THE TEEN GIRLS OF KINGSWAY BOXING WELCOME CANADIAN OLYMPIAN MANDY BUJOLD
The Girls Teen Boxing Program is run by coaches Virgil Barrow and AIBA International Referee, Jennifer Huggins. After recognizing the incredible impact the sport has had on her life, she felt it was necessary to share her passion with the youth of the community. The girls who participate in this class learn the technical components of boxing and are given an opportunity to explore their confidence in ways that will help them in all walks of life. We look forward to welcoming the girls back and opening the doors to others looking to share in the experience.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be involved with the Olympic Boxing Qualification process leading into Rio 2016, visiting many countries and officiating the top athletes of the sport.”
Jennifer has also had the honour of watching some of our talented Canadian boxers reach the Olympic level, including PanAm Gold Medalist, Mandy Bujold. Representing Canada over the past decade, Mandy is a true hero in and outside of the ring.
WELCOMING CANADIAN OLYMPIAN MANDY BUJOLD
It is with great pleasure that we will be inviting Mandy to coach the final Girls Teen Boxing Class of 2016 on Monday December 5, 2016.
“Mandy has been a true ambassador of the sport, inspiring our boxing family and friends. Her dedication and perseverance led to achieving her ultimate dream of making it to the 2016 Rio Olympics. She has influenced athletes around the world to achieve their dreams and to step into the ring to fight for what you believe in. After Mandy attended the Fight To End Cancer Gala in 2016, our Kingsway and FTEC teams cheered her on as she represented Canada at the very highest level of sport”
– Jennifer Huggins
Mandy is not only a Boxing Canada Olympian, but she is a true champion in and outside of the ring. Last night I visited her coach Adrien Teodorescu in the ICU, fighting for every breath, his family at his bedside. Adrian is a legend of boxing, one of his many accolades including coaching Lennox Lewis in the 1988 Olympics. Mandy has been at his beside for 2 days straight, set up a fund for the family, and still insists that she would like to come to Kingsway on Monday.
Please take a moment to support the legacy of Adrian:
The Girls Teen Boxing is one of our most popular programs we offer at Kingsway Boxing Club. Early-bird pricing is now in effect for the 2017 Winter/Spring Program
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is honoured to once again count on the support of Eagle Professional Resources, Canada’s leading professional staffing company, as one of our our top-tier partners.
This will be the fourth time welcoming Eagle as an Official Partner for our Gala. Stepping things up in 2014, Eagle chose to become FTEC’s Lead Partner when Eagle’s own, Brendhan Malone, stepped into the ring to fight. Since then, Eagle has consistently returned as a major sponsor for the Fight To End Cancer and we are truly grateful for their ongoing support.
The relationship between FTEC and Eagle goes even further back then in 2014. They have been an incredible support system to FTEC, right from the beginning. Since day one, Eagle has been in attendance cheering on the courageous fighters who step into the ring and have helped spread the word about our event and the important cause that it is helping to raise funds for.
Eagle Professional Resources is owned and run by Kevin Dee; a long time believer in the importance of literally fighting to find a cure for cancer. Prior to his and Eagle’s attendance at the inaugural FTEC gala; Kevin was preparing diligently for his own boxing bout against cancer when he took part as a fighter at the Fight for the Cure event held in Ottawa, in 2011.
It was then and there that FTEC’s Founder and owner of Kingsway Boxing Club, Jennifer Huggins, first met Kevin. Jennifer worked as a coach in Kevin’s corner for the Olympic-style boxing competition. Kevin shares his thoughts on Eagle’s consistent support for the Fight To End Cancer:
“This event provides much needed exposure and financial support to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, and its fight to end cancer. It is because of Jennifer Huggins’ vision and drive that this event happens and I am proud to be able to play a part in the event’s success. I’m looking forward to an elegant evening with great food, great company and great entertainment.”
It is through the ongoing support of our fantastic sponsors that Fight To End Cancer continues to be as successful as it is.
A big thank you to Kevin Dee and the entire Eagle Professional Resources team!
