Tryouts for this year’s Aprons For Gloves industry boxing matches are on the horizon. These details are copied from our inbox. We’ve included an image gallery below (shots by Elena Doyle and Guy Roland) that will give you an idea as to how it goes down…

On April 23 and 24th Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association will host tryouts for the 2016 Restaurant Rumble at Eastside Boxing Club (238 Keefer St.). Celebrating Aprons for Gloves’ five year anniversary, local bartenders, baristas, barbers and butchers will trade in their aprons for a pair of boxing gloves and face off to raise funds for Eastside Boxing Club’s at-risk youth programs. The main event will take place on July 27th, 2016 at the Commodore Ballroom.

To be eligible to participate in the Restaurant Rumble, contestants must be employed in the service sector or be sponsored by a local employer in the service sector. Contenders must also have an appropriate match up in both weight and skill level, participate in and complete the provided training and raise $2000 through a personal Fundrazr page. Once fighters have been selected, fight announcements will take place on July 10th. A dress rehearsal and contender weigh-in will take place on July 26th before the main event on July 27th at the Commodore Ballroom. Tickets for the Restaurant Rumble will be available in July at varied prices.

“Every year we look forward to our Restaurant Rumble,” said Coach Dave Schuck, Head Coach at Eastside Boxing Club. “The support we receive from the community fuels our programs and inspires us to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Since reopening their doors in September 2015, Eastside Boxing Club has partnered with several different community organizations and introduced 67 at-risk youth to boxing. The partnerships Eastside Boxing Club has established has helped at-risk youth and children gain access to nutritious food, medical assessments and one-on-one support from youth workers at Network of Inner City Community Service Society and Britannia’s youth engagement projects.

Locals working in the service sector who are interested in trying out for the 2016 Restaurant Rumble can sign up at apronsforgloves.com.

About Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association | Founded in 2012, Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing. Based in Vancouver’s downtown east side community Gastown, the organization was developed by a small group of professionals and entrepreneurs who seized an opportunity to re-establish a historic boxing program for at-risk women and youth. The program offers free mentorship and training to individuals who may otherwise not have the resources or support to participate in such activities. The sport of boxing teaches discipline, respect, hard work and self-control. Training results in positive self-esteem, good health and camaraderie for its practitioners. For more information, please visit apronsforgloves.com.

About Eastside Boxing Club | Eastside Boxing Club (ESB) is a not-for-profit gym located at the heart of Chinatown in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that trains pro, amateur and recreational boxers. Dave Schuck founded the gym in 2012 after the closure of Astoria Boxing Club where he was the head coach. Working with several NPO in Downtown Vancouver, ESB is committed to continuing to facilitate free exercise programs for at risk youth and women that have been exposed to violence. Believing that everyone deserves accessibility to exercise, the ESB mission is to be an inclusive community focused gym that delivers high quality boxing training.