Heart of Hayling Boxing Academy, a new venture on Hayling Island, taking its inspiration from ‘Q’ Shillingford MBE, the founder of the Heart of Portsmouth boxing club has started up to offer youngsters, both boys and girls, from age five upwards a boxing programme that teaches the basics of the sport along with key skills such as team work, problem solving, research, discussion and improving learning and performance.
The idea for the academy came from Mark Coates, a Lead Practitioner at the Hayling College, who said: “There has been a clear need for such a club as there is currently a void for giving an opportunity to a wide variety of youngsters to whom standard sports do not appeal. The academy will work within the GB ABA structure to gain recognised achievements, give awards, raise aspirations and help individuals to gain mutual respect as some youngsters recognise the art of boxing when they do not recognise other community aspects.
“Overall I see this developing youngsters into higher pathways and progression, while being fun and accessible to all.
“This will give all children and young people from age five upwards the opportunity to develop social skills in a disciplined environment while having fun and improving general fitness levels. Non-contact boxing has been found to be a great way to reach those youngsters that are looking for a programme of physical activity not covered in other leisure time pursuits”.
The costs involved in setting up the academy are being borne by the Hayling Lions, who have generously agreed to back the initiative which has been found to have very positive results across other parts of the UK in assisting with anger management, stress, confidence building, mental health issues and fitness particularly in troubled young persons.
The Academy is fully supported by the Hampshire Police Force with volunteers drawn from the force, firemen from Hampshire Fire & Rescue’s, Hayling Fire station, community first responders and personnel from across the Island selected as role models for their community to be trained as boxing tutors.
The initial training of the 24 volunteer Boxing Tutors was carried out in December by Q Shillingford and Knox White, both former Royal Navy personnel with Q being a PTI and Knoxy a three times member of the Navy Field Gun crew who competed at Earls Court in the Royal Tournament in what has been described as the toughest team sport in the world.
Sessions will be initially be held weekly on Wednesdays at the Hayling Community Centre, Station Road, from 9th January, and are open to any youngsters from any background, whether able bodied or with a disability.
To participate, contact the academy administrator Wendy Coates on 02392 464391 or wendylcoates@btinternet.com.
