Important Information about Sanctioned Events

September 6, 2026

OAWA Member Clubs, Coaches, Officials, and athletes are reminded that OAWA Membership Insurance covers Clubs, Coaches, Officials and Participants for OAWA Sanctioned events and training activities.

OAWA Members are also reminded that as a condition of your membership in the OAWA, when you sign your membership waiver you agree not to participate in unsanctioned events.  Doing so is a violation of the OAWA Code of Conduct and can make you subject to Disciplinary Action.

OAWA Membership insurance covers Activities Sanctioned by the OAWA.  To better understand what are considered sanctioned activities, and what insurance coverage is in place, members are invited to review the OAWA’s OAWA Insurance Program Brochure

Training and other Club functions that are part of a recognized Wrestling

Events that are not sanctioned by the OAWA are not covered.  Members are reminded that they should check that such events are sanctioned by the OAWA.  As per the Ontario Combative Sports Act,, Competitions that are held as part of the curriculum or extra-curricular programming of a school or private school within the meaning of the Education Act, a university or a college do not require OAWA sanction to be legal.  These events are not covered by OAWA Insurance unless co-sanctioned by OAWA.  Check with OAWA if you are uncertain.

Combative competitions are controlled by the Ontario Ministry of Sport.  For information on how the government of Ontario handles Combative Sports, click HERE

If you are considering participating in a Wrestling Competition, ask yourself:

• Is the Event Legal? Is the event sanctioned by OAWA or is it a school event as noted above?  Alternately, the event can be sanctioned by the Ontario Athletics Commission (OAC).  Events sanctioned by the OAC are legal but are not covered by OAWA Insurance. 
• Check with the Event Host to See what insurance they have and if it covers you.  The OAC requires events they sanction to carry minimum $2 Million in Commercial Liability Insurance.  This may not give you any insurance coverage.  Ask them.

The OAWA is aware of a ‘Takedown Tournament’ taking place in Toronto on September 12, 2026.  We understand this event is sanctioned by the Ontario Athletics Commission.  So, the event is legal and participating in it will not violate OAWA Code of Conduct.  However, the event is not sanctioned by OAWA so is not covered by OAWA Insurance.  We recommend athletes, coaches, and in particular officials considering participating in the event contact the event hosts to determine what if any insurance coverage is in place.

If you are not sure about an event and if it is sanctioned by OAWA or covered by OAWA Insurance, contact OAWA.  E-mail Tim MaGarrey at admin@oawa.ca 

 Thank you from your Ontario Wrestling Management Team.