Crowsnest Wrestling Camp to provide unique training experience

By Lethbridge Herald on June 20, 2025.

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By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

University of Lethbridge Pronghorn wrestling is heading up through a partnership with Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association a competitive training ground for the Team Alberta men’s wrestling team and an opportunity for young wrestlers to sharpen their mat skills ahead of a new season during the Crowsnest Wrestling Camp in a couple of weeks at the University of Lethbridge.

“This is more for your seasoned wrestlers who are looking to get an edge on the competition in the fall,” said Shawn Daye-Finley, who is the U of L wrestling head coach, the camp’s head clinician and Team Alberta men’s wrestling head coach for the CSG.

The co-ed camp gives the opportunity for both female and male wrestlers that are ages 14 plus a chance to improve their performances and skills through eight high-level on-mat sessions in an environment that is challenging and is high performance.

Those wrestlers will get to train with members of the Team Alberta men’s roster, who are mostly school aged, for the upcoming Canada Summer Games in St. John’s in August.

“So, really excited to provide an opportunity for local and southern Alberta wrestlers to train in an environment with the province’s best men in that age category,” said Daye-Finley.

There will be a mix of MMA fighters, CSG Alberta men’s athletes the U of L wrestling team and the 14 plus co-ed participants.

“You can’t get better at wrestling without good partners,” said Daye-Finley.

“It’s not too often the best kids in the province all gather in one place to train together, to learn from one another and cross-pollinate between different programs.”

The camp will be a preparation of sorts for the Alberta men’s wrestling team ahead of the CSG.

Wrestlers will hear past stories from motivational speakers with a notable one being Corey Robinson, who is a former athlete from Edmonton, and was Daye-Finley’s coach in middle and high school in Nova Scotia.

“We’re bringing him out as his profession is motivational speaking and he owns his own cross-fit gym in Basinview, Nova Scotia,” said Daye-Finley.

“We’re bringing him out to help get these athletes whipped into shape.”

Visualization exercises will be explored into.

“So, that they can picture themselves at the Games and what it’ll feel like,” said Daye-Finley.

Video review with be provided for the provincial team as most of the other provinces have selected their teams.

“A lot of us have already had matches against those different provinces at our national championships and other major competitions,” said Daye-Finley.

“We’re gonna be reviewing those and then setting up game plans with these athletes on how they’re going to get an edge on them and win.”

The camp runs July 3-6 at U of L and registration can be done at http://www.cognitoforms.com/LethbridgeAmateurWrestlingAssociation/_2025CrowsnestWrestlingCamp.

There will be a try-it event for new wrestlers on July 8 with that information being available through Lethbridge Sport Council.

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