Impact 2025–2026

Free programs. Consistent opportunities. Stronger young people.

During the 2025–26 school year, Beat the Streets delivered more than 800 hours of free youth wrestling, self-defence and skills-based programming in Toronto and Thunder Bay, helping young people build confidence, resilience and belonging.

Our year at a glance

800+

hours of free programming delivered
441

participants in ongoing school-based programming
9

Toronto schools and program sites
250+

girls reached through the Girls CAN Wrestle & Lead Pathway

How we created impact

Consistent School-Based Programming

Young people participated in free after-school wrestling, Open Mats, Work It Girl and other school-based opportunities led by experienced coaches.

Programs gave participants consistent opportunities to stay active, develop new skills, challenge themselves and become part of a supportive community.

Spaces Where Girls Belong

Girls participated in self-defence workshops, You Grow Girl bridge programs, girls-only wrestling clubs and Indigenous-focused mental health and movement programming.

These initiatives created welcoming spaces led by women coaches and helped girls develop confidence, emotional regulation, leadership skills and a stronger sense of belonging in sport.

An Active Summer

Summer Open Mats delivered 40 hours of free programming and generated 1,152 participant-hours.

Beat the Streets also delivered eight weeks of Beach Wrestling, providing an additional 16 hours of free outdoor programming.

Beyond participation

9 girls continued into wrestling

Four girls in Toronto and five girls in Thunder Bay moved from introductory self-defence programming into ongoing wrestling programs.
16 of 21 athletes qualified

Sixteen of the 21 SATEC athletes competing at the Regional Championships finished in the top four and qualified for the City Championships.
Positive changes extended beyond the mat

Coaches and teachers reported increased confidence, persistence, cooperation, classroom engagement and willingness to take on new challenges.

In their own words

“Wrestling makes me scared, but I love conquering it.”

— After-school program participant

“My daughter, who loves to grapple but is still finding her confidence, came away with both skill and self-belief.”

— Parent, Summer Open Mats

“Initially, the girls started the class very timid and quiet, but by the end, they were loud and proud. After the session, several girls asked when it would run again, and four Grade 8 girls have now joined the wrestling team and attend every practice.”

— Coach Braxton, Girls Self-Defence

More than a decade of impact

30,000+

Since 2015, Beat the Streets has served more than 30,000 children and youth through its programs.

Every number represents a young person given an opportunity to participate, challenge themselves, build relationships and discover what they are capable of.