The surge in enthusiasm for the wrestling club at West Lakes Academy is a very good example of what community learning may mean in practice. The club, which was actually first established by Alex Price at Wyndham two years ago, connects with a power source that runs deep in West Cumberland traditions as the perennial popularity of the Cumberland wrestling events at Crab Fair goes to show. Mastery of the techniques of this discipline, which requires strong, unbroken grips, is bound to enhance the performance of rugby forwards in the scrum, whether we are thinking of the League or Union disciplines of Rugby.
It is impossible to talk to Alex without catching immediately a sense of the energy and enthusiasm which he transmits to his pupils. Himself a powerful wrestler and Buttermere champion, he speaks with fire of the ability of the young wrestlers he has practising in the club. Alex speaks warmly of the "massive potential" of 15 year old Jordan Martin, who lives in Cleator. Blake Mahovic, one of the mainstays of Egremont Rangers' formidable Under 16 Rugby team, and Paul Murray carried off the Wasdale Under 15 and Under 18 championships last year respectively, while Paul Murray is world champion at the Under 15 8 stone class. He has fought not only on local show fields but in Newcastle, France and Tenerife. Paul and club mate Matt Daglish both expect to be competing at Crab Fair.

Alex hopes that the club will attract even more interest in a few weeks' time when Tom Porter of Waberthwaite comes to coach its young members. Alex has his eye on a programme of points nights, with scores being counted towards a championship at the end of the year. He also hopes to introduce Olympic style wrestling after Christmas. The sky’s the limit as far as competition goes, but the great thing about the sport is the confidence it builds and the respect it teaches both for your opponent and for yourself.