101 female+ athletes will compete at the 2023 West Coast Wonder Women+ boxing card after registration officially closed on April 15th. The three-day boxing card, which begins May 19th, expects to host over 75 bouts across several weight divisions. Over 15 local businesses are supporting the boxing card, and ticket sales continue to increase as the tournament nears.
With the aim to create opportunities for female+ athletes, WCWW+ will welcome a diverse group of female+ athletes, including those who box at both a professional and semi-professional level to amateur fighters who look to the sport as an outlet for building mental and physical strength.
Supporting this year’s boxing card is professional boxer and former WCWW+ competitor Sara Hagjihat-Joo. Hailing from Coquitlam, BC, Sara’s boxing career highlights the need for platforms like WCWW+. After struggling for opportunities while representing Canada, Sara capitalized on her connection to Sierra Leone to further her boxing dream and to compete at various international boxing cards.
Reflecting on how WCWW+ helped grow her boxing career, Sara said:
“It’s incredible that we have a 3-day female-only boxing card in my home, British Columbia! When I first started boxing, I would have to go abroad to find opportunities – now, WCWW+ is providing bouts to female+ fighters right here in Canada.
When I first attended WCWW+ in 2018, I brought six girls with me to compete, and we couldn’t believe there was such a big female boxing community in Canada. What stands out to me is that the boxing card allows fighters of all experience levels to compete. Ellen and her team do a great job of matching everyone up regardless of a win or loss and guaranteeing a certain amount of bouts for each competitor, which is extremely rare for female fighters.
I’m looking forward to acting as a mentor to this year’s competitors and hope to organize some quality sparring with an undefeated professional to educate some of the up-and-coming fighters. With over 100 athletes involved this year, I can’t wait to welcome new fighters to the community.”
Also attending this year’s boxing card is the Waterloo Regional Boxing Academy, which will bring eight athletes from Ontario to compete for the first time. With competitive female bouts hard to come by, the Waterloo Academy looks forward to its athletes testing themselves against fighters from Canada, USA and Mexico.
Ahead of her inaugural trip to compete at WCWW+, 12-year-old Brooklyn Kaufman said:
“I am eager for the experience of going to British Columbia and participating in the West Coast Wonder Women boxing tournament, I believe this adventure will benefit me and my boxing skills. I’m also excited for the opportunity to connect with other like-minded women.”
The preparation for this year’s boxing card has drawn support from several local organizations committed to furthering the growth of women+’s boxing in Canada. Returning as a Platinum Sponsor is Route 14 Bistro, one of Sooke’s most established restaurants passionate about sports. Route 14 believes it is an honour to help progress the growth of women’s boxing in BC.
Route 14 Bistro Owners, Susan and Stew Jeppesen said:
“We are firm believers in the power of sports, especially for girls and that it is very important to have sport accessible to girls – as 1 in 3 girls will drop out of sport by age 16. Ellen and her team not only make the sport of boxing accessible and affordable, but works with all her athletes to help them gain confidence, learn positive body image, and makes everyone feel welcome and give them a sense of belonging.”
Located in Saanich, BC, The Athlete Centre, which provides sports medicine services to athletes of levels across Vancouver Island, is donating its services at the WCWW+. Owner and Athletic Therapist at The Athlete Centre, Sarah Black commented:
“As a women-owned, local business, we are proud to support this year’s West Coast Wonder Women+. At The Athlete Centre we believe there’s an athlete in Every Body and that everyone should have access to sport. This event will bring the community together, increase awareness and provide an opportunity to underrepresented groups to compete in a typically male-dominant sport.
We are looking forward to supporting the athletes with on-site therapy support and education sessions, while catching some of the action, ringside!”
West Coast Wonder Women+ announced its return on March 22, and one-day tickets and weekend passes for children and adults are available at the door and online at https://westcoastwonderwomen.net/tickets/
Contact
Media and Sponsorship Inquiries: Lucas Schmidt | lucasschmidtcomms@gmail.com
General and Sporting Inquiries: Ellen Connor | +1 250-634-4941 | sookeboxing@gmail.com
About West Coast Wonder Women+ (WCWW+)
West Coast Wonder Women+ (WCWW+) is an all-female international boxing card held in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada. As one of the five all-female boxing cards in the world, WCWW+ provides an opportunity and platform for empowerment to women athletes of all ages.
WCWW+’s mission is to redefine the historical and social perceptions of boxing and create a pathway for women to succeed in a male-dominated sport. This year’s card takes place from May 19 to 23 and will include over 100 fighters from across the globe, including athletes making their debut to national champions defending their titles.
2023 is the 4th edition of the WCWW+ boxing card. Learn more at westcoastwonderwomen.net or @westcoastwonderwomenplus on Instagram.
About Ellen Connor
Ellen Connor is an experienced boxing coach and the founder of the West Coast Wonder Women+ boxing card. Ellen established WCWW+ after seeing the need to provide a platform for women in the male-dominated sport of boxing. Ellen strives to provide an opportunity for women of all ages and the LGBTQ2S+ community to participate in the sport they love. Ellen also founded Sooke Boxing in 2016, a not-for-profit boxing club providing opportunities for athletes across Vancouver Island. She is an NCCP Certified Level 1 Boxing Canada coach.
