Meet our Trainer of the Month: Jay Toope from PCYC Gold Coast

When did you join the PCYC Gold Coast team? 

I started in 2009 as a boxer and joined the team as a coach in March 2014. 

Why did you become a trainer? 

I finished my boxing career at PCYC Nerang. I won my 2nd elite state title in 2009 and then left for the Australian Defence Force. After the army, I had a few more fights out of PCYC Nerang and injury forced me to retire. During the short time I spent in a club, I really liked how they gave back to the youth.  

I joined PCYC Gold Coast in March 2014 as the Head Boxing Coach. I have been very fortunate enough to have impacted a lot of the kids’ lives who have walked through the door. I have coached state and national teams while I have been here and taken my own team overseas a few times.  

In August 2020, I took over as the Gym+Fitness Manager as I could see so much potential in the gym and I enjoy helping members in their fitness journey.  

I became a trainer to give back to a sport that saved my life as a teenager and gave me direction and hope.   

What is your favourite moment in fitness or sport? 

I won my 2nd elite state title in 2009. It was a pre-Commonwealth Games trial for Queensland. I had 7 in my division and I had 3 fights over 3 days. I won all 3, beating some good fighters and secured my spot on the team to go to the Australian titles. 

As a coach, my favourite moment was training a kid who initially started to get more exercise but eventually took to boxing and a year later won his first Australian title. It was also our team’s first Australian title; it was a very big deal as he was still very much a novice. 

What are you training for personally now? 

I have quite a few injuries from my time in the army, so training has always been to help keep me strong, so I’m not in pain. But I have decided I want to do something for myself, and I am currently doing an 8-week challenge and loving it. 

What is one word that describes you? 

Passionate. Allow your passion to become your purpose, and it will one day become your profession. 

Discover PCYC Gold Coast or view the club timetable.