The Roger Robson Memorial Trophy will be awarded to a wrestler in a mixed-entry category, which includes both boys and girls under the age of 12. This includes any youngsters travelling within this year’s Icelandic and Breton contingents. The trophy was created in honour of Roger Robson, who was involved in the traditional Cumbrian sport for more than 70 years.
Mr Robson sadly passed away in January 2021, aged 78. He was a three-time champion at Grasmere and organised the event that wrestlers regard as the ‘pinnacle’ of the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling world’s tournaments. Mr Robson served as president of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association and encouraged the expansion of the sport to include female wrestlers.
Young girls engaging in Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show in 2022 (Image: www.grasmeresports.com) He was also a founder of the Carlisle Wrestling Club and formed links with other wrestling associations, particularly encouraging a relationship with Breton wrestlers.
His efforts led to the foundation of the International Federation of Celtic Wrestling in the 1980s. Since this time, Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show has welcomed both Breton and Icelandic wrestlers, with the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association also sending members to compete in both France and Iceland. Mr Robson's son followed him into wrestling but one of his proudest moments was seeing his granddaughter, Gemma Coulthard,.