By unanimous decision, Salmon Arm boxing coach Peggy Maerz became the first female ever to be named Boxing BC鈥檚 Coach of the Year.
Boxing BC, the provincial governing body, annually gives out different awards as determined by a committee, with Maerz adding that it鈥檚 nice to be recognized by 鈥渁 group of my peers, who happen to be all male.鈥�
The lifelong athlete and owner of Bulldogs Fitness and Boxing Centre, didn鈥檛 actually start the gym and coaching until 2010 after a tragic event in her job as a sheriff forced her to re-evaluate. Though she had loved her former career, Maerz has truly found her niche.
鈥淟o and behold, coaching鈥檚 my thing. I think peopling is my thing,鈥� she said, adding that she loves working with the kids as well as the elite level as a coach with Boxing BC and Team Canada. 鈥淚 love every piece of it; this is where I鈥檓 meant to be.鈥�
It appears to be a mutual feeling from the Bulldogs community she has created, with former students often stopping by just to say 鈥渉i,鈥� which actually happened post-interview with the Observer.
鈥淚 sure miss this place,鈥� Kobe Pendergast, who trained there four years ago, said before giving Maerz a hug.
That, she said, is her legacy.
鈥淚 get to work with a lot of really amazing coaches from all over the world, and I get to work with some really amazing humans in this community that call this place home,鈥� she said of her gym crew. 鈥淭hey call themselves Bulldogs family, and for me, that鈥檚 legacy.鈥�
That family will be on hand to celebrate her historic award, which will be presented by Boxing BC president Mehran Baghaie at the 6th annual Hit2Fit gala on Saturday, April 27. At the same time, Bulldogs coach Jordyn Konrad will also be honoured as Female Athlete of the Year.
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Hit2Fit is a black tie affair hosted by Boxing for Wellness, a not-for-profit organization with which Maerz is also involved, that supports health and wellness in the community.
The Hit2Fit gala is a fundraiser that includes dinner and drinks, and features bouts that showcase local challengers who have learned the ropes in just four months of training who are then evenly matched with competitors from Boxing BC in certified bouts. Leading up to the event, the local contenders have to fundraise for local charities, with the Canadian Mental Health Association and Shuswap Hospice Society this year鈥檚 beneficiaries.
Maerz currently has 18 locals registered and in training, including five previous participants, with half entering the ring and the others participating in fitness. That could, however, change as there are always cancellations for legitimate reasons and some 鈥渃hickenitis,鈥� which isn鈥檛 always due to fear.
鈥淪tage fright鈥檚 a big thing,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd walking them through it the night of is a big job. It鈥檚 a big job to kind of keep the butterflies down, or at least flying in formation.鈥�
The Hit2Fit gala will take place at the SASCU Recreation Centre auditorium on April 7 at 5 p.m. with a catered dinner and silent auction, followed by the bouts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at , where donations can also be made.
