On Tuesday 9th October Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill stepped into North Glasgow ABC Academy’s boxing ring and joined young boxers who have taken up the sport up for free.
In North Glasgow ABC, 35 young boxers have been attending weekly free non-contact boxing sessions thanks to funding from CashBack for Communities. Academy boxers from nearby club Rob Roy ABC were also in attendance, as part of a club ‘integration’ initiative which assists in breaking down territorial barriers between young people from different areas.
Visiting the club, Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill MSP said: “I am delighted to see new clubs come on board and more young people being put through their paces through Amateur Boxing’s CashBack for communities scheme. Scotland has a great track record in boxing and the discipline is a great way to put young people on a positive path in life, keep kids on the straight and narrow and encourage respect, discipline and physical fitness.
“Our CashBack programmes use the ill-gotten gains of criminals to create safer communities by encouraging encourage young people off the streets and into positive activities.”
For boxers Chris Donohue and Catherine Rodgers, the boxing academy provides much more than keeping fit and staying out of trouble.
Chris Donohue said: “I am really enjoying the Academy sessions; I can feel myself getting fitter week by week and have made some good mates already. Also, before I started the boxing I was unemployed, but since joining the club one of the other members put a good word in for me and now I am in full-time employment.”
“Since joining the club I am training alongside other people from different schemes” said Catherine Rodgers, “whereas before I probably wouldn’t have mixed with them because of the scheme they are from. I never thought about trying boxing before but I saw the posters and thought I’d give it a go – now I’m addicted to it! Once I graduate from the Academy programme I have asked the coach if I can register to compete, which will make me the first female competitive boxer North Glasgow ABC has ever had.”
Volunteer Coach Willie McClelland said: “Everyone knows that boxing gets you fit, but it also helps achieve so much more. During the sessions we take time out to chat to the youngsters about everything from healthy eating to respect for others. Discipline is a characteristic that boxing develops naturally, as you have to be disciplined in order to reach your full potential – and that is what every boxing coach pushes for in every boxer. These free sessions have been an overwhelming success, not only are they increasing participation within the sport but also it’s giving our local youngsters something to do on an evening, and it doesn’t cost them a penny.”
There are now 30 amateur boxing clubs throughout Scotland delivering free non-contact sessions as part of the Cashback Amateur Boxing Academy. Participant numbers have increased significantly as the number of Academy clubs has trebled since session delivery started back in January, with approximately 600 young people expected to be attending the Academy sessions each week.
A selection of photos from the evening can be viewed below;