ABOUT EAGLE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
Eagle is one of Canada’s largest staffing agencies, placing professionals who specialize in Information Technology (IT), Finance & Accounting, and Interim Executive and Management Consulting, into contract, temporary and full-time permanent positions.
Eagle opened its doors in 1996 with only 10 employees in 3 offices as an IT recruitment agency. Now, almost two decades later, we’re a full-service staffing agency that reaches beyond IT, has over 100 employees in 10 offices across Canada, achieves annual revenues exceeding $100 million, and places a wide-range of senior professionals with companies in almost every industry.
“Team” is at the heart of Eagle’s core values, and we take it seriously. Led by an energetic and enthusiastic management team, Eagle’s Account Executives, Recruitment Specialists and back-office support staff work together to ensure that everybody — clients and candidates — receive the best possible service.
By Mike Ruta
OSHAWA — Richard Forget and fellow magician Ray Anderson have known each other for around 20 years. But the former says they’ve never worked together — until now.
Forget, a Whitby resident, and Toronto’s Anderson match skills in The Battle of Magicians on Feb. 12 at Oshawa’s Regent Theatre.
“It’s a battle of wits between two competing performers,” Forget says. “It’s kind of, anything you can do I can do better.”
The evening is broken up into rounds and a winner is declared at the end.
Forget says the interesting part is that the two come from different ends of the magic spectrum: he’s a traditional musician while Anderson is one of the newer breed, a “comedy magician.”
“It’s finding ways to mesh our characters together,” Forget says of the show. “There are some parts where we perform separately and other parts where we come together.”
Becoming a magician was all Forget wanted to do when he was a kid. A shy boy growing up in a large family, he says his cousins were his friends and his first audiences. Maybe he knew magic would help him break out of his shell, or maybe he wanted the attention, he speculates. Whatever the reason, and despite some “lean years,” Forget has reached the pinnacle of his profession. He won the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ Stage Magician of the Year in 2004 and 2009 making him, by his estimation, the only person to win the title for two separate acts. In 2011, he was named Canadian Magician of the Year by the Canadian Association of Magicians.
Forget and Anderson are also competing to raise funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. It’s a cause that’s especially near and dear to his assistant, Jennifer Huggins, through her website, www.fighttoendcancer.com. A portion of the ticket proceeds goes to the charity and you can also sponsor one of the magicians on the site.
A “spectacular finish” to the magicians’ battle is promised but, as you might expect, Forget isn’t giving much away.
“It’s an illusion, I’ll put it that way,” he says.
The show is at 8 p.m. and the theatre is at 50 King St. E.
Fight To End Cancer is proud to announce that its Founder & Executive Director, Jennifer Huggins, was recently featured on Notable.ca’s prestigious “Notable Young Entrepreneur” list.
Being featured on this list is an incredible opportunity for young professionals, both here in Toronto and nationally across Canada!
This bestowed recognition of Jennifer’s hard work by Notable.ca for being a driven, entrepreneurial force in the philanthropic and professional sports industries, is a true honour for her and Fight To End Cancer, as a whole.
Congratulations Jennifer! Very well deserved.
