Rain On The Ring

Rain is in the forecast for the boxing show that is scheduled later this week.  If it does get rained out, that will be the third year in the row the field house hasn't had a show.

The show always seems to take place right at the beginning of the summer session which begins tomorrow.  The new kids and teens in the class can't compete in that show because they will not have trained enough to participate in it.  I only have one kid from the previous session who plans to fight - Jaylen - and there is no guarantee there will anyone from the other parks with whom he can be paired off in the ring. 

Whether the show at LaFollette happens or not, I expect the usual resistance from parents and guardians regarding allowing their youths to participate in the other boxing shows from now to the end of the year.  Sahia shook her head when I explained some time ago that parents and guardians have a problem with going to certain sides of town as well to certain neighborhoods.  "That's how it's always been in Chicago," I told her. Then I get admonished by the boxing program coordinator and the field house supervisor for not having youths in the shows.  I'm still wondering what the two of them think I'm supposed to do about that - or the lack of interest most have in the program in general.

Four of the youths in the class for those under 12-years-of-age are return customers: the aforementioned Jaylen, Kayla, Damaris, and Aarav.  Not many of the new ones on the list talked to me before registering despite that being a requirement listed online and on printed schedules and fliers.  That always makes for frustrating moments during the session.

Adrien is the only person signed up for the teen class  Adrien is good at what he does but doesn't show up at the gym enough for my taste.  One of the boys who play team sports at the field house inquired about registering for boxing.  That kid might be a good match for Adrien in terms of sparring. I haven't heard any more about that from him, or more importantly, his parents and guardians.  Even though there is plenty of room in that class, in light of the fact the boxing shows have started, people still can't take their time about signing up.

No adults have signed up, but I refuse to take that class off of the schedule.  I used to do 90 minutes classes with the youths when there was no adult class and that wasn't a good idea.  I have to do a stronger job of marketing that time period those who already know how the box but are looking for an extra spot to get their workout in.