Celebrating Women in Boxing: Ontario Female Athletes Excel at FDC Performance & Development Camp

May 7, 2025 | Boxing Ontario News, Female Development Committee

Boxing Ontario’s Female Development Committee (FDC) welcomed over 40 female athletes from across Ontario to a Performance & Development Camp hosted in partnership with Kingsway Boxing Club in Toronto’s west end on May 4, 2025.

Not only are these camps designed to give female athletes an opportunity to spar against a variety of different opponents, but they also provide a valuable platform to develop skills, learn from other athletes and coaches, and grow the Ontario female boxing community.

The day began with an insightful session led by Kingsway Boxing’s Jennifer Huggins. She shared her experiences as a female athlete, coach, gym owner, and international official and offered practical advice on carving out space for women in boxing, emphasizing the importance of giving back at a grassroots level.

Following the seminar, participants engaged in a high-energy boxing warm-up followed by strength training led by FDC coaches. Sparring sessions were overseen by the FDC, athletes’ personal coaches, and Boxing Ontario referees and judges. This experience allowed boxers to implement skills, challenge themselves, and learn from a diverse array of opponents and styles.

To promote recovery and holistic wellness, the athletes could participate in a guided contrast therapy workshop, featuring sauna and cold plunge sessions provided by Kingsway Boxing. Known for aiding muscle recovery and reducing fatigue, this activity offered a restorative conclusion to an intense day of training.

As a special keepsake of their camp experience, athletes had the opportunity to have their fighter portraits taken by photographer, coach, and Kingsway Boxing co-owner Virgil Barrow. These mementos celebrate the athletes’ dedication and progress in their boxing journeys.

FDC Performance & Development Camps serve as key opportunities for female athletes of all ages and experience levels to engage in quality sparring, gain exposure to different techniques, and foster a supportive community. These events are made possible thanks to the unwavering dedication of the Female Development Committee and Boxing Ontario member gyms who host these vital camps. We extend our thanks to all of the committee members for developing an excellent camp program and to Kingsway Boxing for offering their brand new space and unique amenities to create a memorable camp.

Thank you to all the athletes and their coaches for their ongoing commitment to advancing female boxing in Ontario.

—ENDS—

Further Information:

About Boxing Ontario:

Boxing Ontario is the only governing body for Olympic-style boxing in Ontario. As such, it is affiliated with Boxing Canada (CABA), the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & Sport, and World Boxing. Founded in 1972, our mission is to inspire and grow interest, participation, and a love of the sport of Olympic-style boxing in Ontario. Learn more at boxingontario.com

Boxing Ontario Media Contact:

Rebecca Freeman | Communications, Boxing Ontario | [email protected] | +1 (416) 426-7250

How to Get Involved:

  • Host a future FDC Camp: If your club would like to host a future FDC Performance and Development Camp, please visit Boxing Ontario’s website to complete the FDC Camp Hosting Request. 
  • Host all-female sparring: If your gym hosts open all-female sparring which is open to other Boxing Ontario competitive/sparring members on a regular basis, please email [email protected] so you can be added to the Female Sparring in Ontario list.
  • Host an all-female card: Club competition requests can be submitted at boxingontario.com.
  • Register for a coaching or officiating course: More women are enrolling in coaching courses and officiating clinics, and we need to keep the momentum. All courses and clinics plus registration info will be posted to Boxing Ontario’s event calendar.  
  • Inspired to start boxing competitively or recreationally? Join a Boxing Ontario member gym!
  • View our event calendar. Upcoming female sparring opportunities and club competitions will be listed on our website.