M’CHIGEENG—Top Glove Boxing, in conjunction with the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising (UCCM), have started a new Olympic-style boxing course for indigenous youth on Manitoulin Island.
“Youth will learn how to box, and that there is more to life than just sitting in front of a television or a computer,” said Gordon Apolloni, facilitator of the program and a highly successful former boxer, Canadian national coach, former Ontario coach and head coach of Top Glove Boxing Academy in Sudbury.
“This will provide a vehicle for kids to get out and get active,” he said. “And there are a lot of benefits to this. The youngsters will learn boxing, develop self-esteem, learn about nutrition and weight management, and develop fitness. We teach life skills, how to set a goal and achieve it. The government understands that when they put support into a program like this, it provides a great activity for youth, reduces the cause of depression and cuts down on kids possibly getting into trouble with not enough to do.”
Christian Kaiser-Fox of the UCCM Indigenous youth prevention and intervention program told The Expositor, “We are organizing this Olympic style boxing training for indigenous youth on the Island. This is the first step to beginning this boxing program on Manitoulin Island.” He explained Cause Effect Fitness has been on Manitoulin for several years and is very well run under instructor Jonathan Edralin. Along with boxing classes, the latter program provides fitness classes to help people of all age become active and healthy, and learn some self defence as well.
“Gord (Apolloni) and I have been talking about this program for months,” said Mr. Kaiser-Fox. “He has wanted to start a program like this on Manitoulin Island for a long time. Top Glove will be hosting this program on Manitoulin for Indigenous youth between the ages of 10-18.”
Mr. Kaiser-Fox noted, “there are a lot of benefits to a program like this, physical fitness, health benefits, discipline, skills development and relieving stress.”
“We have had great connections with Christian (Kaiser-Fox) in getting this program started,” said Mr. Apolloni. A training demonstration was held at the M’Chigeeng First Nation arena last Friday. “The program will begin in August. We are looking to have it in the Sheguiandah community centre on a monthly basis. I can see this program becoming a force on Manitoulin Island. It will be incredible.”
“Yes, I will be the head guy for this program,” said Mr. Apolloni. “We host boxing matches in Sudbury and eventually the possibility is there to hold this on the Island. It will be six to seven months before the kids in our program are ready to box.” He noted five individuals affiliated with the N’Swakamok Friendship Centre who host the family indigenous program at the Top Gloves gym in Sudbury will be instructors.
“We are looking to have the classes held once a week for now, and we will get Christian (Kaiser-Fox) certified as a coach, and I will be popping in every once in a while, as well. It is phenomenal that we can actually begin the program,” added Mr. Apolloni.
Funding for the program was provided to the Indigenous Youth Prevention Intervention Program by the UCCM Justice Program, through a grant from the guns and gangs initiative.
