2024-05-01
New Ross club hosts armwrestling provincials
NEW ROSS - The New Ross Wrist Rollers (NRWR) will host the 2024 provincial arm wrestling championships next week.
The armwrestling club, formed within the last couple of years, will host this year's that will be held at the Forties Community Center May 11 and will draw competitors of all ages from across the province.
"This is going to be amazing! This is the first time that provincials has ever been held in New Ross because we're a new club... It's actually an honour to be asked to host this year," said Laura Broome, of the NRWR.
Broome hopes the community will come out and support the arm wrestlers at the provincial tournament that will feature several locals compete in many different divisions from under-four through to the seniors. "It's just like nothing I've ever seen before - like no other sport."
Every year, since around 1991 the NSAA (Nova Scotia Armwrestling Association) has held tournaments at the New Ross Fair. It draws in a large crowd, invites cheering, and the energy is electric. "It's one of the highlights of the fair; the armwrestling, and it has been for over 30 years." said Broome.
The New Ross Family Resource Center, Broome's place of work, was looking for family friendly programs. Broome remembered the support and excitement she'd witnessed at the fair and thought that an armwrestling club would be a great idea. They were able to take out two grants that allowed them to purchase a table and supplies.
The club started small but now, nearly two years later, they have over 10 that regularly attend practices with many more on their roster. Typically, practices are held on Sundays. They have a Facebook group called New Ross Armwrestling and there is another Facebook group, NS Provincial Arm Wrestling Tournament, where more information regarding provincials can be found.
Broome said one of the attractions of the sport is that it is one that anyone can participate in, no matter the age or ability, and armwrestling is a close-knit, welcoming community.
"Everybody can come to this. There's not a lot of sports where you can go and mom and dad and kids can all participate," said Broome. People from two years old to those in their 60s have pulled with the New Ross Wrist Rollers, proving that age isn't a relevant factor.
"It's not just getting together to get stronger, there's a lot of techniques learned and it builds your self esteem," said Broome who afterwards elaborated on how welcoming the armwrestling community is. "It's just a whole network of amazing people that if you need something or have a question they will answer you."
