Ascendancy is dedicated to creating athletic kids who are strong, coordinated, and confident. To that effort we've created Athletic Foundations, our physical competence program aimed at children and youth in grades 1-5. Its goal is to establish and reinforce physical literacy and develop an athletic base through wrestling-based exercises that cross over into other sports and active endeavors. Students learn the fundamentals of athletic movement and safe, controlled physical contact through guided movement and wrestling drills. In addition we utilize game-based instruction methods in which kids quickly grow the skills and confidence necessary to be competent in a sporting environment, regardless of sports experience.

Athletic Foundations takes a challenging-but-fun-first approach to training, as we believe that fun is the entry point to dedication! At Ascendancy, our kids play hard without realizing they're working hard too.

We value a friendly, supportive environment for youth to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Through the avenue of wrestling, we seek to provide children and youth with the tools necessary to handle life's many challenges. We encourage young people to realize their greatest potential even through adversity and that they,  too, can enrich the world around them in their own ways.

Ascendancy encourages family participation on the mats. To that effort we offer discounts to families with more than one member in our programs, and parents are encouraged to get in the mix to offer support. Ascendancy makes for a great workout, and quality bonding time for all of your loved ones.

Varsity Wrestling classes offer a more focused look at the physical contact aspects of various sports, in which students develop mastery of techniques, abilities, and concepts to overcome resisted physical challenges. Varsity classes feature technical drills to learn new movements, game-based exercises to reinforce skills, and occasional sparring to develop composure under pressure in a safe environment. 

The Varsity program further builds on established athletic bases from any sport, and is an invaluable option for athletes who compete in hockey, football, and rugby. However, the program is also accessible to teens and tweens who are athletic beginners to heighten coordination and physical literacy.

Though youth in grades 5+ are the main focus, adults are welcome to take part in this program as well.

Ascendancy takes a unique approach to competition. Our practices have roots in folkstyle wrestling, commonly featured in American schools. As an American sport, there is currently no competition infrastructure for this style in Canada. However, we recognize the desire for our young athletes to test their newfound skills! 

Towards this effort, youth athletes are offered the occasional opportunity to become part of the Ascendancy Warriors Competition Team by wrestling in Dojo Storms, organized matches against grapplers of other disciplines. Ascendancy partners with nearby martial arts and grappling schools to organize casual school vs. school competitions, often using mixed rulesets that allow differing grappling styles to achieve common goals in their own unique ways. These experiences serve as a safe, low pressure method of acclimating youth to the rush and competitive urgency that comes with sporting environments without expensive competition costs. The overall goal is to foster acceptance and resilience in the face of defeat, grace and humility in the thrill of victory, and an positive overall sense of sportsmanship and team spirit.

Dojo Storms are announced and advertised on our Facebook and Instagram pages. The following is a list of our Dojo Storm partners, which will be updated as more are added on. Contact Coach Jeremy if you'd like to organize a competition for your school and have it added to our list.

Wolf Creek Martial Arts/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Ponoka, AB

*Inaugural Dojo Storm on May 25, 2025

*January 30, 2026

Seibukan Connection | Innisfail, AB

Are you a member of a BJJ  or MMA program wanting dedicated focus on standing grappling and ground control? Are you coming from another sport wanting to strengthen your skills in physical battles on the field? This program is just for you!

Combat Wrestling is a practical wrestling program that applies folkstyle wrestling techniques and concepts to combat sports and self defense, including environments where striking and submissions are a possibility. Students gain the skills and confidence to dictate where matches take place. It is intended for applications in combat sports such as Freestyle & Catch Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Mixed-Martial Arts, but skills gained also cross over to sports such as hockey, football and rugby. Wrestling techniques are also useful for personnel in professional endeavors such as Security, Law Enforcement, and other First Response teams.

Adults are the focus here, though all combat athletes aged 15+ are welcome. Experience in grappling, contact sports or physical combat is recommended, but beginners are welcome as well! We'll ease you in.

Ascendancy offers limited-time training camps using contact-based training for various goals and outcomes. Camp examples range from intro-to-wrestling, parent-focused wrestling, contact-based fitness and more. They're also a perfect way for hockey, rugby, and football teams to have dedicated time to improve contact skills, coordination, and conditioning!

Camps will be announced and advertised via our website and social media channels (Facebook and Instagram links can be found at the bottom of the page). Stay tuned to see what's being offered!

Take advantage of personalized private training to enhance your stand-up game or train for an upcoming competition! Privates are offered in 1-on-1, small group, and team sessions. 

Private training is open to anyone, members or non-members, but must be booked and paid in advance. Contact us for pricing and booking.

Genki Jiu-Jitsu is Red Deer's oldest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, initially beginning its journey as a Japanese Jujutsu program. Classes are taught by renowned Black Belt instructor, Professor David Bill, who brings decades of expertise to the very same mats Ascendancy trains on. The Genki Jiu-Jitsu program is affiliated under world-class instructor and 4th degree Black Belt and head instructor of Pacific Top Team Vernon, "Super" Dave Rothwell.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specializes in efficient grounded combat from top or bottom position. Jiu-Jitsu contrasts wrestling in that submissions are the ultimate goal rather than pins. Students learn to safely apply submissions, which consist of joint locks,  compression locks and chokes to quickly end matches with minimal chance of injury. Jiu-Jitsu training also has a strong reputation for allowing individuals to effectively grapple against larger, stronger opponents. As such, it is an invaluable tool for self-defense, especially when paired with wrestling. Genki Jiu-Jitsu classes are friendly to grapplers of all experience levels, including complete beginners. 

Ascendancy offers 2 membership bundles that provide access to Genki Jiu-Jitsu classes. Take advantage of the Wrestle-Jitsu Complete package, which includes all wrestling and jiu-jitsu classes, to get the best value in grappling!