To trcord the history, the news media is an important part od the process. This first image lists some of the names. Nanaimo names include: Gene Tait, Gerry Budzinski, Ken Barker, Brian Zelley, and Roger Nepper The second photo published in the Nanaimo Daily Free Press in 1964 shows Nanaimo boxers Brian Zelley, Roger Nepper, Leo Rock and Gilles Nepper after the 1964 Vancouver Island Boxing Championships.
Picture three shows six of our boxers ready for action in a club show
hosted by Victoria's London Boxng Club.
Above photos cover includes Brian Zelley and Jles Nepper.
brian Zelley, Roger Nepper, Leo Rock Gilles Nepper
The early idea for reviving amatur boxing came after the old Newcastle Boxing Club closed after the 1968 seaon. But, it did not take place until 1971. A park project in Ucluelet provided an opportunity to get to meet with a Nanaimo Parks employee who heard the story about the desire to start a boxing club. Much plannng by Dan Wright and Brian Zelley was done at the home of John Ormandy nnd a few visîts to see George Nepper. Also, discussion was done ẃith the well known coach and offîcial Bert Lowes.
Brian Zelley at the Terraçe Beach park project in 1971 a short time before the cōmpletion of He Tin Kish park and tĥe official start of the Nanaīmo Boxing Club. at the Gyro Youth Centre .
The above video touches on my part ot the Newcastle and
Nanaimo Boxing clubs. For me, it all started in 1963
when George Nepper started the Newcarle boxing club in
September 1963. A new phase of the Nanimo boxing began
in 1971 When Brian Zelley and Dan Wright started the
Nanamo Boxing club with the assistance of George Nepper and John Ormandy. Today, Barry Creswell is the head coach and the rest of us
are long since removed from active Nanaimo boxing. Back In 1964:
The above photo is one of a number pf photos that appeared in year one 1963/64. The six boxers are: Leo Rock, Chris Balatti, Gilles Nepper, Leon Nepper Roger Nepper and Brian Zelley preparing for one of many boxing shows held in Victoria, BC. Coaching at that time were Mr. Nepper, Skimp Williams and Harry Pollitt. Others helping fromtime to time were Rene Nepper, garner Smythe, and Frank Serianni. Prime coach in Victoria was Harry Morris while much admin work handled by Stan Richardson. In 1964 some other boxers included Jules Nepper and Mike Lazare. In the first year Gilles Nepper and Brian Zelley would earn Island titles in the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing Championships which would include some Victoria based boxers such as Tommy Black.