Frequently Asked Questions

Presented by Mandy Bujold, Canadian Olympic Boxer, Champions for Charity is an opportunity for business professionals with no prior boxing experience to test their skills and stamina and step into the boxing ring (after undergoing 15 weeks of training) while raising funds for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation

Mandy Bujold is a local boxing champion who has been representing Canada on the international stage for over 16 years. Mandy has become the longest reigning Canadian champion in history and is a 2x Olympian, 2-time Pan Am Games Gold Medalist and a Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist. Mandy’s passion for boxing and giving back to her community has inspired her to launch Champions for Charity, a black tie Vegas style event that packs a punch of purpose, where business professionals don their gloves to champion causes that truly matter.

Any male or female business professional who thinks they have what it takes to step into the boxing ring.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who would like to step into the ring for charity. This is your opportunity to become a Champion for Charity while getting into the best shape of your life. No experience required. This is a chance to represent your company and inspire fellow employees and clients to give back to a worthy cause. If we can find a match for fight night, our team of professionals will guide you through the preparation process every step of the way. 

Fight for those who can’t because YOU are a CHAMPION! 

You must register for the tryouts on our website champsforcharity.ca

Tryouts are held at Sydfit Gym in Kitchener. (180 St Leger St. Kitchener, ON)

In addition to the questionnaire on the registration page, you will need to sign a gym waiver once you arrive at Sydfit. Headshots and weights will be taken upon arrival to ensure potential matches are made according to Boxing Canada rules and regulations.

During the tryouts our team of coaches will assess your overall potential as well as possible matches. In order for you to take part in the event we will need to ensure there is a match by assessing weight, age, height and general fitness levels. 

After the tryouts, all boxers who are extended an offer to participate will undergo a medical and training for 15 weeks. Champions for Charity is sanctioned by Boxing Ontario.

Sydfit is a full service gym in Kitchener, Ontario offering personal training (private, semi-private and group classes). The gym is open to both professional athletes and clients, from beginners to advanced levels, who are interested in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Syd Vanderpool is a champion boxer and certified coach and trainer who brings more than 16 years of professional boxing and training experience to his members. Syd’s unique abilities in and out of the ring make him both a motivational coach as well as a highly sought-after sports trainer.

Our goal is to have 16-18 individuals move on from tryouts to training so that we can have 7 to 9 bouts on Fight Night.

Participant announcements will be made by Dec 2nd, 2024 at which point each individual will be contacted via email and will need to accept the invitation to participate. 

You will be extended an offer to participate in the Champions for Charity event being held on April 4, 2025 at The Tapestry Hall in Cambridge, Ontario. 

Each participant will receive a 15-week training program that will be customized by former ranked #1 boxer in the world, Syd Vanderpool or Canadian Champion Kaitlyn Clark.

In addition to the training, all competitors will undergo a medical assessment and will be registered with Boxing Ontario.

All competitors are expected to set-up a personal fundraising page through the Champions for Charity website, and solicit donations from their friends, families and colleagues. Most boxers aim to raise between $5,000 – $10,000 but we will have a set goal of a $2000 minimum.

Training will begin the week of January 6, 2025 just in time to help you stick to your new years’ resolution. There may be 1-2 intro classed in December 2024. A full schedule will be shared once you are selected.

Each week will consist of Two to three boxing sessions at Sydfit gym and one strength and conditioning session at The Armoury. 

All boxing sessions will be done with your team (Red or Blue) and your team coach. 

During the first few weeks each individual selected will go through one session of specialized testing with the team at The Armoury. This will be a great baseline for each athlete and provide the coaching staff with more insights in where to focus training efforts. Testing will include DEXA body composition scanning and reaction testing using Dynavision board. 

Some of the weekly training sessions include:

Specific Strength and Conditioning training at The Armoury

•   Conditioning training recommendations

Boxing Skills & Technique

• Learn the fundamental skills of boxing
• Learn and improve on offense and defensive maneuvers

 Fighting Tactics and Strategy

• Learn how to spar safely and effectively
• Learn how to fight different types of opponents
• Learn the best way to engage and defend against an opponent

 Mental Training

• Learn the mindset it takes to enter the ring at your best
• Learn how to use your mind to push your body to the next level
• Learn how to relax your mind to allow for maximum performance

 Nutrition Recommendations

• Learn tips on how to fuel your body for recovery and improved performance

 Remember our team of experts will be here to guide you through the entire process!

Yes, there will be a professional photo shoot day. These images will be used for the event program. You will be asked to arrive in black tie attire for your 15 min time slot at the studio. 

