The Lancaster City Boxing Academy is a nonprofit gym that provides children ages 5-14 with an opportunity to learn about the sport and gain life skills along the way. Founder Will Torres has created a community-focused gym that trains kids to compete in national boxing tournaments. Volunteer Andrew Marshall has helped the gym become a 501(c)(3) business and actively supports its growth and development. Last November, Lancaster City Council displayed their recognition of the gym by passing a resolution, which acknowledged the hard work of the young athletes and coaches.
“The biggest part of the resolution is recognition.” Said Marshall. “Anytime you can get recognized by the place you are at, adds credibility. So, when we do start going out and asking for funds, that is something you can point to.”
Torres founded the gym in September 2012 to keep his son engaged in boxing and it quickly became a community hub. By January 2013, the gym was open to the public. “It started as a place to get me and my son out of training in the basement of my house. Once I started training him, people started showing up and it grew from there.” Said Torres.
The Academy provides a safe space for children and their families. Some family members stay and help the kids train. “It is really family-oriented around here. I keep the right people around.” Said Torres.
The gym trains around 40 to 60 kids annually with help from volunteers to keep kids focused. Torres teaches two classes with a mix of boxers ages 5-14. There is currently a waitlist for kids who want to join. The gym has multiple athletes who compete at the national level. Marshall credits Torres for the success, citing that his techniques and drills create winners.
The gym operates on an annual budget of $125,000 a year. Athletes competing in title/national boxing events fundraise through candy sales, sub sales, and GoFundMe donations. Torres takes around 1 to 6 athletes to a national tournament, and it costs around $1,500 per athlete..
Torres aspires to create a drop-in center on the gym’s second floor, that would provide members with services all year round. “I would like for the kids to have a quiet place where they can step outside of the gym and do their homework, maybe have a computer, and be able to offer things like that throughout the summertime.” Said Torres. Both Marshall and Torres want the kids to seek higher education and make use of the skills they have learned at the gym. “I want to have an honor wall of kids who trained at the gym and have made careers for themselves.” Said Marshall. “I have some kids who trained here that are college graduates now, more of that is coming.” Said Torres.
