It may be one of the best-kept secrets in Olds.
However, with a change of location to the new Force Conditioning location on 50th Avenue in the uptown core, the Olds Boxing Club may become better known.
For just over three years the club has been teaching the finer points of the sweet science at a somewhat hidden location at a dance studio in the northeast residential area. But now hopes are a new location and a more public profile will hope boost the numbers at the club and pave the way for some ambitious goals.
ìThe new location is perfect, it will help a lot,î explained club founder and head coach Lindsay Walsh. ìThere's been lots of ups and downs (in membership), and I'd like to keep a steady 14 members in each class. If we get more than that, great.î
The club has two streams of training ñ the family group for ages seven and up, and the adult and masters group for athletes over 18. At this point, the club currently has three competitive members who take part in tournaments.
And despite some of those ups and downs, Walsh remains optimistic that the club can continue to carve its own niche in the local sports and fitness landscape.
ìHopefully by this time next year we'll be able to purchase our own ring,î he suggested. ìAnd if we had our own ring we'd be able to hold events right here in Olds.î
The idea with having more equipment and revenue-generating events would be to build equity in the club to solidify its long-term viability. That means continuing to pursue non-profit status that will also help in putting the club on much more solid footing.
ìTwo years from now I could see us being still where we are but between five and 10 years from now I see us being in a much bigger space where we can set up our own ring,î Walsh explained.
While boxing is no longer in the same stratosphere the sport enjoyed in the 70s and 80s, it is seeing a revival of sorts thanks to the mixed martial arts craze. Walsh said they haven't seen an overt rise in interest thanks to MMA, he does believe it is helping to revive boxing training thanks to the need to be skilled in many fighting disciplines.
ìBoxing itself was dying, the sport was in a low, but from what I understand the rise of MMA has brought people into the boxing clubs,î he said. ìI haven't seen it a lot, but I have had some people come and try some Muay Thai and other things.î
The club, however, doesn't focus just on competitive boxing. The majority of the members are there for skill development, self-defence training and fitness.
ìIt's either or, we don't force anybody. You don't have to do sparring, be hit or hit anyone else,î Walsh emphasized. ìI like them to learn the basic skills, learn some defence and a little bit of offence and try to promote them getting into shape and being healthy, plus self-esteem is a big thing with the little guys learning that they can defend themselves without hurting anyone else and not being a bully.î
However, those joining for the sport option of the club can also benefit.
So far this season, middleweight boxer Clayton Braun has done well at tournaments. At a sub-novice tournament in Lethbridge he went 2-0 and landed the top senior point total of the weekend.
Two weeks ago, Braun also went 2-0 at the Bronze Gloves tourney in Edmonton.
While the coaches were impressed they've held him back from competing in the Silver Gloves event.
ìThat's a big step up from Bronze Gloves,î said Walsh.
For more information on the club visit their website at oldsboxingclub.com or find them through Facebook at Olds Boxing Club.
Walsh said they hope to see some growth to continue the viability of the club, something that he's been supporting with not only his time, but financially as well. New digs in a more visible location certainly can't hurt.
ìI hope it works out here,î he said.
