Eight Indigenous youth are learning how to box and take the lessons learned in the gym out into the world. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

title match

In the ring: boxing program helping Indigenous youth grow stronger in every way

Oct 5, 2019 | 10:13 PM

NANAIMO — Local Indigenous youth are learning boxing is much more than how to land a punch.

The program Team 700, sponsored by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre and supported by local athletes, teaches Indigenous youth discipline, patience and endurance for any type of challenge.

Team 700 actually started in early 2018 but was put on hold after the gym organizer Ivy Richardson was using shut down.

The team has now reformed with the same name, to honour the approximately 700 Indigenous youth who age out of care each year.

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“It was something important we wanted to represent as a team and bring some light to,” Richardson told NanaimoNewsNOW before the second week of training.

Richardson said she sees boxing a “mind, body and spirit” sport.

“I see this as a space to aspire for greatness, inside and outside of the ring. Boxing gives you that. It gives you life tools for not only what you’re learning in (the ring) but for living as well.”

As a professional boxer herself who fought 18 matches in two years before shifting to coaching, Richardson knows the amount of work and dedication required.

“There’s a lot of work they’re going to have to do just to prepare to step into this space and then to further that step into competition.”

There is currently a lengthy waitlist for Team 700.

Anyone interested in joining the list can reach out to Richardson directly.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit