1971: AT THE CROSSROADS

AT THE CROSSROADS: BETWEEN "He Tin Kis" and "The Nanaimo Boxing Club" in The Summer of '71 by brian Zelley

*It was the Summer of '71
 and one journey was coming
 to an end in Ucluelet, BC, and 
an another  would begin.

*Of course, I had no idea of
where we would have the gym
but  one weekend, I was asked
by Myrt Saxton, the head of the
project to visit with the rec
director in Nanaimo to discuss 
park issues, so I told her about
some of our plans and she told
me who to contact that could 
deal with both issues.  Deal with the end of one project, and improve planning with
the other plan of starting  a revival of boxing in Nanaimo, BC.

The last month is Ucluelet but
the odd weekend back to 
Nanaimo to see Dan, John
and Mr Nepper to plan more
about the new journey that
was about to begin with
the formation of the
Nanaimo Boxing Club
in the Summer of '71

My role in the Nanaimo Boxing Club
included a number of roles, but
to set the ship on the right path
before leaving forever in '74
I would have a couple of fights
help train or teach some of the
boxers and act as a go-between
with the local sports press.

















THE LAST FIGHT FOREVER: 

After this fight in 1973, I was 
also trying to get things going
in Victoria, but the heavy heavy
involvement would have to
wait until 1974.

In those first few years of 
action and activity in 
Nanaimo, there would
be plenty of folks 
involved in the
ongoing success of the
club throughout the
Seventies.  There was
Les Varro and Clark McLellan
that would be the two key coaches, but others would follow.  And in those first few
years some of the boxers would be Darren Lussier, Wayne Peace, Dan Wright,
Bob Pegues, Jack Snaith and Mickey Griffin, but over the years there would be
hundreds more including other coaches such as Joe Preston and now Barry Creswell.

Back to He Tin Kis which opened a few doors to ensure a good new beginning
with the newly formed NANAIMO BOXING CLUB:

The New Journey - the summer of '71

From an historical point
of view, the importance
of this photo is the
link with George Nepper.
Now he would pass away
and would not be around
to see his vision become
a big reality, but he was
an important bridge.

In much of the eighties and
beyond it is unlikely that the
role of George Nepper 
would be known by the
many boxers and coaches.
So in some way, this is somewhat of a redemption  and recognition of
the old "shoemaker" with a vision.  George was nominated for the
2013 BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame, but in the early months of the
process, it did not appear that he was getting any support except by
two ex-boxers of Nanaimo but one should always keep believing because
despite all odds, George was picked as one of the last three  before the
doors were closed.  Of interest one of the other three was coach
Jim Howie, founding coach of the Campbell River Eagles who was
also nearly overlooked until one of his boxers from past days came
to his support to tell the story, and then the door opend wide.
I guess when all was said and done the three Wood brothers,
Steve, Mike and Gary were there at the very end to not only
save Jim but also George.