"Wairarapa Police get behind a knock-out initiative "

The Wairarapa Boxing Academy (WBA) was formally opened last night by Billy Graham the Founder of the Naenae Boxing Academy along with Frazer Mailman from Masterton District Council and Laurence Titter, local business owner, turned boxing coach who runs the newly opened gym.

120 people turned up last night to the opening of the Wairarapa Boxing Academy in Masterton where Wairarapa youth aged from nine to 18 can go to box, or simply get help in other aspects of their lives.

The gym offers young people in its community two evening classes a week says head coach Laurence Titter.

“We currently have 30 members, mostly male, but we offer female classes too and we now have a woman coaching them.”

Laurence was 12-years-old when he walked into Billy’s gym with an attitude problem and Billy trained him for 12 years. On his own admission, he wasn’t on a straight and narrow path, and he wanted to do what Billy did in the Hutt, over in the Wairarapa.

Wairarapa Police is very supportive of this community initiative, which closely fits with New Zealand Police’s Prevention First approach to policing. The Billy Graham model aims to connect young people with mentors, and teach them confidence and discipline, and help them make the right choices to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Area Commander Inspector Scott Miller says he is very impressed with the ethics and values Laurence and his team are using in their approach to developing youth.

“I have personally seen young people involved this year grow in confidence and self-esteem which transfers into their everyday life at school and home in a very positive way”.

“Boxing and physical activity at the gym is only one part of the success of the programme, it is amazing to see young people learning and talking about their values and sharing those as a group.

“The Wairarapa Boxing Academy has started slowly on purpose, getting their structure and principles in place working with youth. At present it runs two nights a week but now aims to expand to running the gym fulltime with the help and support of the Wairarapa community which was seen by the large attendance at the official opening night - Friday 25th May 2018.”

“Police continue to have a very close association with the WBA and the Wairarapa Youth Charitable Trust working closely with head coach Laurence whose 12 year association with Billy Graham has put him in good stead in life.”

At a national level, Sergeant Dave Stone of New Zealand Police has been working with the Billy Graham Foundation to take this model nationwide.

“This programme has a successful track record of youth development, which is supported by the Commissioner of Police and locals alike. This was done in partnership with Police to achieve the Billy Graham Youth Foundation (BGYF) vision: vibrant, independent and responsible youth, contributing to their communities,” says Sergeant Stone.

“These academies have a great relationship with police, and what they teach ties in nicely with police values.”

This is the fourth academy based on Billy Graham’s Naenae Boxing Academy model.

ENDS

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