There will also be a visit to the charity. This is a very important day for you to see first hand where all your hard work and fundraising is going to support. You will have an opportunity to speak with the staff and learn about the needs of these facilities and how they impact our community. 

The event organizer does her best to provide schedules and lots of notice for all events outside of training.

To tryout – there is no fee or expense associated with trying out.

If you are selected to compete, the boxer registration fee is $850 and includes:

• Boxing Ontario Registration (Value $150)
• 15 Week training program designed by Sydfit (Value $2205)
• 15 Strength and Conditioning sessions at The Armoury (Value $1125)
• Boxer medical *(Only provided if you use the doctor provided by organizers. Personal physicians may charge up to $150 to complete forms)
• Professional Fitness Testing provided by The Armoury (Value $1750)
• Everlast training package and discount code (Value $400)
• Custom fitting mouthguard provided by King East Dental Care (Value $250)
• Nutrition session
• Professional photo shoot (2 Images provided)
• And so much more…

 Boxers only pay $850 for a training package valued over $5500

The Armoury Sports Medicine and Performance Clinic is a one of a kind sports medicine clinic aimed at assisting athletes of all ages reach their full potential. The Armoury has generously donated a portion of their time to support the Champions for Charity teams in preparation for fight night. 

The Armoury has a team of top clinicians that are able to help with diagnosis, rehab and performance. Sport medicine physicians are able to accurately diagnose your injury and order imaging if necessary. The Armoury is one of a few clinics in the province to offer DEXA body composition scanning and V02 max testing. To treat your injury or improve performance you might see one of our expert therapists including physiotherapy, chiropractor, massage therapy, occupational therapy, naturopathic medicine, mental performance and yoga therapy. 

The Armoury has specialized high-tech equipment such as Anti-gravity Treadmill for lower limb injury rehab and Dynavision to enhance speed, reaction time and concentration. Their strength and conditioning specialists are certified with the national strength and conditioning association. They develop fitness programs for teams and individuals using scientific principles. They can use wireless complex to enhance neuromuscular excitation to create faster and stronger muscle contractions. Their naturopath uses data such as resting metabolic rate, micro and macro nutrients, and specialized testing to assess metabolic requirements for performance. Advanced supplementation with nutriceuticals aids in performance and recovery. The Armoury is there to support all active individuals and athletes in our community.

• Raise awareness through your personal networks and within social platforms
• Commit to the 15-week training program
• Fundraising (please understand this event is to raise money for charity so we expect that you help us by fundraising or by making a significant donation)
• Assist in lead generation for sponsorships and table sales (Encourage your company to buy a table)
• Get fit and have fun

There will be a limited number of tables for sale and they will be sold on a first come first served basis. In 2024, the tables sold out within 5 minutes. We are asking that each individual participating ask their company to purchase a minimum of one table to come out and support them. Each table will seat 8-10 people and will come with a delicious dinner catered by The Tapestry Hall team. Tables will be between $3000-$3500 and will come with a business receipt. 

Each match is an individual event; however, boxers will be placed on either a red team or a blue team depending on their corner on fight night.  Each team will have a combined fundraising goal.

Medals will be awarded after each match, and prizes will be awarded to the top male and female fundraisers.

April 4, 2025 at The Tapestry Hall in Cambridge.  Tapestry Hall has generously donated the space to host this charity event. This is a black tie event.

Net proceeds from the event will go directly to the Charity. In 2019, Champions for Charity raised $164,000 for our charities. In 2024 in our comeback event, Champions for Charity raised an impressive $340,000 for McMaster Children’s Hospital and an additional $18,000 for KidsAbility and Scotland’s Yard during the event. 

You will receive a tax receipt for any funds you donate to the event or to your own fundraising efforts; registration fees are not eligible for a tax receipt under CRA guidelines.

Tables will be available for sale on January 15th. Individual Mezzanine tickets will be sold at a later date for the event. If your company is interested in sponsoring the event or would like to purchase a table please contact Mandy at info@champsforcharity.ca.

Donate to one of our boxers fundraising pages, sponsor the event or buy a table.  For more information contact Mandy at info@championsforcharity.ca

April 2025!!

Everlast is generously donating some of the gear needed for training including hand wraps, training gloves, t-shirt, skipping rope and a few other accessories. They will also provide the boxing uniform used on fight night. Everlast will also offer a significant reduction for other gear that might be needed for fight night or training including headgear, shoes, robes, fight shorts, cups etc. There will be some equipment that needs to be purchased outside what we will provide.

Everlast is generously donating the gloves needed for fight night. 

Participants will need to purchase a boxing headgear (same one for sparring) but will be provided with a discount code if purchasing through Everlast. Male participants will be responsible for purchasing a jock.