Following a long period without camps or events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Boxing Canada successfully hosted three training camps, evaluating coaches from seven provinces and athletes from nine provinces. The training camps brought 60 athletes and 27 coaches to the national training centre at the Institut national du sport du Québec in Montreal.

 

Each camp lasted 10 days, with the elite men kicking it off on October 18, headed by Vincent Lavoie, Level 4 certified coach, of Quebec. The youth camp followed under the lead of Jonathan Quinit, owner and head coach of Quinit Boxing, of British Columbia. The women’s elite camp ended on November 23, led by Jill Perry, ChPC and AIBA 1-star certified, of Ontario.

 

“This is a fantastic camp. It’s well-run from the top. The athletes are really accepting of everything we’ve got for them, and it’s been a fantastic experience,” said coach Jason Burgoyne of Pembroke Boxing in Ontario.

 

Every day was filled with intense training and evaluations by Boxing Canada’s team of professionals at the INS. The athletes were tested on a variety of aspects and evaluated based on the Winning Style criteria.

 

“I think it’s awesome. It’s very educational,” expressed Cassie Watts, an athlete from Nova Scotia. “Every day we’re learning new things. The coaches are very helpful and encouraging. It’s great to be around this caliber of athletes from across Canada. Everyone here deserves to be here and it’s just an amazing opportunity.”

 

“Having the opportunity to train at the INS for the elite women’s high performance training camp has been the highlight of my amateur boxing career,” said Jasmine Labillois, an athlete and mother of two young children from New Brunswick, who attended the women’s elite camp with her baby. “Boxing Canada and the INS provided my baby and I the consideration we both needed to feel safe, supported and included. In a sport that is male-dominated, Boxing Canada and the INS are doing their part to support the equitable inclusion of women, girls and mothers in the sport of boxing.”

 

The women’ elite camp also welcomed two coaches, Eve Fortin of Quebec and Erin MacGregor of Nova Scotia, as part of Commonwealth Sport Canada’s Women Coach Internship Program. The interns, mentored by Jill Perry, had an opportunity to gain first-hand experience at the national training centre as part of this program.

 

“I am honoured to be able to be a part of a training camp filled with such strong, talented women,” expressed MacGregor. “Empowering girls is one of my main motivators as a coach and being in this positive environment has reminded me of why I love this sport.”

 

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Posted on: November 30, 2021