By Bonnie Van Toen
Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night, as many as 40 kids make their way to the Gale Kerwin Boxing Club, tucked in a basement corner of the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club.
The basement room is an obstacle course of punching bags, speedbags and chairs for the spectators. A mirror lines one wall — just like ballet dancers, boxers need to see their moves to turn them into an art form.
On this particular Wednesday night, about 10 youth have shown up. Some are busy wrapping their hands and wrists in protective bandages.
Another punches a hanging ball in staccato succession. Still another is “shadow boxing,” waltzing around the room with an imaginary opponent.
It’s hard to believe that a little over a year ago, this room was used only for the occasional community meeting.
“There was no equipment,” says Gale Kerwin of the club’s humble beginnings. “A certain club was selling off their equipment, so I bought them out.”
Forty years ago, Kerwin was one of the stars of boxing, packing in crowds at places like Madison Square Gardens in New York.
Posters from his fighting days adorn the club’s walls.
“Lightweight Contenders’ Slugfest,” exclaims one. “Main Event 10 Rounds Johnny Busso — Club-Fighting Brooklyn Belter Ranked 8th vs Gale Kerwin, The Valley Steam Bomber.”
Now, the Centretown lightweight-turned-realtor is trying to pass his fighting spirit on to a new generation.
Some of the equipment has seen better days, with duct tape bandages giving them a new lease on life.
No one is complaing if the equipment isn’t top of the line, though.
“Gale Kerwin is a former professional Canadian boxer,” says member Widijoyo Njaman. “He’s very famous and he knows about boxing.”
Members like Njaman are earning a reputation for the club, too. So far, they have a 60 per cent success rate in competition, which members attribute to the dedication of the coaches. Although anyone is welcome to participate, some, like Njaman, are dedicated boxers.
“My goal in boxing is to go to the Olympics as a Canadian,” says the Japanese visa student. “2004, that’s my goal. In the future, you’ll probably see me on TV.”
Most of the participants are in the upper age categories. Kerwin hopes to bring in the younger crowd. Children as young as 10 can participate.
“I think the big thing you get out of this is a lot of discipline,” says Ronald Gervais, a retired civil servant who helps coach. “You have to be in top physical condition and you have to work hard to do that.”
Xavier Desrochers, another coach, agrees.
“It keeps the kids out of trouble. If you take the youth off the street and you make them train hard and make them fight in the ring with the gloves, it takes the violence away from the street.”
The Boys and Girls Club allows youth to participate in programs for a $25 annual membership fee. The fee can be waived for low-income families.
“It’s mostly lads and kids from the inner-city and a mixture of different backgrounds and different cultures,” says Gervais. “The good thing about this program, is it’s a place where they can come and let off some steam and no one gets hurt.”
Kerwin notes that there is now all kinds of safety gear, which wasn’t available in his boxing days. All three coaches stress the fact that boxing is safe sport, one that focuses on mental skills rather than violence. Those mental skills are what make for confident kids, in and out of the ring.
Whether it’s confidence-building, staying in shape or going for the gold, the club’s members are enjoying themselves.
“Basically, it’s a lot of fun,” says Desrochers, his arms bruised from the punches thrown at him by aspiring champs.
“I enjoy helping the kids and I like to see the kids win…If they like it, they will keep coming back.
“If they don’t like it, they won’t come back and the doors will be closed. That’s why today we have the doors open— they like it. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here.”
In the Centretown corner…
What: The Gale Kerwin Boxing Club
Where: The Boys and Girls Club Centretown Unit, 412 Nepean Street
When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Who: Any boys or girls who aged 10 and up.
Cost: Membership to the Boys and Girls Club is $25 but can be waived.