Call for Applicants - 2026-2027 Ontario Wrestlers' Educational Bursary

The Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association 

 Call for applicants for the 2026-2027 Ontario Wrestlers’ Educational Trust Fund!

OAWA Coach’s Bursary Scholarship – Teacher’s College

Introduction:

The Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association (OAWA) will once again award two Ontario Wrestlers’ Educational Trust Fund  (OWETF) Teachers College Bursaries this year.

The Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association (OAWA) is dedicated to advancing the sport of wrestling throughout Ontario. As part of our commitment to fostering growth and development within the wrestling community, we are pleased to offer the Ontario Wrestlers’ Educational Trust Fund Coach’s Bursary. This initiative aims to provide financial support and professional development opportunities to aspiring teachers who are actively engaged in coaching wrestling. By investing in these individuals, we seek to cultivate a robust network of skilled coaches who are also educators, thereby enhancing the quality and sustainability of wrestling programs across the province.

What is the Bursary?

The OAWA relaunched the OWETF Bursary program in 2025.  The first recipients of the bursary under the new format were:

Samantha Romero – from the Niagara Region, Samantha sent us the following update:

“I can’t believe we’re already at another cycle for the scholarship! I was happy to have used mine for some courses this summer and am looking forward to continuing my development. Right now, I am supply-teaching in elementary classrooms in Niagara while working toward full-time teaching in secondary schools. In terms of coaching, I have been coaching a youth wrestling program at Genius Fitness & MMA since June, and I am getting ready to start coaching the Welland Centennial Secondary School wrestling team this October. “

Adriano DiBenedetto – from Hamilton, let us know what he’s up to:

“I'm looking forward to the season starting too!  Right now, I am supply-teaching and coaching in Hamilton.”

Both Samantha and Adriano acknowledge the help from the Trust Fund in getting their teaching and coaching careers started.

The OAWA Coach’s Bursary is designed to offer financial assistance and professional development opportunities to individuals who meet the following:

  • Enrollment in an Ontario Faculty of Education (Teachers’ College).
  • Active involvement in Competition Introduction coaching, with a preference for those aiming to establish or enhance a club program.
  • Must have an NCCP number with modules completed to be eligible to apply.
  • Must be an OAWA member, but bonus points if registered as an official, or registered as a coach.
  • To apply, the candidate must provide a letter of support from an NCCP Comp/Int. (minimum) Certified Coach they are working under the guidance of.
  • The candidate, to be eligible, must confirm that they intend to teach in Ontario and coach a program.
  • The candidate, to be eligible, must provide proof of registration for September 2026 to a recognized Teachers’ College program – a foreign school will be accepted if there is a recognized pathway to qualifying to teach in Ontario.
  • A background in wrestling, either as a current or former athlete.
  • Prior recipients are not eligible for the Bursary.


To apply, candidates are asked to send the following to OAWA:

  • A letter/e-mail expressing interest.  The candidate should provide a summary of their wrestling involvement and hopefully coaching background.  The candidate must also confirm that they intend to teach in Ontario and coach a program.
  • The candidate must confirm they are a full-time member of the OAWA including if they are registered as a coach or official.
  • Their NCCP Coaching Number.
  • A letter of support from an NCCP Comp/Int. (minimum) Certified Coach the Candidate is working under the guidance of.
  • Proof of registration for September 2026 to a recognized Teachers’ College program – a foreign school will be accepted if there is a recognized pathway to qualifying to teach in Ontario.

Please submit your material to OAWA care of Tim MaGarrey at admin@oawa.ca E-mail Tim in advance with any questions.

 Please submit your application by October 16, 2026.