Patrick Mailata signs with Vodafone Events Centre CEO

Media Release, 26 September 2013 – for immediate release

Patrick Mailata signs with Vodafone Events Centre CEO

TAKING care of business is the focus of Patrick Mailata’s newly signed mentor and manager, Richard Jeffery.

Vodafone Events Centre’s CEO will guide the promising young boxer towards his amateur ambitions without the distractions that could divert Mailata’s attention from his training and competitions.

The 18-year-old is hot property in the boxing ring, with coaches and commentators eyeing up a top heavyweight prospect.

Jeffery spotted Mailata during his work with The Rising Foundation and he was determined Papakura High School’s former head boy would continue to develop his sporting talent and achieve his dreams.

“Patrick has a lot of hard training ahead of him but he has massive potential,” says Jeffery. “He’s aiming for the Commonwealth Games next year and the Rio Olympics in 2016.

“I’m mentoring him personally, keeping him focused on his amateur goals and developing a management strategy to maximise his potential.”

Vodafone Events Centre sponsored Mailata to compete at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships at Armenia in 2012 and continues to support him, with sponsorship and part-time employment.

Mailata juggles training and work with study of sport and recreation at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Right now Mailata is focused on the New Zealand Amateur Elite Championships at Auckland Boxing Association gym, Eden Terrace.

Mailata needs to win at the nationals this weekend to qualify for the Oceania Championships in Auckland in November and a win there gives him entry into the Commonwealth Games.

His coach Grant Arkell says Mailata is one in a hundred and he has exceptional talent but he needs to work hard.

The super-heavyweight athlete tips the scales at 119 kilograms and measures in at 1.91 metres but prepare to see Mailata drop a few kilos over the coming months with increased training and cardio work.

“I’ve coached him for three years and he’s the best super-heavyweight I’ve had,” says Arkell.

“We can take him so far and to really make it Patrick needs to do the work himself.”

Jeffery gives pro bono support to Mailata and he has regular contact with him at work in Manukau’s iconic events centre.

“He’s got talent and size and if he sticks to a rigid training routine – the sky’s the limit for Patrick,” says Jeffery.

The Rising Foundation

The Rising Foundation was established by John Bongard who believes in the potential of New Zealand’s youth and has seen first-hand how a sustained programme of intervention and support works.

A group of former South Auckland kids and those with ties to the community established The Rising Foundation to assist at-risk-youth to develop to their full potential.

Vodafone Events Centre CEO, Richard Jeffery, is a board member and says; “We don’t just forget about The Rising Foundation kids once they’ve gone through the organisation.

“If they’re going to be the best in the world, like Patrick Mailata, we want to help them achieve their full potential.”

Jeffery is determined to support the young role models who inspire other youth to strive for their dreams.

Another Rising Foundation star performer is New Zealand’s new junior Masterchef Anthony Kapeli-Sua.

Last year The Rising Foundation introduced the Papakura High School student to Gordon Ramsay who was impressed with the teenager’s cooking flair.

This week Kapeli-Sua partnered with fellow Papakura High School student, Joy Gesmundo and the duo claimed the top national prize, in the first National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge at Manukau Institute of Technology’s School of Culinary and Hospitality.

ENDS

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