BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
In February of this year, Gord Apolloni
resigned as head coach of CanadaÂ's Olympic Boxing Team.
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Apolloni was appointed head coach in April
2003. He decided to resign because he was unhappy with the
progress and behaviour of the boxers and it was too late to
make any substantial changes to the team.
It was a bitter way to end what was once his
dream job.
Now after months of soul searching, Apolloni
has found his new calling. He is devoting as much time as he
can to developing and training local boxers.
Appolloni is convinced itÂ's only a matter of
time before the Ontario National Training Centre (ONTC) in
Azilda produces another world-class boxer.
Apolloni share his views and thoughts about
the local boxing scene and the reasons he believes a champion
can be forged at ONTC.
ItÂ's been six months since you resigned. Are
you still satisfied with your decision, and how has it sunk
in?
I think the decision was the right one. I
have morals and values that were different from the athletes
and some of the executive committee of Boxing Canada. I just
donÂ't put with any horseplay or unethical behavior. Some of
these athletes, according to executives were medal hopefuls for
the Olympics, so they didnÂ't want to reprimand or suspend
them.
Now what will you devote your time to?
I will be focusing my energy and time to the
local boxers. Because I resigned, I will not be traveling with
the national team. I feel we need a lot of international
competition with our local boxers, so thatÂ's what we are going
to try to do, including going down to the United States as much
as possible for competitions.
How is the state of boxing locally?
ItÂ's very good. We have three of four boxers
right now that are on the verge of stepping into that elite
realm.
As a coach, what do you feel is your best
coaching attribute?
Learning about the boxer and getting to know
the boxer, not only as an athlete, but as a person as well, is
the most important.
WhatÂ's the best lesson you can teach an
athlete?
Never give up on a dream. I had several
dreams and never gave up on them. I dreamed of having a
national training centre in Canada, and we have one here in
Azilda, and we are running it. Always follow your dream.
What does it take for a boxer to reach the
world class events?
For any athlete, it takes a good circle of
individuals that are going to be assisting in their
development. There are so many factors and things to learn to
do. It takes psychologists to massage therapists to
nutritionists to coaches. ItÂ's never-ending. The only thing
holding us back is funding. It costs money to bring these
people in. Being in Northern Ontario, we are more remote. There
are 70 boxing clubs in southern Ontario, and only three in the
North, so it costs cash to put on shows and travel.
Why do you do what you do?
At one point and time, Sudbury was the hub of
boxing. We had good boxers that came from here. I still dream
of having two or three boxers on the national team again. In
1996, we had five boxers on the national team from Sudbury. We
can certainly do it again, and thatÂ's why I do it.
WhatÂ's currently going on at the ONTC?
We will have a boxing event on Saturday, Oct.
30. WeÂ're going to have a North versus south event. We
currently have 21 boxers training and our membership stands at
65. We have a variety of programs, from beginners to advanced,
to executive class for adults. We are thriving. Memberships are
good and people are calling all the time looking to sign
up.
For yourself, what would it mean to develop
another world class boxer?
It would just prove that our program works.
Right now weÂ're just developing individuals through our boxing
programs, and thatÂ's most important to me. It would be great
to develop that kind of boxer.
WhatÂ's the best way to measure
success?
I think success is never giving up. A perfect
example is Michael Stewart, another local boxer. When he began
his career, he lost 25 bouts in a row.
Then he began to win and lose, win and lose.
Then in 1992, he won 28 bouts in a row, and won the world
junior championship. Perseverance is
number one. Once you have your goal, just go
for it. As long as the kids donÂ't give up, thatÂ's success.
Once you give up, you have lost.
