Caithness wrestling promotion launches ‘urgent’ appeal for help to find Thurso home
Body slams, suplexes and roaring crowds have become a fixture in Caithness thanks to Combat League Wrestling – but now the region’s only professional wrestling promotion is issuing a heartfelt appeal as it looks to finally establish a permanent home in Thurso.
After more than a decade of powering up crowds and producing local wrestling stars, Combat League Wrestling (CLW) says it urgently needs the support of the community to help it find a suitable venue in the town.
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The grassroots organisation – which combines live “sports entertainment” with athletic-style wrestling training – has been running popular and well-attended shows in Thurso for nearly 13 years, but says repeated attempts to secure a local training base have hit a wall.
“Despite 12 years of providing entertainment and training local combatants, and numerous attempts, we have yet to secure a suitable Thurso location,” the group posted on Facebook this week. “Previous inquiries have been met with rejections, despite our established history, and council spaces are prohibitively expensive.”
CLW’s owners are now calling on residents, property owners and community leaders to help locate a space capable of housing their 16 foot x 16 foot wrestling ring – a vital piece of kit that can be stored flat against a wall when not in use.
The group currently trains at the Castletown Drill Hall.
Without a home base in Thurso, organisers say the future of their community-driven training and outreach is uncertain.
Co-owner Susan Hobbs said it was frustrating to see so many unused buildings in the town while their long-standing promotion continues to struggle for space. “There’s been a real decline in our local buildings and many empty spaces within the town that would be perfect for us,” she said. “It’s a shame to see all these unused spaces just sitting there.”
CLW has trained a string of local stars over the years – including Connor Rose, RJ Cash, Lad Chapman, Arkham, and The Harbinger – and brought in some of the biggest names on the UK circuit.
Their events have featured Scottish legend Glen Dunbar, rising UK talent Brodie Adler – and even WWE superstar Piper Niven.
Head coach and co-owner David Hobbs added: “We are independently run and very much self-funded. Our community has always been the backbone of Combat League Wrestling.
“Finding a home in Thurso would ensure we can continue to support our community and keep what’s now a multigenerational legacy alive.”
With a base in Thurso, CLW says it could expand to offer more open days, sessions, as well as its popular junior and "wrestle-fit" classes.
Anyone who can offer help or ideas is encouraged to contact Combat League Wrestling via their Facebook page.
