DECEMBER 20, 2022 | TORONTO, ON. – Boxing Ontario is thrilled to announce its official team for the upcoming Canada Winter Games (CWG) in Charlottetown, PEI from February 18 to March 5, 2023:
Female
Ruqaya Nawaz – Bay Area Athletic Club – 50-52kg
Victoria Vergos – Steeltown Boxing Club – 57-60kg
Male
Simon Romero – Napper’s Boxing Club (Alternate: Joshua Hernandez – Border City) – 54-57kg
Owen Paquette – Top Glove Boxing Academy – 60-63.5kg
Jackson Cook – Bland’s Boxing Club – 63.5-67kg
Joshua Antwi – Scarberian Boxing Club – 71-75kg
Perminder Pannu – King of the Ring (Alternate: Ethan Lloyd – Bushido Boxing) – 75 -80kg
Coaches
Raymond Napper – Head Coach (Napper’s Boxing Club)
Crista Aguinaldo – Assistant Coach (Kombat Arts)
The first training camp as an official team was held at Steeltown Boxing in Hamilton on December 17, and one of the key outcomes of this camp was to form a bond as a team. The full day of training led by Coach Ray and Coach Crista included warm-up drills, partner shadowboxing, footwork drills, heavy bag work, light sparring drills, an overview of the scoring system with guest speaker Jennifer Huggins (3-Star International Boxing Referee and Judge), and a discussion on how to prepare mentally and physically for a national tournament.
In May 2022, Boxing Ontario began the process to assemble a team of Youth and Junior C athletes to represent Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Following the application process, the athletes were invited to a two-day tryout and training camp at MJKO Boxing on August 27-28. Participation and results at the 2022 Brampton Cup, Legends of Boxing Series tournament, Provincial Championships, and other local, provincial, national, and international competitions were also taken into consideration as athletes competed for positions on the team.
Throughout the rigorous selection process, the CWG 2023 athletes demonstrated a personal commitment to a training program with the primary goal of reaching their athletic potential; fair play and team cooperation both inside and outside the competition ring; and an excellent boxing skillset to represent Ontario and improve upon previous CWG standings.
Boxing Ontario would also like to officially congratulate Coach Crista on her appointment as Assistant Coach for Boxing Ontario’s CWG team.
A number of criteria were considered in the detailed coach selection process, including (but not limited to) coaching and competition experience; sport knowledge and professional development; team management and athlete development experience; and effective leadership and communication skills such as the ability to creative positive team culture and motivate and assist athletes with mental preparation. Coach Crista exemplifies these key values.
Ray Napper’s appointment as Head Coach was announced in October, and coincidentally, Ray’s grandfather Ray Napper Sr. was the Team Ontario Head Coach for the Canada Winter Games in 1991, which also happened to be in Charlottetown, PEI!
Congratulations to all athletes and coaches selected to the CWG 2023 team! The Boxing Ontario community wishes the team all the best in training and competition, and we cannot wait to follow your journeys throughout the duration of the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
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Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman, Boxing Ontario. Full album available on Boxing Ontario’s Facebook page.
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 International Boxing Association (IBA) and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & Sport. Founded in 1972, Boxing Ontario encompasses over 150 clubs, 1,500 competitors, and more than 12,000 recreational members. More information at BoxingOntario.com.
About the Canada Winter Games:
The Canada Games is a multi-sport event held every two years, alternating between summer and winter, representing the highest level of national competition for Canadian athletes with over 2,000 athletes and coaches competing in the largest amateur multi-sport event in Canada.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Freeman | Communications, Boxing Ontario | [email protected] | +1 (416) 426-7250
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews are available virtually, via email or phone with:
- Boxing Ontario CWG Coaches (contacts available upon request)
- Board Members (contacts available upon request)
- Erik Olsen (Executive Director, Boxing Ontario)
PDF version available here.
