Beat the Streets Tampa Bay, a non-profit dedicated to reaching children in underserved communities through the sport of wrestling, has partnered with the University of South Florida men’s wrestling coach, James Lawless, to bring children from underserved communities to a wrestling camp at Fivay High School.

Wrestling Camp Expansion

Lawless is hosting a wrestling camp this week for children of all ages around the Tampa Bay area, from his college wrestlers to children who are just learning their footing on the mat. The non-profit works with children from several different Boys and Girls Clubs and a community center in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

According to Lawless, the camp provides opportunities for children who may not otherwise have the physical or financial resources to participate in wrestling. "I wanted to run a wrestling camp for kids of all different talent levels, but also with some kids that can’t necessarily afford to go to wrestling camp outside the state or within the state," he said.

Shaniyah Phillips, 16, is part of Beat the Streets and has been wrestling for about a year. She says one of her teachers recruited her to wrestle and since trying it, she hasn’t looked back. "I actually love it," Phillips said. "It helps me with everything. It helps me manage everything I’ve got going on."

Athletic Mentorship Impact

Lawless believes that wrestling teaches children valuable life skills, such as dealing with adversity and perseverance. "Wrestling teaches you to deal with adversity," Lawless said. "It teaches you that you have to not have that victim mindset and keep pushing forward through adversity."

Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.