As an owner, operator, and cerified boxing coach of 757 Boxing Club I am writing to express my concerns in regards to the new Virginia laws concerning amateur boxing implemented October 1, 2015. I am baffled to read HOUSE BILL NO. 1228 Offered January 19, 2016 and speak on the behalf of my club, athletes, and staff when I say that I am absolutely opposed to the law.

This new law will kill amateur boxing in the state of virginia and cause our kids, youth, and youth adult athletes dreams to be crushed. Amateur boxing events has always been sanction by and governed under USA Amateur boxing. Children ages 8-17 Junior Olympic and youth boxers as well as 18-40 should not be treated as professional boxers nor should they be required to have test done for anitbodies.

Most kids are at risk and come from single parenting homes it is very expensive for a single parent to afford to pay for registrations every year, gym fees for private owned gyms, and equipment for competition.

This bill prevents our kids from competing in state tournaments for advancement to Regional and National tournaments as well as Junior Olympics Nationals and senior boxers also and and represent virginia in the Olympic games.

I ask that you take our concerns into consideration for the sake of our young athetes and exempt amateur boxing from this HB 1228.

Thank you in advance for the opportunity to voice our concerns. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone (757) 717=5291 if you have any questions in regards to this matter.

v/r

Coach Reggie Barnett Sr

757 Boxing Club