Why I Joined TEAM28…

A testimonial from Guy Pyne, U.S. Amateur Boxing Supporter and TEAM28 Member

I joined Team28 because of my firm beliefs in the opportunities USA Boxing provides for young boys and girls.  USA Boxing provides a safe, competitive, nurturing, encouraging, and supportive space for our younger generations.  It allows and encourages them to put forward their best efforts, in an environment suited and designed to help fulfill their personal goals and dreams.  

Throughout college, I boxed strictly for the purpose of increasing my endurance in Football and Lacrosse.  The physical and mental benefits of practicing this sport at any level are astounding.  I reaped many rewards on my other fields of play, and overcame many of life’s challenges due to lessons learned in the gym and in the ring. 

Later in life, at the age of 50, I began practicing and training at Sanchez Boxing, in Malvern PA.  Regardless of my older age and lack of skills, Coach Noel and Coach Jason took me under their wings and put me on a path to pursue my dream of becoming a Masters Boxer.  They were strict, demanding, fair, and relentless in their teachings.  Now, five years later, I am still working with them, practicing and fine tuning my skills to continue my journey in boxing and in Life.

Boxing at Sanchez has afforded me the opportunity to participate in a competitive class and sport, with people MUCH younger than myself.  Watching the coaches’ mentor these children and seeing the benefits the boys and girls reap every single day, firmly committed me to doing everything I could to support this awesome experience.  

The boys and girls I train with come from all facets of society.  Once they enter that gym, they become one, and all differences disappear instantaneously.  The transformations I have seen in these kids as they traversed the difficulties associated with grade, middle and high school is impressive at the least.  They have learned the benefits of being on a team, learned how their actions or inactions hurt or helped the gym, learned to be calm under extreme duress, and learned that to achieve your goals, you must put in the work.  The skills they take home every day from practice, can only enhance their future opportunities and help to prepare them to face life’s challenges ahead. 

My family’s goal in joining Team28, was to be a part of an organization and a team that fully believes in the development and well-being of all its participants. Seizing the opportunity to have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of the athletes, and providing them and their families some financial relief to pursue their dreams, was our primary goal.  In just five years, I have seen the impact USA boxing has had on many of its athletes and families first hand.  Rest assured, without the financial assistance offered by families and organizations affiliated with USA Boxing such as mine, so many goals, opportunities and dreams would have simply fallen short. 

I am so proud of my assistance and would encourage everyone to assist in anyway possible to make these hardworking and dedicated children’s dreams come true.