A Force for Change: Celebrating Award Winning Coach Yulissa Agudelo and her Impact on Youth Boxing for International Women’s Day

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – March 2025

“I thoroughly enjoy seeing women and young kids flourish.”

By David Grossman

For Yulissa (Yuli) Agudelo, it has always been about helping people.

As a youngster, her goal was to do whatever was necessary that would lead to shining a bright spotlight on life in the community. That may very well have been a preliminary signal of big things to come from this caring and devoted individual.

Plans to pursue a career in law enforcement had been front and centre.

Agudelo would go on to study the practical aspects, applications and components offered in a two-year program called Police Foundations at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.

Those post-secondary studies also dealt with the theory of human relations and how the knowledge could be applied to any passage in life. For Agudelo, the topics on how to deal with, advise and coach people would become fascinating. Theory and wisdom combined with learning and proficiency would strengthen skills.

What was taking shape was something special.

Energized by her strong and vibrant personality, with some previous experience assisting others as a swim instructor and mentoring youngsters in soccer, Agudelo was embracing the world of coaching. It would be something she would not only go on to thoroughly enjoy – but benefit and encourage others.

So how does the sport of boxing enter her life?

There had been a time in her life when Agudelo struggled with anger and various forms of apprehension. They may very well have been related to a series of traumatic events that happened to her as a teenager.

It was at age 16, that Agudelo turned to boxing. With no previous experience in the sport, she saw it as a means of relieving irritability. Shuffling off to a gym, putting on padded gloves to challenge punching bags were not only a great form of exercise, improving strength, coordination and endurance, but a superb way to reduce stress and anxiousness.

“Coaching became my life at the age of 21,” said Agudelo who, in her high school days, was a multi-sport athlete. “There were never any plans to compete as a boxer, but I saw (boxing) as an opportunity, with way more passion, to help young kids deal with some of their own challenges.”

Agudelo can’t pinpoint the exact time when she had been invited to volunteer at a boxing gym. She was intrigued and quite a bit of excitement kicked in.

“That did it for me,” she said. “Most kids don’t have a voice, and I saw it as a way I could help kids the way the boxing ring had helped me. It brings confidence and discipline to a person and can change lives, for the better, for a teenager with challenges and problems.”

Agudelo was a multi-sport athlete in high school. As for why she didn’t step in to the ring to compete, that remains a personal decision. A contributing factor could be that she sustained a series of concussions while competing in other sports.

OnInternational Women’s Day, set for March 8^th of this year, it’s a day to highlight women around the world, and give much attention to focusing on cultural, economic, and social achievements. Yes, that includes the important duty of coaching in sports.

When one mentions coaching, some say it’s all about respect. Taking responsibility for one’s actions and then making positive decisions are important. Even moreso to young people who are thirsty for knowledge and looking to excel.

Coaching styles can change. While there are studies that show years of psychological research suggesting there is a big difference between what we think we will do as a coach, and what we end up doing, being energized by positive opportunities is a bonus.

For the past five years, Agudelo has made the Boomerz Boxing Club her home away from home. It’s one of the largest boxing clubs in London and you’ll find her offering coaching techniques and advice – in her ravenous desire to help – to people between the ages of seven and 45.

“While a man’s ego is strong in this sport, I thoroughly enjoy seeing women and young kids flourish,” said Agudelo. “I saw potential, skill and talent in a young boxer that I helped – and it has been my highlight so far.”

In October of 2024, Agudelo was at the under-19 World championships in Colorado as part of her coaching internship with Team Canada. A few months earlier, Agudelo went to the Canadian Nationals in Calgary along with a 16-year-old boxer she has been coaching for several years. Her name: April (Stinger) Kelly.

Kelly, who has a lifetime record of 17 wins and two losses, left the Canadian championships with a gold medal.

For young boxers, learning from Agudelo – an enthusiastic and assertive individual – has resulted in one success story after another.

“This was big for (Kelly) – and for me,” said Agudelo, who is completing her third level certification as a competition development coach with Boxing Canada.

“Observing boxers and coaches from other countries was educational and rewarding. One day, if all goes well, I would like to coach for Canada at an Olympics.”

Agudelo also caught the attention of the Coaches Association of Ontario who, along with Hydro One Inc., was one of the recipients of the province’s most prestigious coaching award that recognizes the power of sport across local communities in Ontario.

“I remember getting a call informing me that I was selected for the (CAO) award,” she said. “I knew that I was being nominated but thought, with all the great coaches, I didn’t think I would be selected. For me, it’s the most important award that I have ever received.”

Recipients of the Coaching Excellence Award were selected from nominations received from across more than 30 sports and 50 communities. The annual award honours coaches at all levels for their unique commitment to inspiring, innovating, and sharing sports knowledge.

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.