Unison Ringside for Flaxmere Boxing Academy

Unison Ringside for Flaxmere Boxing Academy

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Jason Youthed works the bag during training. Learning self-confidence, self-esteem, and good decision making strategies are core fundamentals of the Flaxmere Boxing Academy programme.

24 April 2013 - After just three terms, Unison Networks’ sponsored Flaxmere Boxing Academy is over-subscribed for members, with a second junior squad and casual fitness sessions soon to be added to the timetable.

Head Trainer Craig McDougall said the support from electricity distributor Unison, the community and parents had been amazing.

“Unison has been with us from the start, allowing us to establish the Academy. Since then other businesses from the community have weighed in with support, and thanks to this widespread support we send these kids home with a well-trained body, an encouraged heart, and good nutrition in their stomachs. It’s a real highlight for me to have Mum’s and Dad’s come in to the gym just to say thank you.”

The Academy requires all children to sign a ‘contract’ agreeing to a standard of behaviour at the gym, at home and at school, and Academy coaches keep in regular contact with teachers and parents.

“I’ve noticed a real improvement in the self-esteem and behaviour of my boys since they started. It means so much to them to be part of the Academy that they won’t risk breaking their contract and missing out on the fun. I like that even if they do break the contract they are not excluded, but rather have to do some remedial work with the coaches and learn from their mistakes,” said mother, Leascha Monks.

Unison Group Chief Executive Officer Ken Sutherland said the Company was thrilled to see the Flaxmere Boxing Academy achieving its goal of changing lives.

“Flaxmere Boxing Academy shares Unison’s passion for changing communities through positive engagement. The vast majority of parents don’t enrol their children in the Academy to become boxers, but rather because they recognise the Academy develops their hearts and minds, as well as their bodies.”

Mr McDougall said Academy members learned self-defence and self-confidence, but the main focus of the Academy was to educate youth and provide them with quality-decision making tools through the mechanism of sport – a philosophy they will be extending into four local primary schools in the new school term.

“We had school social workers approach us to take on children who needed good male role models, but unfortunately our classes were full. So we developed a programme in partnership with the schools, where each can identify three to four children needing support, and send them to sessions during school hours at our facility. We will work to develop their self-confidence and leadership through sport and, as part of their development, they will help us run a fitness session at their school for 20-30 of their peers.

The programme will encourage parental involvement, and includes support from the Police and Fire Service, and aims to fill a need for more positive male role models at the primary school level.

“Unison will continue to be ringside, supporting the Academy to develop their programme. The Academy is not only developing children, but also coaches and families, and these are foundations for building strong communities,” said Mr Sutherland.

ENDS

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