About Us
Hey, we've just started rolling!
About GYA Grapple Yukon Association is a not-for-profit sports association that is incorporated under the Yukon Societies Act on March 28th, 2022. We are the Territorial governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling in the Yukon. We are in the process to be an affiliate of Wrestling Canada and its official representative in the Yukon. GYA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is comprised of a cross section of community members from across the Yukon, with representation from the athletes, coaches, and officials. Our Board of Directors set the policy and direction of the Association. To support the Association's efforts, there are small number of volunteers who serve as coaches and in process of being officials, and who are in the process to liaise with the communities. Presently at it's infancy - there are approximately dozen plus registered members of the GYA - male and female wrestlers, coaches, and soon to be officials.
GYA Board 2021/2022
President Dave Gillis
VP Jason Basnett
Secretary Crystal McLean (started Sep 2022)
Treasurer Dan Poelman
Director Dan Hombert
Director Kulbir Gill
Director Aaron Jensen
Why Grapple?
The word wrestling was already used in few previous registered societies. Ugh the red tape and the lengthy process to reclaim a name...... The word grapple was not taken yet. Plus if you know the Yukon - we are small population and our athletes and coaches are typically involved in other sports as well. GYA does work with other combative sport organization and programs in collaborative effort to get the best of our members.
Transparency: Our Coaches
The Coach Transcript provides verification of a coach’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) credentials.
Permission to view the transcript were provided by the coach, along with their NCCP # and the coach’s last name. Click Coach Transcript to access the page.
- Jason Basnett 319335
- David Gillis 5988098
- Aaron Jensen 656953
- Dan Poelman 150708
- Kulbir Gill 6301924
NEWS / Current GYA Programs and GYA Affiliates
NEWS as of 01 Jul 2023
- Thank you to all those that tried out for Team NAIG and to those that continue to coach, mentor, train and offer their support - much appreciated!
- Practise Wrestle Team Yukon for NAIG (14 Feb - 14 Jul) @ YRTC 123 Copper Road
Sun 630pm-830pm
Wed 515pm -645pm
Fri 7-9pm
- Congratulations to those going to NAIG2023, Halfifax 15-23Jul2023 athletes: Eban, Jacob. Kayce; Coaches and support: Jason, Gabriel & Dan.
- Team NAIG is in Anchorage training with the Alaskans 6-13 July.
- NAIG athletes: Eban Basnett- <66 KG, Jacob Nickel- <66 KG, Kayce Saligo- <74 KG.
- NAIG Wrestling schedule:
Monday 17th July from 430pm-530pm AST team Yukon practise on mat# 3 shared with team PEI; 630pm-830pm is the draw master clinic.
Tuesday 18th July from 8am - 10am AST is weigh in/ body check; 10am - 11am is coaches technical meeting, 1pm - 9pm is competition.
Wednesday 19th July from 930-1030am AST is warmups; 1030am - 430pm is matched for placing and medal rounds; 430pm-630pm are the medal ceremonies.
Venue: Dauphne Centre, SMU (Saint Mary's University).
Media: online live link to follow.
Time: It’s 4 hour difference. Example 1pm AST (Atlantic Standard Time) is 9am YST (Yukon Standard Time).
NEWS as of 10 Mar 2023
- WE HAVE ANOTHER NAIG ID CAMP FOR WRESTLING!
- We need to have enough athletes to make a team, so please help us share them around!
- Open to indigenous youth ages 13 to 19 (born 2004 to 2008). NAIG will be held in Halifax, NS from July 15 – 23, 2023.
- There is no need to register in advance, it is a drop-in basis with a sign-up form at the door.
- Monday March 13th, 2023
- 95 Lewes Blvd (YASC Studio)
- 3:30-4:30pm
- For more info contact info@yasc.ca or call 867-668-2840
NEWS as of 04 Feb 2023
- Congratulations to the team at AWG! https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-wrestlers-arctic-winter-games-1.6735865
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_3AGYYhfjhw6c-andiC6xXvPXBQcdl9x
NEWS as of 01 Jan 2023:
- Zigg Pica with support of the school and members of the community has started an after school wrestling program in Watson Lake .
- Good luck to Team Yukon with athletes Jaymi, Leah, Lia, Liam, Harlan, Caleb and Gabriel with coaches/support Jason and Tonja going to the AWG 30 Jan to 02 Feb at Wood Buffalo, AB. https://yukon.ca/awg-team-yukon
ARCHIVES as of 23 Oct 2022:
1) Wrestling Tournament - Wed 23 Nov / afternoon at CSSC Mercier (beside FH School). Contact Jason Basnett
2) Wrestling - Team Yukon trial date for 2023 Arctic Winter Games @ Sat Dec 10, 2022 in Pelly Crossing. Contact David Gillis.
3) Polar Games - ground wrestling / grade 5. Contact Jason Basnett
4) Wrestling program / club: possibly in Haines Junction (stay tuned).
GYA Programs and GYA Affiliates as of 01 Jan 2023:
A) GYA Program: AWG (Arctic Winter Games) Yukon Wrestling Team - 29 Jan to 04 Feb 2023 in Wood Buffalo, AB Head Coach: Jason Basnett Team Manager: David Gillis Training Schedule: TBA, Location: YRTC (Yukon Regional Training Centre) 123 Copper Rd, Whitehorse. Team Fees: TBA. Ages: TBA.
B) GYA Program: NAIG ( North American Indigenous Games) Yukon Wrestling Team - 15 to 23 Jul 2023 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation (Nova Scotia). Head Coach: David Gillis Team Manager: Jason Basnett Schedule: TBA, Location: YRTC (Yukon Regional Training Centre) 123 Copper Rd, Whitehorse. Team Fees: TBA. Ages: TBA.
1) GYA Affiliate: Wolverines Wrestling Coach: Jason Basnett Schedule: Sun 630-830pm, Wed 515 to 715pm. Location: YRTC (Yukon Regional Training Centre) 123 Copper Rd, Whitehorse. Club Fees: $80 Ages: 13+.
2) GYA Affiliate: Selkirk Bears Wrestling Coach: David Gillis, Schedule: Tue & Thu 3:30-5pm, Location: Eliza Van Bibber School Gym, Pelly Crossing, Club Fees: free, Ages: all school student ages.
3) GYA Affiliate in progress: Name TBA Wrestling Coach: Zigg Pica, Schedule: Tue 3:15-4;15pm grades 3 -7 & Fri 5:30-6:30pm grades 4-7 & Sat 1pm teenagers/adults (13+), Location: Watson Lake Secondary School Gym, Watson Lake, Club Fees: free, Ages: school student ages in grade 3 and up / adults.
Wrestlers preparing for NAIG2023
Team is currently (6-13 July) at the Training Camp in Anchorage continue to train hard for the upcoming NAIG2023 in Halifax (15-23 July)