Removing barriers. Creating opportunities.
Every kid deserves
a place on the mat.
The On The Mat Foundation exists to remove financial barriers so more kids can enter wrestling, belong to a team, and build a positive path in life.
Our vision goes beyond a wrestling room: a dedicated training facility where young people can find coaching, tutoring, meals, clothing, school support, and the gear they need to participate.
MAT CLASH Training Center Powered by The On The Mat Foundation
Free training.
One shared mission.
MAT CLASH Training Center, powered by The On The Mat Foundation, now operates with no registration fees, paid training cycles, or drop-in fees. Community donations through The On The Mat Foundation help sustain training and open the door for more kids to enter wrestling.
Families do not have to donate to participate. Our goal is to give young people consistent coaching, positive relationships, and a place to belong—regardless of what their family can afford.
The Training Center currently meets at East Ridge High School. A dedicated facility with tutoring, meals, clothing, school support, and a gear bank remains our long-term vision.
Our mission
Open the door.
Help them move forward.
A child's opportunity to wrestle should never depend on what their family can afford. We want to remove the barriers that keep kids from taking that first step—and give them reasons and support to keep coming back.
Through wrestling, caring mentors, and practical support, our goal is to help young people develop discipline, confidence, accountability, and a sense of belonging that carries into school and everyday life.
The future we are working toward
More than a facility.
A place to grow.
Our long-term goal is a true training and support facility in the Chattanooga area—a dependable home for wrestling and the resources kids need beyond the sport.
A dedicated training facility
A permanent home where kids can learn wrestling, build confidence, and find consistent coaching, positive mentors, and a team that believes in them.
Tutoring & school support
Space for homework help, tutoring, school supplies, and academic encouragement—so progress in the classroom matters alongside progress on the mat.
Meals & everyday essentials
Meals and a clothing closet to help meet basic needs and give young people the support to show up ready to learn, train, and grow.
A community gear bank
An inventory of wrestling shoes, singlets, headgear, and training essentials to distribute to kids who need them. The cost of getting equipped should never decide who belongs.
Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity should be, too.
Our purpose is to help more kids get started, stay involved, and see a future for themselves—with a community in their corner.
Building our permanent home
A bigger vision.
A community effort.
We are working on setting up a full-scale donation and fundraising program to help fund our goal of a dedicated MAT CLASH Training Center facility, powered by The On The Mat Foundation.
That future home would bring free wrestling training together with tutoring, meals, a clothing closet, school support, and a gear bank. Our aim is to give more kids access to the sport and the support to build a positive path in life.
Give directly to The On The Mat Foundation through PayPal, with one-time, monthly, or yearly options. Your gift supports the Foundation’s mission; our dedicated facility and expanded services remain goals we are working toward. Contact us about sponsorships, facility opportunities, or partnerships.
Follow the journey
Stay connected.
Follow @onthematfoundation and @matclashtc for training updates, community stories, and progress toward our future facility.
Build it with us
Help make room
for the next kid.
Families, coaches, businesses, educators, and community partners all have a role in making this vision possible. Connect with us about the way you would like to help.
Give or sponsor
Explore our Foundation support options or talk with us about sponsoring gear, everyday essentials, or the future facility.
Contribute gear & supplies
Contact us to coordinate wrestling gear, clothing, school supplies, or other items that could help remove a barrier for a child.
Volunteer or partner
Share your interest in tutoring, mentoring, coaching, meals, or facility support. Help us build the community behind the mission.