Champ’s Gym: Where Champions Are Made

Youth boxing and athletic training in Roanoke, Virginia since 1972. No experience necessary. Free to join.

What Is Champ’s Gym?

Champ's Gym is one of Roanoke's oldest and most trusted youth athletic programs. Founded in 1972 by Earnest "Champ" Cabbler and James Cabbler, the gym was built on a simple premise - that the discipline of boxing could change the trajectory of a young person's life. More than fifty years later, that premise has been proven right thousands of times over.

Champ's Gym operates as a division of Melrose Athletic Club, Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every program we offer is free to participating youth. No experience is required to join. No barriers to entry. Just a coach, a corner, and a commitment to showing up for Roanoke's next generation.

Champ's Gym photo collage showing decades of athletes, coaches, and youth training at Melrose Athletic Club in Roanoke Virginia

It’s More Than Boxing

Ask any parent whose child trains here and they will tell you the same thing. The boxing is real, but it is not the point. Inside these ropes, young people learn discipline that follows them to the classroom, respect that follows them home, and confidence that follows them everywhere. Every session is structured. Every athlete is held accountable. Every kid is seen.

That is why mentorship is built into every single day at Champ's Gym, not bolted on as an afterthought. Our coaches are in these kids' corners long after the gloves come off, checking on grades, talking through problems, and showing up the way consistent adults are supposed to. Fifty years of champions came out of this gym. The ones we are proudest of never turned pro. They turned into good men and women.

Meet Your Coach’s

Every coach, mentor, and leader at Melrose Athletic Club is here for one reason. Your kid.

The strength of Melrose Athletic Club has never been in its equipment or its facilities. It has always been in its people. The coaches and mentors who give their time, their experience, and their presence to the youth of Roanoke are the reason this organization has lasted more than fifty years.

Our team brings decades of combined experience in athletic training, youth development, and community mentorship. Every person who works with our youth is committed to one standard - show up consistently, invest genuinely, and never give up on a kid who hasn't given up on themselves.

Melrose Athletic Club M.A.C. circular logo with boxing figure in red and blue

Jamie Henderson - Head Coach

Jamie has dedicated years to training and mentoring Roanoke youth through Champ's Gym. He brings consistency, patience, and a genuine investment in every athlete who walks through the door.

Ready to Get Started?

Champ's Gym is open to Roanoke youth ages 8 and up. Participation is completely free - no registration fees, no equipment costs, no barriers. If your child is ready to step on the gym floor, we are ready for them.

To get started, reach out to us directly. Our current schedule is built around our volunteer coaching staff, and availability can vary. Contact us to find out about current days, times, and open gym sessions. We will get you the information you need and make sure your child has a spot.

Champ's Gym will always be free for the youth we serve. If you are in a position to give something back, even a small donation at enrollment goes a long way toward keeping our doors open and our coaches on the floor. Every dollar helps us build toward a more consistent program for every kid in this community. But if you cannot give, that is okay too. Just show up. That is enough.

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Champs Gym FAQs

  • How old does my child need to be to join Champ's Gym?

    We welcome youth ages 8 and up. No experience is necessary, our coaches work with beginners at every level and meet every athlete where they are.

  • Is Champ's Gym really free?

    Yes. Champ's Gym is a division of Melrose Athletic Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We believe cost should never be a barrier to opportunity. Participation is completely free for all youth.

  • What should my child bring to their first session?

    Just themselves and a willingness to work. We will take care of the rest. Comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers are all they need to get started.

  • Is boxing safe for kids?

    Absolutely. Our training is structured, supervised, and age-appropriate. Safety is our first priority on the gym floor. Every session is coached by experienced staff who prioritize proper technique and a controlled training environment.

  • How do I sign up?

    Contact us directly through our website or by phone. Our schedule is built around our coaching staff availability - reach out and we will get your child squared away with current session times and next steps.

Fifty Years In. Still Fighting For Roanoke's Youth.

Your donation keeps our doors open and our athletes on the floor.

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