You can read her interview with Notable.ca below:
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
CEO, Founder and Serial Entrepreneur. Gym Owner, Boxing Referee, Director. All titles help describe what I do for work – barely touching on what I hope to achieve.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
My peers, community and mentors are constantly inspiring me. My career has been heavily influenced by my life in the sport of Olympic boxing. However, it was where I started as a competitive figure skater that inspired me the most and developed my competitive drive.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
The most memorable milestone in my career to date happened only last month. I was selected to work two back-to-back Olympic boxing tournaments – the European Championships in Bulgaria and the American Continental Championships in Venezuela. Both of these tournaments served as qualifiers for the World Championships, which are the qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Another memorable milestone that ties in very closely to these tournaments was the accomplishment of working in Taipei earlier this year at the Women’s World Championships. What made this milestone so special was the fact that I managed to be halfway across the world while my team was home in Toronto executing the official media day for my annual fundraiser, Fight To End Cancer. This was the first time in my career that I was able to plan and delegate successfully with the outcome being such a positive experience for all who were involved.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Somewhere… Anywhere… Everywhere – hopefully in that order! Many entrepreneurs would agree that a question like this is very difficult to answer. Our success, ambitions and, sometimes, happiness is heavily hinged on the ever-changing world around us. Five years can be a generation – 10 years a lifetime – 20 years a blessing. I guess if I had to make a prediction, or even just a wish, I will hopefully be working with the youth of the community inspiring change, encouraging community involvement, and trying to have a positive impact on the world we leave for future generations to come.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Focus on achieving your goals, but don’t put on the blinders. Personal success is defined by your ability to appreciate the impact of your accomplishments. It is important to take a step back to be inspired by yourself more than the approval of those around you. This has always been my recipe to muster up the energy when things get tough… and things will get tough at times!
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I support the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation through my annual gala fundraiser, Fight To End Cancer. This foundation means so much to me personally, to my close friends and family, and to the future of the world we live in. It is important to support those who help make an impact, not only in the present but also for the future. The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is making a difference now and has made it their mission to create a brighter, cancer-free future.
7. What does the word notable mean to you?
Interesting to someone – maybe many people. Worth taking note of.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
“Mom and Pop” diners anywhere around the city. I love feeling nostalgic while taking in the warm company of people who live, breath and literally eat what they believe in.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser?
Google.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Muhammad Ali.
4. What’s your favourite cocktail?
Rye and Ginger.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
My greatest FOMO comes from good weather. Looking out the window on a beautiful day from my office can be a harsh reminder of other important things in life that I may be missing out on. Sacrifice, many times, includes things that are within reach.
6. What would be your last meal? And don’t hold back…
A starter of curry butternut squash soup with sour cream mixed on top with green onion garnish; lamb chops, medium rare, with gnocchi and some sort of gravy with a red wine base; finishing with the biggest ice cream sundae that has every topping (except for nuts because I’m allergic and that would definitely make it my last meal!)
7. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
eBay Junky – when I can’t sleep, or sometimes it’s the catalyst to my insomnia, I like to buy ridiculously awesome items that cost less than $2 with free shipping from eBay!
The month of July was an exciting time for the City of Toronto by successfully hosting the 2015 Pan American Games (not to mention the ParaPan Am Games about to begin this week). Toronto proudly accommodated thousands of athletes, coaches, families and supporters from 41 countries internationally.
For many Torontonians, it was a hard decision on which sport to focus on and who to cheer for, as there were so many to choose from. However, for the team at Fight To End Cancer – boxing was our “Main Event”. The sport of boxing remains the headlining entertainment at our annual gala fundraiser in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation; however, it was especially highlighted upon at our 2015 edition that took place this year on May 30th.
Our friend, Mandy Bujold, attended Fight To End Cancer 2015 as a special guest and presented an award to our Co-Main Event, which featured two of our female corporate fighters, Erica McMaster and Paige Cunningham. In addition to presenting the award, Bujold took a moment to talk to our guests about her experiences as a female in boxing and the journey she has embarked on towards competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was a truly inspirational moment for the many men and women in attendance at our gala that will hopefully encourage some to take a stronger interest in the sport that she has devoted her life to for over a decade.
With an already impressive amateur-boxing resume and a passion and drive to fight in the Olympics, Bujold managed to recently add a major new notch to her belt after capturing the Women’s Elite 51kg GOLD medal for Canada, at this years’ 2015 Pan Am Games.
We would like to send a huge congratulations to Mandy and all of our incredible Team Canada athletes, who continue to inspire greatness! Fight To End Cancer would also like to send a special shout-out to the Boxing Canada team for bringing in 3 GOLD and 3 BRONZE medals! It is these athletes who continue to inspire our corporate, amateur fighters to train to become true boxers, before stepping into our ring to take part in the fight to end cancer.