Sandhills Boxing Club Starts “Ladies Only Boxing Night”
By Mallory Cawthra
Sandhills Boxing Club in the Town of Leader is gearing up for another great year; the Club has approximately 30 kids currently registered and a handful of adults. The Club recently started a “Ladies Only Boxing Night,” after a few ladies in Leader approached assistant coach Isabelle Blohm, expressing interest in having that space available. Isabelle said, “So far it’s been a great turnout and an even greater workout. We’re just trying to promote a healthy lifestyle in the crazy times we live in.” Ladies Boxing Night runs twice a month on Monday nights, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Terri Broderick has been attending the Ladies Only Boxing Nights and said, “Sandhills Boxing Club is dedicated to getting community members out and active! The Ladies Boxing Nights that Isabelle has started have been a great workout and a perfect place to feel no judgment while trying something new!”
Laura Henderson has also been taking part in Ladies Only Boxing Nights and she shared, “This is the first year that I have committed to going to boxing consistently. I enrolled myself and my 7-year-old twins. We all love it; it is something we look forward to every week. My 16-year-old teenager has also joined on a couple occasions. The Club has very dedicated coaches that are both encouraging and knowledgeable about the sport. They are experienced and it shows when learning new techniques.”
The Club is operating in accordance with Boxing Saskatchewan restrictions, requiring proof of a negative covid test or double vaccination for those aged 12 and over for everyone that wants to workout. “It has been a challenge,” says Isabelle, “but overall a good response as people understand this is coming from higher up and we are only implementing for our Club.”
Sandhills Boxing Club officially started in 2015 and is located in the upper level of the Leader Lion’s building where the previous Leader gym used to be. The Club’s Head coach is Ken Blohm, who grew up boxing competitively and made his way to Nationals in his teen years to win a bronze medal for Saskatchewan. Isabelle Blohm has been an assistant coach with the Club since 2015, and completed her Fitness and Nutrition Diploma, adding further knowledge to the Club. In regards to joining classes at the Boxing Club, Laura Henderson added, “In my experience the toughest part of starting something new is showing up the first time in an unfamiliar space, but everyone at the Club is so welcoming and it definitely has a family feel. I highly recommend coming out to check it out, you won’t regret it.”
Kid’s classes for ages 5-11 are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6-7 p.m., and adult classes are from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Isabelle explained they have special workout classes for competitors only - every second Friday of the month; these workouts include sparring and more technical work.
There is a Provincial championship coming up at the end of January, where two of the Club’s competitors will compete for the opportunity to take home the Provincial title. Ken and Isabelle Blohm are both currently working toward their Level Two Coaching Certification with Boxing Canada. Isabelle remarked, “Hopefully we can make our way and help coach the Provincial team at the Canada Winter Games of 2023 in Prince Edward Island.”
