Father and son boxing for success in 2012

Boxing has become something of a family pastime for Darrell Carruthers and his 16-year-old son, Riley. The father and son are members of the Rimbey Boxing Club: Darrell as a coach, Riley as an up-and-coming boxer. The pair has become increasingly involved with the sport over the years, and it has become a major part of both of their lives.

Despite having only recently celebrated his 16th birthday, Riley has four years of experience as an amateur boxer, and has taken the top spot at a number of competitions around the province including the Bronze Gloves tournament in 2009, and the Alberta Winter Games in 2010.

It didn’t take long before his growing passion for the sport soon rubbed off on his father, who took up a coaching role with the Rimbey Boxing Club nearly two years ago.

“I got into boxing through Riley who was introduced to the sport by my youngest son, Nolan” said Mr. Carruthers. “Nolan plays hockey, but wanted to try something new a few years ago, so we said to him, ‘Why don’t you try boxing?’ Although I had to coax him into it, he went, and all the way home, he just told me how great he thought it was. He then went home and told Riley about it, who went later on that week. Although Nolan has since quit, Riley has been going ever since.”

Through the Rimbey Boxing Club, Mr. Carruthers instructs boxing-related training, and teaches youths the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise. Approximately 15 people are registered with the club, which is currently open for enrolment. Those interested in joining are encouraged to contact Mr. Carruthers at (403) 843-3156. Members are able to undertake training that focuses on improving all aspects of their physical fitness.

“We do a lot of cardio, teaching how to work the bags and self-defense. More recently, we’ve also been teaching kids about nutrition. Not only that, but we also do a lot of abdominal exercises. It’s important for kids to stay active and stay in shape, and for a lot of them, it can be very hard work,” he said.

Hard work is something that Riley has become accustomed to over the past four years, and has allowed him to experience a considerable amount of success as a boxer. Through his experience, he’s been able to teach his father about the sport, and he maintains a rigorous training schedule that includes running daily.

An injury recently suffered while playing hockey will prevent him from competing in an upcoming tournament in southern Alberta later this month, but will not hinder his plans for success in 2012. He has his sights set on repeating his 2010 Alberta Winter Games success, as he hopes to win the gold medal in the 2012 edition of the games in Spruce Grove, Feb. 9 to 12, which he will attend with fellow boxer, 16-year-old Joseph Currie.

“I’ve been training hard every day and doing lots of running,” said Riley. “It’d be great to do well again in the upcoming Winter Games, so I’m working really hard right now.