First-Time Competitors, Big-Time Wins: How OCGA Support is Fueling Confidence on the Mat
Something incredible is happening in school gyms across the GTA.
Through the support of the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), students from Joseph Brant Public School and SATEC/Porter Collegiate are not just learning wrestling techniques; they’re building confidence, resilience, and leadership, one practice at a time.
About the Program
With OCGA’s support, our Wrestle 4 Fun after-school program provides a free, safe, and structured space for youth to train, grow, and challenge themselves. For many, it’s their first time participating in organized sport, and the impact goes far beyond the mat.
Coach Braxton Stone-Papadopoulos | By Tabercil - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41658163
Coach Braxton Stone, who led the Joseph Brant and SATEC programs, described how engagement skyrocketed when students stepped into live scrimmaging.
“This wasn’t just the fun part. It was the moment everything shifted. They lit up, brought intensity, and started treating the sport with purpose.”
Joseph Brant Public School: Girls Leading the Way
“We had more girls than boys on the team, which is actually very uncommon in wrestling!”
Joseph Brant first time wrestlers at local tournament
That alone made this season extraordinary. But what happened next made it unforgettable.
Five first-time wrestlers represented the school at a local tournament.
Four walked away with medals:
Two silver | Two bronze
For most, this was their first-ever competitive experience. Their excitement and pride were impossible to miss.
Behind that success were weeks of commitment. When students started, many struggled with basic physical skills, like push-ups or coordination drills. But they kept showing up. They built strength, resilience, and belief in themselves.
“The program became a space where struggle was welcomed and improvement celebrated.”
Even social dynamics have transformed. Students who began the year shy or hesitant became teammates, cheering each other on and forming friendships that extended beyond the gym.
“They think it’s so cool. They get to wrestle and learn something new.”
SATEC/Porter Collegiate: From Newbies to OFSAA
At SATEC and Porter Collegiate, most of the 28 participants were new to wrestling. They weren’t chasing medals, they were building skills.
But that mindset paid off.
13 students qualified for the first OFSAA tournament round
7 advanced to cities
2 made it to OFSAA, the province’s most prestigious high school wrestling championship
One of them had come last in the qualifiers the year before. This year, he won.
“Students transformed from passive participants to active leaders.”
First year wrestlers at SATEC @ Porter
Braxton described how older students chose to stay committed despite jobs, school, and family obligations because they saw their growth. Drills were tough. Expectations were high. But the students rose to meet them.
“Their desire to continue beyond the official sessions speaks volumes. This wasn’t just a nice diversion. They wanted more.”
Why It Matters
These aren't just numbers and medals. They prove what’s possible when youth have access, structure, support, and belief.
Wrestling teaches far more than technique. It builds:
Physical literacy and grit
Mental discipline and focus
Teamwork and empathy
Self-belief that lasts long after the final whistle
In both schools, students left stronger, not just as athletes, but as people.
Coach Dillon and Coach Braxton with SATEC @ Porter Wrestlers
Thank You, OCGA
The Ontario Charitable Gaming Association makes this possible. Through funds raised at local charitable gaming centers, OCGA helps organizations like ours deliver high-quality, low-barrier programming that changes lives.
You did more than help us run a wrestling program; you helped young people discover their potential.
To Joseph Brant and SATEC: thank you for your dedication.
To OCGA: Thank you for believing in the youth's potential.
To every student who stepped onto the mat, win or lose: you are champions.
Stay tuned! We’ll highlight more school success stories in the weeks ahead!
About Beat the Streets:
At Beat the Streets, our mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique wrestling, life skills, and employment-based development programs. Since 2015, we have served over 28,000 young individuals through our Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up, You Grow Girl, Work It (Summer Jobs), After-School and Open Mat Sessions and Volunteer programs, providing them with opportunities to develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. We believe in empowering the next generation by breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success.
Join us in our mission to impact youth:
Join us in making a difference by supporting our cause and learning more about how you can contribute to the education and growth of children and youth in need. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
