Parents and advocates press board for dedicated coaching and support for girls wrestling
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Summary
Parents, coaches and community members told the board that Roseburg’s girls wrestling program lacks dedicated coaching time, appropriate equipment and a distinct team identity; they urged the district to ensure the newly hired coach provides full support to girls on the mat.
Multiple public-comment speakers urged the Douglas County SD 4 Board to provide stronger, gender-specific support to Roseburg High School’s girls wrestling athletes. Robert Hesselton told the board the district posted and hired a coach but that student athletes report the job is not being carried out at a level that supports the girls as a standalone program.
Richard Roche, speaking as a representative of the girls wrestling team, gave an extended account of alleged ongoing problems: players feeling unwelcome, being forced to use boys’ singlets, coaching staff unfamiliar with girls wrestling techniques, and the absence of a distinct girls team record or identity. Roche presented a proposed plan for separate practice space, a dedicated coaching schedule and promotion and fundraising ideas to build a sustainable girls program.
Board response and next steps Board members thanked the commenters and asked that written materials be emailed to the board so members can review the proposed plan. Superintendent Cordon and other district leaders acknowledged that a coach was hired after a job posting and invited additional documentation so the administration and the board could examine the concerns and potential solutions.
Representative quotes "After I spoke the last time, the district did post a job and has since hired a coach for the girls," Robert Hesselton said. "They deserve coaching for them. They deserve to have a legit team, their own records, to truly be the first girls team in Roseburg history," Richard Roche said.
What the public asked for Speakers asked for: guaranteed 100% dedication of the girls’ coach to girls wrestling time, separate technique training and practice space, appropriate uniforms and recognition of a true girls team rather than folding girls into the boys program. The board asked commenters to submit their written plans by email for distribution to all board members.