OCTOBER 19, 2022 | TORONTO, ON. – Welland, Ontario’s Ray Napper has been appointed as Boxing Ontario’s Head Coach for the upcoming Canada Winter Games (CWG) from February 18 to March 5, 2023 in Charlottetown, PEI.
Since 2005, Ray has been the Head Coach of the historic Napper’s Boxing Club (established 1919) in Welland and has coached boxing since 2000.
Ray brings a wealth of experience to the Canada Winter Games Head Coach position. Highlights from Ray’s coaching resume include:
- Team Ontario Coach at the 2022 Calgary Cup
- Team Ontario Head Coach at the 2014 and 2015 Canadian Junior Championships
- Team Coach for a dual match between Canada and Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Head Coach of the Brampton Cup’s “Best Team” in 2010 and 2011
- City of Welland “Coach of the Year” in 2011 and 2013
- Coached Canadian Champions Todd Napper (Ray’s brother), Christian Zelenco, and Calum Bowie
- Head Coach of Ringside World Champions Todd Napper and Julia Dimarcantonio
Ray comes from a long line of boxing family history. He is the grandson of two-time Olympic Coach Ray Napper Sr., who was honoured at the recent Legends of Boxing Series tournament sanctioned by Boxing Ontario. As an athlete, Ray was coached by his father, Jeff Napper, to the Canadian Junior Championship (71kg) and three Ontario Championships.
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.
In May 2022, Boxing Ontario began the application and selection process to assemble a team of athletes and coaches to represent Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
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.
The athlete selection process for the team Ray will be leading will continue at Boxing Ontario’s Provincial Championships on November 3-6, 2022. The provincial tournament is a qualifying event for the Boxing Ontario Youth and Junior C athletes who are competing for a position on the 2023 Canada Games team.
Congratulations, Ray, and welcome to Boxing Ontario’s Canada Winter Games Team!
More Information:
Inquiries/Questions:
- Boxing Ontario | [email protected] | 416-426-7250
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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.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Freeman | Communications, Boxing Ontario | [email protected] | +1 (416) 426-7250
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews are available virtually, via email or phone with:
- Jennifer Huggins (President, Boxing Ontario)
- Board Members (contacts available upon request)
- Erik Olsen (Executive Director, Boxing Ontario)
Photo credit: Rebecca Freeman – @beccfreeman
PDF version available here.
