Swift Current Friendship Centre Boxing Club continues to grow
- Carol Low | February 15, 2015
Swift Current Friendship Centre Boxing Club has come a long way since September 2005.
That was the start of our first year with Coach Mike Kucik. Earl Monkman and Mike Kucik worked together and our first year was amazing.
The gym was located at the Swift Current Entrepreneurial Centre on the corner of 6th Ave.N.E. and George St. Rival Boxing rep Julia from Montreal helped us tremendously in getting equipment, and she continues to take great care of us to this day.
Our competitive boxer then was Cody Yolland. Mike was coaching Cody at his club Grassland Boxing Club in Ponteix. Mike Tiglik was the club's first competitive Aboriginal Boxer
We made our move in 2006 to our permanent location on North Railway and our competitive boxers list grew. The boxers were excelling, but tensions were high and in 2008 Mike Kucik left to form another club in Swift Current. So under Earl’s direction and insight we had a new instructor, Rob Hattum.
Rob had trained under Mike Kucik and was willing to work with Earl and the club continued. Our competitive boxers under Rob and Earl’s tutelage were father/son duo Jarid and Brad Clarke, Nick Habscheid, Dustin Ferguson, Brendon Goddu-Fehr, Tyler Wilson, Eric Wiebe and Kaitlyn Fehr.
Earl had always talked about a practise ring for the boys to spar in, so Earl, Jerry, Rob and Jeff got together in the winter of 2009, designing the ring, and gathering supplies to build it. In August of 2010 we had our first practise ring. We could not have built the ring if we hadn’t received help with a grant from Southwest District Culture Recreation and Sport (SWDCRS), and by 2011, we had 2 sparring rings.
The next two years our numbers were steady and we had great successes with our boxers, but 2012 shook us to the core. Swift Current Friendship Centre founder and boxing guru Earl Monkman passed away suddenly, leaving us all in shock.So we took some time and decided that there was only one thing to do..... CARRY ON ! ONE DAY AT A TIME.
January 2012 to April 2013 was a huge learning curve. A decision was made that we needed to make a coaching change.
Long-time boxer Nick Habscheid was asked, and with the support of Assistant Coach Chad Dafoe, they agreed to give it a try. The Swift Current Friendship Centre Board has supported both with getting the necessary NCCP Coaching Training. Nick continues to box competitively as well as coach the club. Under Nick’s leadership our numbers are steady. Our numbers for mini-glove (6 to 10 years) is a huge success. Nick has great support from parents and other club boxers. Kaitlyn and Porscha help with Mini-Gloves.
Assistant Coach Chad Dafoe works one on one in the practise ring whether it’s pad work or sparring with the boxers. Jerry Monkman and other boxers – Dustin Auseth, Chris Gurski help out with the conditioning part. Jarid Clarke works with the boxers in the ring.
One the first year anniversary of Earl’s passing, we knew a name change for the boxing club was needed. Earl’s son Jerry designed the logo and Vic-tory Boxing Club began.
The Swift Current Friendship Centre and the Boxing program operate with all volunteers donating their time and we have been so successful that some days we can’t believe it. The Boxing program will be starting its 10th year in September 2015
We have great community sponsorship for the boxing club from Dura Products and Crescent Point.
We were fortunate to receive A Flex Book of game tickets courtesy of the Swift Current Bronco’s “Heroes in the Community”. We use these tickets for boxers and their families to experience a WHL hockey game.
Day to Day operations of the Swift Current Friendship Centre (SCFC) and the boxing program are handled by volunteer Carol Low.
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