About Us
We Are Lakeland Legends
Welcome to Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy, where character is built, and champions are forged. The Academy is led by seasoned Wrestler & Grappler Coach Nick Papalia, and offers premier training for Wrestlers and Jiu Jitsu Players of all ages, sizes, and ability. It does not matter whether one is a beginner or one is a seasoned competitor. At Lakeland Legends, we are dedicated to nurturing talent, instilling discipline, building leaders, and fostering a sense of community. Join us on your journey to greatness both on and off the mat.
Coach Nick
Nick Papalia is a dedicated coach and referee with over 30 years of experience in wrestling and grappling. His journey in martial arts began in his youth, participating in multiple sports before focusing on wrestling and grappling. Training under esteemed coaches at Brock University and McMaster University, as well as at the Hamilton School of Martial Arts, Nick developed a passion for wrestling and grappling that he continues to share with his athletes.
Nick holds multiple qualifications from the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) of Canada, including specialized training in wrestling, sport nutrition, psychology of performance, and coaching ethics. He has completed certifications in topics like "Coaching for Life Skills" and "Coaching School Sport" and actively pursues further training. He also holds certifications from Safe Sport and the Alberta Amateur Wrestling Officials Association (AAWOA), alongside his international certification as an ADCC referee, earned during the 2022 World Championships in Las Vegas.
Nick has developed key partnerships with leading names in the wrestling and grappling world, including Luke Harris of Hayabusa Training Center and Ivan Ivanov of Suples Training Systems. These partnerships offer significant benefits to his club, including advanced curriculum integration, belt testing opportunities, and access to world-class training methodologies.
As the head coach at Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy, Nick combines his extensive background in wrestling, grappling, submission wrestling, and Jiu-jitsu with his commitment to helping athletes grow both in skill and character. He also leads high school wrestling programs in Cold Lake, having coached the Zone 7 team to a historic 4th place finish at the 2024 Alberta Winter Games, producing medal-winning athletes.
Nick's coaching philosophy is rooted in dedication, effort, and efficiency. His ultimate goal is to provide athletes with the best possible training while fostering a community built on respect, resilience, and character.
Coach Andrea
Andrea Papalia is an accomplished Child Life Specialist and educator with a passion for working with children, especially those with special needs and behavioral challenges. As co-founder of Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise in child development, education, and behavioral intervention.
With a Bachelor of Education focused on Primary/Junior education and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Child Health, Andrea has developed specialized skills in child and youth studies and community health sciences. She has taken additional courses in children’s literature and participated in the MedPlus program, demonstrating her commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth.
Professionally, Andrea has made significant contributions as an educator within the Lakeland Catholic School Board, Northern Lights School Board, and Lakeland First Nations School. She has worked with a broad range of students, including those with special needs, helping them develop strategies to overcome behavioral challenges while supporting parents in fostering a positive home environment.
Andrea’s extensive experience and compassionate approach to working with children and families make her an invaluable resource for the Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy community. As a mother of four, she is a source of inspiration to both her family and the community she serves.
The Papalia Kids
Champions in every way -The Papalia children—Riley, Adrianna, Lila, and Carter—are exceptional athletes and leaders, embodying hard work, dedication, and personal growth. Not only are they accomplished competitors, but they also strive to help others become the best versions of themselves.
Riley Papalia, a national-level wrestler, has placed 3rd and 4th at national events in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. She is a champion of the Alberta Winter Games and Alberta Open. As a leader in the teen and adult classes and coach in youth programs, Riley inspires her peers with her dedication and commitment.
Adrianna Papalia is an outstanding athlete in wrestling and jiu-jitsu. She has competed in the Alberta Winter Games and earned numerous medals in tournaments like the True North Grappling Competition and Alberta Opens. Adrianna’s competitive spirit, leadership and compassion make her an inspiration to her teammates.
Lila Papalia has also excelled in wrestling and jiu-jitsu at a high level. As a leader and coach in youth programs, Lila’s passion for competition and personal growth makes her a role model within the Lakeland Legends community.
Carter Papalia, an Alberta Open wrestling champion, has won multiple medals in Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu. Despite his young age, Carter’s dedication to training and competition is clear, and like his siblings, he leads by example in the youth programs.
Most Importantly we do this together, and all four are deeply involved in the family-run Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy. Riley, Adrianna, Lila, and Carter train rigorously while balancing other sports like football, hockey, and dance. They also pursue interests in philosophy, psychology, and sports science, growing as both athletes and individuals.
Each Papalia child is a champion in their own way, with their major focus on their attitudes, behaviors, and character development. They strive to embody what it means to be top-tier athletes and individuals.
Coach Neil
We are very proud to have Coach Neil Scott MacEachern on our coaching staff at Lakeland Legends. Neil brings over nine years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, specializing in no-gi grappling, and has spent several years honing his skills as both a competitor and coach. While Neil has competed in three tournaments and thoroughly enjoyed each experience (well, except maybe the first one—ask him about it!), his true passion lies in learning, teaching, and continuously improving.
Neil’s coaching style is a perfect fit for our club. He embodies the “white belt mindset,” always open to learning and refining his skills, no matter how advanced he already is and continues to become. His well-rounded approach to grappling—whether it’s wrestling, jiu-jitsu, or learning the finer details of any position—makes him an invaluable resource for our athletes. In 2024, Neil expanded his grappling knowledge by focusing more on wrestling, adding another layer of expertise to his game.
Whether he's training in world-class gyms, a friend’s matted basement, or even with strangers in Iceland, Neil is committed to the mat and to growing his understanding of grappling. His passion for the sport is evident in every interaction, and he genuinely loves seeing others succeed. We’re grateful to have Neil on our team, not only for his skill or that he is a great human being, but for his commitment to helping elevate the skill level of everyone around him.
Our Vision: WHAT WE DO
At Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy, we are dedicated to fostering resilient individuals who transcend the wrestling arena. Our commitment lies in sculpting world-class wrestlers and grapplers poised for global success.
Beyond wrestling excellence, our aim is to develop leaders, titans, and role models whom sociely admires and aspires to emulate. This is the environment we cultivate, and our system serves as a catalyst for personal transformation.
Our ultimate goal is to open our doors to the world, sharing our transformative journey and igniting a hunger for our culture, systems, and training. We aspire to set the standard for performance and character development.
Above all, we hold dear the lifelong friendships we form with our members and partners. Our legacy is not merely about victories; it's about empowering individuals to conquer life and etch a lasting mark of their greatness, in their way.
Mission: HOW WE DO IT
Every day, I show up, I'm developing my character, and I'm striving for excellence.
I commit to living by the following principles in every area of life:
Positive Attitude:
I bring positivity to everything I do, inspiring others with optimism.
Gratitude:
I am thankful for, and I embrace all opportunities as, milestones on my path to growth and success.
Power and Tenacity:
I confront challenges with unwavering determination, never yielding to adversity.
Fearless in Mistakes:
I'm not afraid to make mistakes. I embrace failures as essential feedback for my growth.
Commitment and Discipline:
I maintain steadfast to the commitments I make and am disciplined in their execution I show up for myself even when my motivation wanes.
Resilience and Perseverance:
I will never give up. I always bounce back stronger.
I'm guided by these principles IN MY PURSUIT OF PERSONAL EXCELLENCE.
Partnership / Affiliation Details
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locations served
Cold Lake & Surrounding Areas
Other Locations – Coming Soon
