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, win the Grasmere Ladies Open in 2019.
Linda Scott, who will become Grasmere Sports wrestling manager in 2025 when current manager Chris Bland steps down, said: "It will be a really huge honour for one young wrestler to win this trophy and be the first holder of it. "Roger was a very special man, who did a huge amount for wrestling, having initially been inducted into the sport by his father and uncles. "We are delighted that his family will be in attendance to present the trophy at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show and be part of what will be one youngster’s very proud moment.
" Roger Robson with his granddaughter, Gemma Coulthard, who won the ladies Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling title in 2019 (Image: www.grasmeresports.com/Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Association) The wrestling programme at Grasmere will also feature a World Championship for under-18 wrestlers under 10 stone.
Ms Scott said: "This is an opportunity for slighter teenage wrestlers to have a stab at a world title, in a category that can be dominated by heavier wrestlers, if no weight limit is applied. "Having the chance to lift a world championship trophy should be another great incentive for those slightly older wrestlers not eligible for the Roger Robson Memorial Trophy and often not able to compete on the same playing field as heavier wrestlers in their age group." Grasmere Sports chairman, John Hibbert, said: "We are delighted to be able to honour Roger Robson with this new trophy; a true tribute to all he did for the sport.
"Roger would no doubt be proud to see that the wrestling programme at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show will be as vibrant as ever, producing a real spectacle for the crowds that flock to the wrestling open-air arena. "In this amphitheatre type environment, with all the beauty of the fells around them, wrestlers will give their best and put on a real show, from the moment the referee issues the instruction ‘on guard.’”.
