As he worked his way up through the junior boxing ranks, Will Skopyk’s goal was to one day represent his country on a big stage.
Although his dream went unfilled after he lost his life in a car accident last July at the age of 17, the Thomas Sette Boxing Club is making sure that someone will have a chance to reach the goals that Skopyk hoped to achieve.
“Will was training here all summer to get on the Sask First team,” coach Bob Tichkowsky said Thursday. “He was gearing up to go to university to be a scientist, but he was also hoping to go to the Olympics.
“He was getting ready for his 10th fight last September, which would put him on the path to make the Sask First team, go to nationals and then one day hopefully compete at the Summer Games.”
With the new season starting at the club next Thursday at 7:30 p.m., a junior program has been set up in Skopyk’s honour as 10 male and 10 female fighters will be given free memberships for the month of September.
“Our goal with each of them is to make them the best that they can be,” Tichkowsky said. “We want them to stick to the program all the way through the end of June and we’d love to have 10 of the best guys and girls in the junior age group come from this gym.”
The club is also accepting donations to the Prince Albert S.H.A.R.E. program in memory of Skopyk.
“It’s a non-profit organization that helps those with a mental health disability to get on their feet and help them find jobs around the city,” explained Jorden Danczak, who trains at the club and also works for S.H.A.R.E.
“Having been a part of the program now and working with them, I just want to spread as much positivity in any way that I can, and hopefully we can do that with some donations in honour of Will.”
The Thomas Sette Boxing Club is located behind Venice House on Central Avenue and is open from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
For more information, call 306-764-4026.
