Atlantic City Police Athletic League
Boxing Youth Development Program
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“To be a champ you have to believe in yourself when no one else will.”
– Sugar Ray Robinson
The Boxing Program
Train, learn and grow. Our program goes further than physical fitness. Participants also develop interpersonal skills under the mentorship of a certified Youth Coach and educational/life skills workshops. The program focus on coordination, speed, agility, strength and other performance benefits while having fun in a range of specialized Youth activities based on fitness.
Participants will learn basic boxing skills and techniques. Instruction includes cardio calisthenics, shadow boxing, bag work and basic self-defense. This program develops conditioning and athletic skills. Improves motor skills, agility, flexibility and instills discipline.
ATLANTIC CITY – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and State Athletic Control Board (SACB) Commissioner Larry Hazzard Sr. today announced that they are awarding a $65,000 grant to the Atlantic City Police Athletic League (ACPAL) for an after-school boxing program to provide 20 young community residents with boxing and fitness training, as well as life skills development designed to foster self-esteem and success. In the wake of recent gun violence involving youths in Atlantic City, Attorney General Grewal and Commissioner Hazzard are working with the ACPAL and other community leaders to offer young people a safe space and positive activities away from the street and gang activity. ACPAL is partnering with law enforcement, local schools, Family Court, amateur boxing clubs, and social service agencies in seeking referrals of young participants for its Boxing Youth Development Program.
Eduardo Garcia, left, 14, and AJ Dahlen, 15, compete in the 130-pound bout at the Atlantic City Police Athletic League’s youth boxing show Saturday.
Matthew Strabuk Photos, Staff Photographer
Boxing bouts return to
Atlantic City Police Athletic League
SELENA VAZQUEZ Staff Writer
Nov 26, 2023
ATLANTIC CITY — It had been about six years since the Atlantic City Police Athletic League held a boxing event at its 250 North New York Avenue building, ACPAL coach Patrick Perez said.
That’s why hundreds of parents, kids, coaches and others were inside the building’s gymnasium Saturday to cheer on about 24 fighters at the “Amateur Boxing Show: Battle at the Shore.”
Kids from 11 to 15 (with a few exceptions for a couple of participants a little younger and older than that) who participate in the ACPAL’s Boxing Youth Development Program participated in the 12 bouts that were set to run from…
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can any child meeting the age requirement join the program?
Only Youth ages 11-18 that reside in the local area are eligible for the program.
How do I enroll my child?
You enroll in the Program by calling or stopping by ACPAL to schedule an intake meeting with the program facilitator. Both Parent or legal guardian and the child are required to be present during the intake process.
Can parents attend?
Parent or legal guardian permission is required for Youth to participate. Parents and legal guardians are welcome to observe the program and attend the workshops.
Are the children supervised at all times?
Absolutely. Your child’s safety is the most important thing to us. There is never a time when the children are left alone. We have multiple staff members available to ensure adequate supervision
Are there competition opportunities?
Our Program provides opportunities for competition and recognition, both internally and externally! Also ACPAL will host amateur tournaments during the program period to give participants a chance to exhibit their skills
Our Staff
Our program is staffed with overseer Coach Bill (BJ) Johnson, a (New Jersey Boxing Hall of Famer), Head Coach Arnold Robbins, and four of PAL’s best trainers. They are all devoted veterans of the sport, and it shows in the training they provide to our participants.
Our Staff
Our program is staffed with overseer Coach Bill (BJ) Johnson, a (New Jersey Boxing Hall of Famer), Head Coach Arnold Robbins, and four of PAL’s best trainers. They are all devoted veterans of the sport, and it shows in the training they provide to our participants.
Our coaches
Head Coach
Arnold Robbins
Coach
Patrick Perez
Coach
Donniel Parker
Coach
Laquan bright
Coach
Osnel Charles
William “BJ” Johnson
Senior Coach
Volunteer Judges
We are also fortunate to have two amateur and professional judges as volunteers for our program, Jean is also in the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. We are determined to bring back the ACPAL boxing notoriety by producing champions once again, which is one of our head coach Bill Johnson’s key phrase “I make champions”
Jean Williams
Gail Jasper