrestling? Is there concern the number of girls participating do not yet warrant state sanctioning? Is there concern boys volleyball and other sports will also want sanctioning?
Regardless, the State Legislature of Iowa was presented bills in both chambers to sanction the sport of girls wrestling. As of this time, those bills have not passed and were bogged down in committees.
What should we do? Contact your school administrators and urge them to complete the Letter of Commitment Guidelines for Sanctioning Girls Wrestling. No matter what state you’re in, contact your schools. Contact your legislators. Even after the session has ended, contact them at parades, events or call their offices. Let them know you care about the equal opportunities for women in athletics.