Gadsden City High coach asks council for help funding girls wrestling, transport and equipment

Josh Nelson, head coach of the Gadsden City High School wrestling program, told the Gadsden City Council the program has grown rapidly and is adding a girls team that will require new equipment and transport capacity.

Nelson outlined program growth — seven dual wins in the first season, 14 the next — and said recent facility changes required the team to practice at the YMCA, a temporary arrangement provided by the mayor. He said known start-up equipment costs include singlets (he estimated roughly $1,200–$1,300 to outfit initial athletes), and that safe, reliable transport for large wrestling mats could require buying a trailer priced in the range of $3,000–$6,000. He also said full-size competition mats cost about $12,000.

Council members praised the program’s growth and asked Nelson to submit a formal written funding request to the city clerk’s office so the council and clerk can process any discretionary-fund request. A council member explained that discretionary contributions come from the city budget and must be routed through the clerk’s office to ensure proper processing and reporting. Nelson said the team currently has seven girls committed and that numbers typically grow as the season approaches.

Nelson described how the program has offset costs through fundraising (pancake days, donations), borrowing and mutual arrangements with other area teams, and assistance from the Gadsden City School System on transportation that should reduce some travel expenses next year. He said the program aims to keep student fees low and seeks city help mainly for singlets and a secure trailer to store and transport mats without damage.

Council members did not vote on funding at the meeting. They directed Nelson to file a written request with the city clerk’s office and said staff would circulate it to council members for consideration.