The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit, Wigan, is famous around the globe as the original home of Catch As Catch Can Wrestling. Dates available via the website.

Roy Wood is our Head Coach and trained under the great Billy Riley. He is one of the most respected wrestling coaches in the world and carrying on Billy's legacy was given to Roy Wood. Billy also coached Billy Robinson, Karl Gotch and many other great Catch Wrestlers. Roy runs seminars and training weeks at "The Snake Pit" and hosts the Snake Pit Catch Wrestling World Championships. Catch accredi

16/04/2026

this is an awesome photo showing 4 different generations of wrestlers linked to the snakepit. Sensei Osamu made a return visit back to Wigan last year to bring his student the very talented to the world championships. So coach Rikk Georgiades organised a training session a few days before the event so the master Roy Wood gave us an unforgettable training session. Roy is a hero to so many people that he has trained and mentored over the years and without him true authentic Billy Riley catch wrestling may have been lost to time. We at the snakepit are truly grateful for all he has done. Thank you Roy the master Wood
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15/04/2026

Here we have coach Greg Crompton demonstrating a counter to when your opponent counters your fireman’s carry takedown. We are very lucky to have coach Greg as our head coach he has been training under the master Roy Wood since his early teenage years and you can very clearly see this when you learn from him. We have a catch for bjj workshop at the end of the month 26/04/26 so do not miss your chance to train with coach Greg and get yourself booked on to the workshop via the snakepit website.

01/04/2026

At the Snakepit we are all about community: that's why we want to help include those who keep ours strong💙 If you and some colleagues want to get involved with Catch, we want to make it easier than ever for you. From everyone at the Snakepit, we thank you for all your hard work! 🤼

24/03/2026

Here's a quick timeline of Snakepit events between now and July, including the 2026 British Championships 🤼 We'll be hosting our second Beginners' Course too! If you'd like to bring a friend or your team along to any event, send us a DM💪🏼 Let's make 2026 the biggest year of Catch yet🔥

19/03/2026

Would hate for you to miss out 🤷🏻‍♂️

09/03/2026

Catch Wrestling means more. Brotherhood, grit, mastery of technique.

05/03/2026

Win by pin? Or win by submission? 👀

25/02/2026

Feels like yesterday 😮‍💨 We hope you're training, it won't be long before we announce our 2026 World Championship plans... who takes the crown this year? Let us know who you've got for a title 👇🏼👇🏼 New champions? Or dynasties established? 🤔

21/02/2026

Awesome Catch for kids Interclub today! Today we have the pleasure of hosting one of our favourite clubs Bradford Wrestling Academy at our gym. 41 kids on the mat and a room crammed with parents and family cheering their kids on. What a brilliant day! Fantastic atmosphere and amazing wrestling, respect and discipline! Roll on the next one! 🤼🤼

Fantastic day! Brilliant wrestling, brilliant atmosphere and always a pleasure to work with The Hawthorn family! Great to see their club thriving! How could it not win it’s headed up by an entire family and generations of world class wrestlers. Including Snake Pit former two time Catch World champion . Here’s to many more interclubs! 🤼

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Our Story

Welcome to all. If you have got this far I can only assume that you have a love for Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling. Well you are right at home! We are passionate about Catch and it’s in our blood and our shared passion for the sport brings us together. Our roots trace back to Riley’s Gym in Wigan, United Kingdom, the historic coal mining town where some of the greatest wrestlers in the world originated.

Well the good news is we are looking for the next generation to keep Catch alive. Catch is at risk of being forgotten as there are only a few remaining people in the world who carry the knowledge of the sport, a sport which goes back to the earliest of times and was about to be forgotten. The time is now and we are taking action!

That’s right this is where the UK revival kicks off! Roy Wood has agreed to coach Catch to a select group of people who can be trusted to not dilute, change or distort the original sport of Catch. He wants to get this ball rolling quickly as at the age of 69 he has a lifetime of knowledge to give out and is acutely aware that this information needs to be passed to the right hands. The good news is…. Roy is the fittest 69 year old man you will ever meet and when you see him on the mat demonstrating throws, take downs and submissions we promise you … you will be in awe. This sport is not for the faint hearted or for spectators. It is for only those willing to have a “no holds barred” attitude and willing to get on the mat and speak through their actions not their words. If that’s you then …a huge welcome from Coach Roy Wood. Feel free to browse our website for more info and pictures and ultimately submit your application to attend The Snake Pit Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling seminars.

Location

Wigan

Telephone

+447553164797

Website

http://www.snakepitwigan.com/

Address

The Fields, Off Wigan Rd, Aspull
Wigan
WN2 1PJ

Opening Hours

Monday	6:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday	6:30pm - 8:30pm
Thursday	6:30pm - 7:30pm
Friday	6:30pm - 8pm