A young wrestler in an Ireland singlet works for position on the blue competition mat at the Irish Open

Est. 1947 · Governing body for wrestling in Ireland

Irish Amateur Wrestling Association

The official governing body for Olympic Wrestling, Pankration and Grappling sports in Ireland — supporting clubs, coaches and athletes from under-10s to senior international level.

Open for entry

Registration for these competitions and courses is handled on the IAWA entry platform, not on this website.

Coaching course

I.A.W.A. Introductory & Level 1 Coaching Certificate Course

Accredited by Sport Ireland Coaching

Portlaoise Combat Academy, National Enterprise Park, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32 A588

Four days of practical and classroom-based coach education for anyone with an interest in wrestling, grappling, pankration or other combat sports. No prior coaching experience needed.

Weekends
Sat 7 & Sun 8 November and Sat 21 & Sun 22 November 2026, 09:00–17:00
Course fee
€250, including light lunch, tea and coffee on all four days and IAWA coaching certification
Places
Strictly limited to 16 participants
Closing date
Thursday 5 November 2026 — a place is only secured once registration and payment are received

Four fully funded places for female coaches who complete the course — the €250 fee is refunded to the first four eligible participants.

This link is for: Anyone with an interest or background in wrestling, grappling, pankration or other combat sports. No prior coaching experience is required.

Register for the coaching course (opens in a new tab)Course brochure (PDF)

Upcoming events

Competitions, open mats, coaching courses and association meetings for the current season.

All events
Sat 07Nov
Coaching Course
Sun 08Nov
Coaching Course
Sat 21Nov
Coaching Course

Wrestling in Ireland since 1947

The Irish Amateur Wrestling Association is the national governing body for the sport, affiliated to United World Wrestling. We oversee Olympic freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, Pankration and Grappling, and we support the clubs and coaches who deliver the sport week in, week out.

Our work covers safeguarding and Garda vetting, coach education, competition pathways and governance — so that everyone who steps on a mat in Ireland does so safely and to a single standard.

Young wrestlers compete on the mat at the 2026 Irish Open

Our Partners

We work with the national and international bodies that support wrestling in Ireland.

  • Coaching Ireland
  • Olympic Council of Ireland
  • Sport Ireland
  • United World Wrestling
  • Federation of Irish Sport member 2021

Get involved

Whether you want to compete, coach, officiate or help run a club, there is a route into the sport for you.