Girls in wrestling is nothing new, but what is? A girls’ only wrestling team in the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA), open to grapplers in grades K to 8.

The winter season is just around the corner, and girls have the option to practice apart from the boys for the first time, and will be able to compete in all-girls tournaments. They will still have the option to wrestle against boys during the traditional boys-led co-ed competitions.

“Girls’ wrestling is growing fast. As the largest program in New England, we are past due to start our girls’ team. While we always have 6-12 wrestlers we felt we could grab more athletes if we had a girls’ only practice,” said Nick Veneziano, president of NYWA, who has a daughter, Ellie, on the Newtown team, along with a son Camron, who also competes in the program.

Sign-ups for the winter season are ongoing, but Veneziano anticipates having 15 to 20 girls on the new squad.

“When NYWA started there wasn’t much of demand for youth wrestling. Now we are a staple within the community. Our goal is to do the same with the girls’ squad,” Veneziano said of the program that got going in 2005.

NYWA alum Esther Ribiero, 2021-22 state champion while competing for Bethel High, will join the youth organization’s coaching staff for the girls’ workouts on Thursdays.

The winter campaign runs November 2 through February 23 and programs are offered for all ages. NYWA wrestlers participate in local meets and tournaments throughout Connecticut and New England. More experienced wrestlers also participate in regional and national competitions.

*Little Hammers is offered for K-2 and is co-ed (5:30 to 6:30 pm Mondays and Wednesdays). Cost is $300.

*The Town and Travel teams for grades 3 to 8 are also co-ed (6:30 to 8:30 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). Cost is $425 for both town and travel.

*Girls’ K-8 team (5:30 to 6:30 pm, Thursdays only). Cost is $175 (no additional cost if registered for any of the co-ed squads).

Practices are held at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. For more information, and to register, visit newtownyouthwrestling.com.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.