West Coast Wonder Women+ (WCWW+), an all-female+ international amateur boxing card, returns for the 4th edition on May 19 to 21, 2023, in Sooke, BC, Canada. The tournament, which is only one of five all-female+ boxing cards worldwide, is set to host over 100 athletes from around the globe. Over three days, the Sooke Community Hall will host a diverse group of athletes ranging from returning champions to rookies participating in their first competitive bout.
WCWW+’s mission is to redefine the historical and social perceptions of boxing and to create opportunities for women+ in a male-dominated sport. The boxing card promotes diversity, inclusion and resilience, bringing together athletes of all ages, nationalities and weight classes. Among the athletes competing will be female+ and non-binary fighters. The event looks forward to a future where they will be able to host Canada’s first competitive transgender bout.
WCWW+ was founded in 2018 by Ellen Connor, president of the non-profit Sooke Boxing Club and an experienced NCCP Certified Level 1 Boxing Canada coach. As a full-time Federal Correctional Manager, Ellen established WCWW+ after experiencing the challenge of finding opportunities for competitive bouts for female fighters. Her hope is that by raising awareness and support for the WCWW+ boxing card, women+ worldwide will compete in Sooke and generate more opportunities for amateur female+ fighters.
WCWW+ Founder, Ellen Connor said, “We’re extremely excited about this year’s boxing card, and the fact that we can continue to grow participation year after year is very pleasing. After three years of being impacted by the pandemic, we’re again able to provide a platform for amateur female+ athletes from around the globe to compete and pursue their passion.”
WCWW+ is supported by over 15 local partners, including Route 14 Restaurant, Village Food Markets, Zone Radio 91.3fm and The Athlete Centre. WCWW+ is a proud recipient of Canadian Women & Sport’s Spotlight Grant, which is part of the Community Sport for All initiative. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Canadian Women & Sport’s CEO, Allison Sandmeyer-Graves commented, “WCWW+ is part of a dynamic group of organizations and leaders who are transforming the sport experiences of women, girls and gender-diverse individuals across Canada. We are honoured to support initiatives like the WCWW+ and thank Ellen’s and the team’s dedication and commitment to equity.”
WCWW+ is held in the coastal town of Sooke, joining San Francisco, USA; Dublin, Ireland; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and Borås, Sweden, as the only cities in the world to host annual international all-female boxing cards.
WCWW+ is searching for more like-minded brand partners and sponsors to support this year’s athletes and add value to the attendee experience. One-day tickets and weekend passes for children and adults are available at the door and online at https://westcoastwonderwomen.net/tickets/
