The Yuma County Youth Boxing Association has as its' GOAL the establishment and continuation of an Olympic-Style Youth Boxing Program in greater Yuma. Our Boxing Program is designed to serve youth ages 8+, boys and girls. Our program is targeting the "AT RISK YOUTH". Studies have shown that youth involvement in after school programs and sport activities are less likely to participate in gang activities and drug use. A Quality Boxing Program helps build individual character and self-esteem. Olympic-Style Boxing provides an agenda for the participants. It motivates the boxers to fulfill an agenda for him or her. It helps to channel socially unacceptable behavior or feelings into socially acceptable ways to relate in society.
We were off to a good start, in conjunction with the City of Yuma's Parks and Recreation Department the City leased the National Guard Armory Building to serve as our gym. Parks and Recreation Department had given us a small grant for equipment and part time paid gym supervisors. We have been supplying the staffing-head coach and assistant coaches to coordinate all boxing activities and volunteers. So far we have approximately 100 certified boxers annually, both boys and girls. We have accomplished this task with donations to YCYBA. Due to the events of 9/11, the Armory became off-limits to non-military personnel. Fortunately, the City continued to support YCYBA through a donation to rent a facility at 2150 W. Colorado Street until July 1, 2004. The owners, Martin's Landscaping, stepped in and donated use of the property until September 15, 2006. The Amavisca family has stepped up to donate use of a 10,000 sq. ft. former cooling plant located at 60 E. 10th Street in Yuma for YCYBA use. YCYBA must raise all funds to renovate the facility,
purchase new and replacement equipment, as well as provide all funds for tournament travel and hosting our competitions in Yuma.
YCYBA was named the 2000 #1 sport volunteer organization by the City of Yuma. Fred & Hedi Block were given "Volunteer of the Year 2003" recognition as by the City of Yuma.
For more information please contact Fred B. Block, President YCYBA. Thank you for your generosity!
