YMCA Nelson Boxing Gym receives Award
August 7, 2012
This programme was set up in May 2011 and in the short time they have existed they have grown from one weekly session with 15 participants to 6 weekly sessions with over 60- participants. There is a core group of six volunteers who are the real drivers behind this programme and dedicate up to 280 hours every month to coaching, transporting kids to-and-from sessions, preparing food and being mentors. Their infectious passion, energy and determination has seen the community also get behind the cause by providing resources, equipment, funding as well as
more wonderful volunteers.
It has even attracted the support of several well known trainers, including seven-time national champion and Commonwealth Games representative Dean Rackley and South Island welterweight title winner Brendan Temple.
Local schools, agencies and the wider community have reported that young people engaged in the programme have developed improved physical skills, co-ordination, concentration and achievement in school, increased levels of health and well being as well as many other benefits — and you can't get better feedback than that!
It's an incredibly positive project that has stepped up and answered a community's need — congratulations on such a successful programme!