Nanaimo Boxing videos and images

NANAIMO BOXING CLUB

formed in 1971 by

Brian Zelley and Dan Wright

assisted by

George Nepper and John Ormandy

George Nepper

founder of Newcastle Boxing club 1963

Brian Zelley boxing journey

                                    Brian Zelley - Clarke McLellan 1973

Facts, Fantasy and fiction

For the Nanaimo boxing club that began in
the year 1971, in 1975, the beginning of a 
change in who was responsible 
for starting the club began
to take shape by incorrect facts in the
"Nanaimo Daily Free Press" and the "Nanaimo Times" 

Many of those that joined the club after 1975
 were not made aware of the truth concerning
 the early years.

                              1971 co-founders 
                    Dan Wright and Brian Zelley
connecting at the Greater Victoria sports
hall of fane in 2009 for the induction of
Mike Caird, Victoria boxer and builder.

** the how and why of forming the
Nanaimo Boxing Club likely began in
1969 which one could call the 
"dream stage".  During, 1969, Dan
and Brian were still members of the
Firefighters boxing club in Vancouver
along with Jack Snaith, Gordie Lawson
and many others.  But, in Nanaimo the
old Newcastle boxing club had closed the
doors due primarily to the health of
founder George Nepper.  But, in the
middle months of 1969 I was in Nanaimo
and a number of folks asked me to help
 start a club including Bob Pegues. And,
coach George Nepper still kept the old
equipment with a vision that it would
be needed in the future.


Temporary training was done at a church
hall, but the actual forming of the club
would have to wait two years when 
circumstances made the dream a reality.
Some of the doors that led to the club
were found in Ucluelet, BC during a
"Terrace Beach" project.

Coaches and Trainers:
*Over the years since 1971, many folks have
been involved in coaching and training 
trainees and active boxers.  Starting at the
beginning there was Brian Zelley, Dan Wright,
John Ormandy, Les Varro, Clarke McLellan,
Joe Preston, Mickey Griffin

,
Batty Creswell and others in recent years.

                                 

Brian Zelley

Dan Wright

Mickey Griffin

Barry Cresswell

Clark MacLellan (green trunks)

Joe Preston

Also, Jack Snaith after moving from

Vancouver's Firefightets was part of

the Nanaimo Boxing Club for a few years

and would also help teach boxing skills

to the many beginners that would join the club.

For all those that helped in the training, they

also had earlier experience gained from 

a variety of  other Nanaimo and Vancouver coaches

including:

George Nepper, Harry Pollitt,

Skimp Williams, Bert Lowes,

Pat West and Lindy Lindmoser

and other boxers such as

Mike Lazare, Dave Wylie, 

Frank Scott, Freddy Fuller

Novice boxers included Gordie Lawson and Jack Snaith

South Hill/Firefighters

Vancouver, BC.

Members directly involved in

early years of Nanaimo Boxing club

Dan Wright, Brian Zelley, Jack Snaith