There has been quite a buzz in the Saskatchewan wrestling community following the decision by Sask Sport to freeze funding for the Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association.

Sask Sport administers the funding made available by the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund. Funds are given as grants to varying amateur sports groups around the province. SAWA was one of those groups.

Weyburn’s own Rick Ricard serves as the Vice President of Administration for SAWA and spoke of some the decisions made by Sask Sport.

“What’s happened is Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling has lost the ability to manage its own funds. This is being done through Sask Sport due to the issues of the past,” Ricard said. “In the past, former boards have been non-compliant with the Lottery Trust Funds in Sask Sports funding requirements.”

“These non-compliance issues are late reporting, inability to manage a budget. The other part is on the organization side. The board hasn't been able to manage itself - too much conflict of interest and general dysfunction,” he explained.

Sask Sport has a very clear set of protocols that must be in place and followed in order to receive annual funding. One of them is to have a stable board of directors, that have a clear vision for the organization in the coming years. When asked, Sask Sport declined a request for an interview.

Ricard says some specific measures were taken to make sure these requirements were met.

“We had a special general meeting with the membership, and the majority of the association was present. It was passed unanimously that we dissolve what was the Amateur Wrestling board, and with that we elected a new board moving forward.”

SAWA has been receiving funding from Sask Sport for over 40 years. The new interim board will try to make sure they receive their funds as soon as possible.

The actual dollar amount they receive varies from year to year. Ricard explains it relies on a number of factors.

“It’s based on membership. It’s based on programs that are run through the year. It’s hard to pin down a number on that,” he said.

Wrestlers in Saskatchewan will undoubtedly be affected this year, with coaches and officials development falling under those impacted by the freeze. The funding also goes toward programs all over the province, including ones at the grassroots level as well as high-performance athletes.

Ricard is looking to the future and is hopeful SAWA can right some of their wrongs. He says many in the wrestling community around the province hold the same belief.

“From the majority, there is a lot of energy. Everybody is excited about this change and being able to clean up and move forward to help grow the sport in Saskatchewan,” he said.