The Top Glove Boxing Club in Dominica is planning to award a scholarship to one of its members to attend the Dominica State College (DSC).
President of the Club and National Boxing Coach, Job Joseph said one of the club’s goal is to ensure all student members receive a secondary and college education.
“One of our plans is to give a scholarship to one of our students that did not have the opportunity to attend the DSC and we are planning to do it between 2017 to 2018, and after that every two years the club will continue to give sponsorship to a student of our club,” he stated at the organization’s first press conference held at the Top Glove Gym located at the DSC on Thursday. “The club also want to ensure that all students that pass through this club have a secondary and college background.”
He also said one of the club’s long-term goal is to have a boxing house where it can host boxers from overseas to train with members.
Joseph stated that in 2015, the club held a competition in Massacre “after 20 years of no real fighting in Dominica.”
“We gave the Dominican public a first taste of what it is to be in a boxing ring,” he stated.
He said however, sadly local boxers didn’t get the opportunity to go to any competition this year due to the lack of funds.
“In 2015 the club went to the Creole Games [held in Guyana] and came back and came back with four gold medals, two silvers and two bronze, but could not go back to defend their championship in 2016,” Joseph explained.
He also noted that on June 30, 2016 the club successfully received its own boxing ring and revealed some future plans for the club.
“We are looking to have a follow up event in Massacre, the same venue on the 26th of December 2016 [Boxing Day] for a next boxing competition where boxers from the UK, the US Virgin Islands, Tortola, Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts and St Martin will be host by our beautiful country Dominica, hoping to make it a bigger event than the first one,” he noted.
Next week Thursday, the club will hold an open forum for students of the DSC to encourage those who are interesting in registering to be part of the boxing club.
Additionally, the club will be adding an adult section for those who are interested in boxing.
“The club also plans to take part in other sports disciplines, like football, basketball and cricket,” he said.
The club was formed on April 17th, 2009 with 13 members and a three-man committee was set up to steer the club to the future. Its first executive of 9 members was formed in 2013.That same year the club also went on a fundraising drive to buy a boxing ring.
The club now has 37 members; 28 males, nine females with two coaches.
Joseph thanked the Dominican public and business owners for supporting the club in one way of the other.
Eh Job u looking olde boy.
I would like to know about the last fundraising that was held on the 31st July 2016. The money raised have not been mention.
But ppl not easy. if you’re a member of them ppl club just ask at your next meeting SMDH