Dawson Creek BJJ club highlights benefits of cross-training for young athletes with program

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — With the competitive swimming and hockey seasons ending, a Dawson Creek gym is encouraging kids to give Brazilian jiu-jitsu a try.

Evan Ollenberger, head coach and co-founder of Legend Martial Arts Academy in Dawson Creek, is passionately recruiting toddlers to youth to hit the mats and learn the sport.

Legend started as a hobby gym back in 2022 and has since grown to over 150 members, with its primary event, the Legend Grand Prix, first taking place in 2023.

Ollenberger was motivated to begin a cross-training program after speaking with his friend and Dawson Creek Senior Canucks forward Brett Norman.

“[We] were talking one day and we spoke about what made us successful athletes,” said Ollenberger. “[Brett] played in hockey in the US, and I have fought at nationals in kickboxing. 

“We’re both highly-successful athletes and realized one of the reasons we were able to excel is just because we played other sports.”

According to Ollenberger, certain aspects of a secondary sport can diversify an athlete’s skills.

Recruiting players from the Dawson Creek Minor Hockey Association and Seals Swim Club in the area, he says there are several fitness benefits to cross-training.

“[We work on] building core strength, coordination, flexibility and even the mental aspect,” said Ollenberger. “Hockey is a little more physical than swimming, but balance is something important as well.

“[Athletes] will get to practice certain things more often in other sports than you do in your first sport. It will also reinforce other skills as well.”

Ollenberger adds huge things are happening at Legend, with several athletes scheduled to participate in Saint Albert, Alberta at the True North Grappling Championship Spring Open on March 15th.

He says kids who give BJJ a whirl may find it interesting and make the cross-over experiment their primary sport.

“We do have kids that discover that they do fall in love with this sport and it becomes their first sport,” said Ollenberger.

More information about the gym or how to join the cross-training program is available on Legend’s Facebook page, or by calling Ollenberger at 778-675-7375.