Professional wrestlers visit local youth in Bellaire
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Photo Provided Professional wrestlers from Mon Valley Pro attended the R.L. Strength and Conditioning training on Wednesday. The wrestlers will also be performing in Bridgeport on Feb. 3, and half of the ticket sales will support R.L. Strength and Conditioning.
BELLAIRE — Professional wrestlers from Mon Valley Pro attended the R.L. Strength and Conditioning training on Wednesday.
Rick Leigh, founder of the nonprofit, said that the program “gets kids off the street and active for free.”
R.L. Strength and Conditioning hosts free training for all school-aged youth and currently supports over 60 kids in the Ohio Valley. A handful of new members signed up on Wednesday evening.
Several wrestlers showed up in costume to train with the kids and give motivational speeches.
The wrestlers will also be performing in Bridgeport on Feb. 3, and half of the ticket sales will support the R.L. Strength and Conditioning Summer Bash.
The event on Feb. 3 will start at 6 p.m. at Rick Diamond’s Wrestling Studio located at 857 Main St., Bridgeport. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and tickets will be $20 each.
Leigh said that he is grateful for the support.
“They wanted to do this to help the kids in the community, so we teamed up,” he said.
Leigh said that he has been working closely with Jason Russo, the promoter of Mon Valley Pro Wrestling.
Leigh had a wrestling ring set up at the training so that the kids could practice wrestling.
Leigh said that plans for the summer bash are already underway. The event will take place on July 24 at Hidden Hills Event Center. He said that anyone who misses the event on Feb. 3 can watch an MVP eight-man wrestling tournament during the event.
Also planned so far for the summer bash, local barber William Zimmerman will be doing free back-to-school haircuts for kids.
A dunk tank will also be set up at the event, and Leigh will be one of the “victims.” Each throw will cost $1.
The event will also feature balloon animals and other family-friendly activities.
Louie Balk will also be DJing at the event.
Updates and more information on the summer bash can be found on the R.L. Strength and Conditioning Facebook page.
R.L. Strength and Conditioning started in 2020 with only three children participating.
“Any kid in the valley that is at school age from kindergarten to senior year is welcome for free,” Leigh said.
The free training program takes place from 5-7 p.m. every Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to noon every other Saturday at Bellaire Presbyterian Church. Any youth interested in joining can show up for the free program. A parent or guardian will have to sign a waiver before the training starts.
A press release from R.L. Strength and Conditioning stated: “Our mission is to give the kids something to do, hopefully keeping them out of trouble. Sometimes, all a kid needs is to fill a void. Over the years we have grown even bigger than keeping kids out of trouble, we have a lot of kids that range from simply needing something to do, just wanting to stay active, needing a place to fit in, help with mental health, etc.”
For more information, visit the R.L. Strength and Conditioning Facebook page or call 304-780-8436.