Club donates wrestling mat to Ferri Middle School
The sport of wrestling just recorded a pin, an off-mat move that will further boost programs at three different levels in Johnston.
“This is an insurance policy for the kids who wrestle in Johnston,” Lisa Baccala, president of the Johnston Youth Wrestling Club (JYWC), said last Wednesday afternoon inside the Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School gymnasium. “This is the second time our organization has made such a significant donation.”
Baccala, who was joined by JYWC coaches John Antonucci and Roland Martino Jr., was actually standing on a blue wrestling mat that measured 42 feet by 42 feet that the outstanding youth wrestling program donated to the Johnston middle school.
Two years ago, the JYWC donated a similar mat to Johnston High School for the Panthers’ varsity and junior varsity wrestling teams.
She said the JYWC purchased the mat at a cost of $7,100, and that “it is a much-needed mat that will certainly help the middle school wrestling team.”
The mat was manufactured by Tiffin and was only used once, Antonucci said during last week’s official unveiling, and that was for a tournament in nearby Massachusetts. The mat, which is done in blue, also features huge white letters in two corners that read “FMS” for Ferri Middle School.
The JYWC is officially sanctioned by USA Wrestling and is open to all Rhode Island children ages six to 14.
“We stress pride, perseverance and honor in our organization,” Baccala said. “This is an important program that helps youngsters grow on and off the mat. There’s a lot of pride in Johnston wrestling … We want to give back whenever we can. This mat will benefit every Johnston youngster who is involved in wrestling at one level or another.”
The JYWC, she added, focuses on developing strong basic fundamentals and structure in the sport of wrestling for boys and girls while also developing their character, discipline, and self-confidence.
The JYWC season began Monday night, and practices are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Johnston High School cafeteria. Baccala said any child who missed pre-season registration is still welcome to participate and may sign up during the aforementioned hours.
The 2016 season holds high promise for a number of Johnston wrestlers, and Baccala announced that the JYWC will hold a huge 50/50 raffle to raise funds to offset the recent purchase of the much needed mat the club has donated to the Ferri Middle School wrestling team.
Tickets will go on sale Nov. 10, and the drawing will be held on Dec. 15. Tickets may be purchased during JYWC practices or by calling 401-952-9509.
While Baccala serves as president, Antonucci is the program’s head coach/treasurer and Martino Jr. is the coach.
There are also other volunteers who Baccala said “serve as our dedicated and skilled coaches.” They are Brett Polofsky, David Squillace, Jay Baccal, and Josh Acceturo.
