It seems silly that we classify sports as either “boys’ sports” or “girls’ sports.” Many of us would agree that football, baseball, and basketball are more masculine. As for volleyball, tennis, and figure skating, most of us would probably consider them feminine. Do we really have to see sports in this stereotypical manner?
One father, Ken Corcoran from Terrace, New York is changing how we view wrestling. Since as long as it’s been around, it has been a male-dominated activity. But after being inspired by his two daughters, Kendall and Makenna, who both happen to enjoy wrestling, and with the encouragement of his wife Danielle, the dad decided to start his own wrestling club for girls only.
The Team Alpha Girls Wrestling Club was kickstarted in 2015 at East Islip High School where females ages 5- to 18-years-old participate. So far, the club houses more than 50 girls, including Corcoran’s two daughters.
The father recalls his youngest, Makenna, and her early interest in the sport.
“She was probably 2 or 3 and my wife and I noticed that the only time she ever sat still was when she was either watching wrestling on TV with me or at tournaments,” Corcoran said.
But getting Makenna involved in wrestling was something that worried her mother. Feeling unsettled about her wrestling with boys, that’s when she suggested that her husband start wrestling for all females. He gladly took up the idea.
Although times have certainly changed since wrestling first started, 29 states still don’t have girls wrestling as an option at high schools. New York where the Corcoran family lives is one of those states.
“Until they sanction girls wrestling here in New York, then we’ll do what we gotta do to get the girls on a mat that want to be on a mat,” the father said.
This is a sad reality. Little do many people realize, girls across the nation can enjoy “toughest” sports like this just as much as the boys do.
“When I’m on the mat and I hear my dad on the side, I know that he loves me and he wants to get me more into the sport. It’s the best feeling a kid could ever have,” Makenna explained.
For Corcoran, he sees no difference between a male and female wrestler.
“I used to say, ‘Forget about the ponytail and look at them as wrestlers’ because there’s gonna be a point where the ponytail’s not gonna matter.”
Jessica Medina, a female wrestler, would be incredibly proud of Corcoran for empowering a change in the gender stereotype tied to the activity. For her, getting involved in wrestling has been a huge source of confidence in her daily life.
“I know that it takes courage to pursue wrestling. When I face new challenges in life or work, or building relationships, I feel confident in myself, because of my experiences in wrestling.” she said.
Females both young and older could benefit in a similar way if they had access to a wrestling club that accepted them as a person interested in wrestling rather than singling them out for their gender. Would you agree?
Learn more about the Team Alpha Girls Wrestling Club below.
