Wrestling conjures images of fierce grappling on the mats, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 an avenue to help shape more well-rounded human beings, said Chris Crooks, coach of the highly successful wrestling program in Cambridge Bay.

SA国际影视传媒淪o much more of what we do is mental SA国际影视传媒� everything from financing to family planning, to education, to mental health to dealing with trauma SA国际影视传媒� so that creates success; wrestling is a medium,SA国际影视传媒� said Crooks, who introduced the sport to the community in 2015.

A retired teacher with experience as a wrestling, cross-country, track and rugby coach, he accepted a job at Kullik Ilihakvik on a two-year contract, which has now extended into an eighth year.

He said the wrestling program aims to build resilience in participants and to instill the SA国际影视传媒渁bility to talk about problems and realize that you do have some choices, as difficult as they may be.SA国际影视传媒�

It also provides them with the opportunity to travel for training and competition, to see different things and get a better understanding of the world, he said. In addition to gruelling training and weight cutting during stays in the south, the young athletes engage in recreational activities such a horseback riding, go to museums and science centres and do some public speaking.

Crooks said he was thoroughly impressed by listening to Nunavut wrestlers take the stage as panellists at a high school in Hamilton, Ont. They discussed life in Nunavut, from the unique aspects of geography and culture to the solemn topics of crime, domestic violence and suicide.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome kids who ISA国际影视传媒檇 never heard speak were speaking amazingly well, and there were tears in the audience. That ability to be able to talk in a large group without shame about what your life is like is huge,SA国际影视传媒� said Crooks, who added that the wrestling program has lost some young athletes to alcohol poisoning and suicide.

Building from scratch

When he launched the sporting activity, there was nary a wrestling mat in the community. Consequently, the initial training sessions consisted of a lot of games, Crooks recalls.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just sort of opened it up to everyone,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the early days, adding that dozens of youth ages six to 16 showed up.

Although numerous grapplers showed promise, he spotted his star protege, Eekeeluak Avalak, on the playground. Avalak was 11 years old at the time, but Crooks said he could tell Avalak was a SA国际影视传媒減henomenal athlete.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 knew he had the physical capabilities,SA国际影视传媒� he remembers. SA国际影视传媒淲hen I took him to Iqaluit (for territorials), he won pretty handily and I realized at that point that he also had the mental abilities to become an outstanding wrestler.SA国际影视传媒�

Avalak went on to earn the silver medal among competitors under age 17 in the 55 kg weight class at the Canadian Wrestling Championships in 2019. After winning NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 first gold medal ever at the Canada Summer Games last August, Avalak gave credit to his teammates and SA国际影视传媒渕y father figure right here, my coach,SA国际影视传媒� referring to Crooks.

Cambridge BaySA国际影视传媒檚 Kristen McCallum also has a lot of positive things to say about the sport and the opportunities it has afforded her.

SA国际影视传媒淭he wrestling program means so much to me, not only on the mat but in my personal life as well,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e all comfortable with each other. I created a special bond with everyone and they will forever be family. Wrestling has helped me learn so much about myself: I learned to be patient, to have more self-control, to be open-minded, to learn and practice new things.

SA国际影视传媒淚t opened my mind to know that ISA国际影视传媒檓 capable to do anything I set my mind to. I recently lost a best friend to suicide. Wrestling became a safe place for me, it allowed me to take my frustration, hurt and sadness out in a healthy way, my coaches and teammates still support me,SA国际影视传媒� said McCallum.

And the sport has continued to grow. After-school wrestling sessions have spawned for students in Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 4 to 6. Fridays are designated for females only.

Territorial duties

Outside of building the Cambridge Bay program, Crooks stepped up to take over Wrestling Nunavut, the territorial board overseeing the sport, in 2018-19 with help from his wife and son. The previous board members had resigned and Wrestling Nunavut faced collapse without new blood.

Crooks also mentors adults in several other Nunavut communities who serve as wrestling coaches. They use videos that Crooks supplies to get a better understanding of the technical aspects of the sport.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 planning to spend the next year trying to ensure that the Cambridge Bay wrestling program and Wrestling Nunavut can remain sustainable after he moves back to the south for the long term.

Avalak attests to how CrooksSA国际影视传媒� tutelage has left an indelible mark.

SA国际影视传媒淐hris has made a huge impact on me, not only in wrestling but in my personal life as well,SA国际影视传媒� said the 19-year-old. SA国际影视传媒淎s a child, I was easily triggered, and I would lash out verbally and physically. Since he introduced me to wrestling, I was able to channel those tantrums through wrestling, and it helped me ease my temper. Because of Chris, I was able to travel to almost every province and territory to compete and train in the sport of wrestling. He also helped me get into a high school to upgrade some classes to get into university. He continues to play a huge role in my life, and I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be half the person I am today.SA国际影视传媒�

For more stories from Degrees of Success, click here: