St Joseph’s Amateur Boxing club which benefitted from money seized from criminals is encouraging other community projects to apply for the funding. St Joseph’s, was awarded £5,000 last year by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston from his Partnership Fund.

The Gwent PCC Fund is again open for bids from charities, voluntary organisations and community groups involved in activities that have a positive impact on their communities. Each group will be able to apply for between £250 and £10,000 from the £150,000 available and will have to demonstrate the positive impact their project would have on their community.

St. Joseph’s applied for the grant last year because they were becoming so busy that they were in danger of turning potential participants away. St Joseph’s have used the grant money to provide the necessary equipment to open an Academy predominantly for youngsters under the age of ten, the minimum age to box.

Club coach Bill Reynolds said, “We are constantly evaluating the classes and sessions we run to make sure that the club’s facilities are used to optimum level. The Academy has allowed us to run additional classes on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in order to cope with the demand.”

Not all of the youngsters taking part will box or wish to box competitively but they, and their parents, who are often present at the sessions, recognise that boxing is an excellent way of keeping fit and is often instrumental in reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour particularly in deprived areas. At its most basic level the Academy offers all members of the community the opportunity to exercise and keep fit through the medium of boxing which teaches discipline, self- control and promotes general good health This is particularly effective with young people who need an outlet for their pent up energies and as a way of expressing themselves, keeping fit and socialising with others in the community.

The grant money and the success of the Academy initiative has also allowed the present St Joseph’s coaches to continue their own development in the sport by enrolling on advanced “Strength and Conditioning” qualifications that complement the demand of the sport. The club also felt, as a matter of priority, that current active boxers enrol on courses specific to the amateur code. Two willing volunteers are Middleweight Danny Barton and Light heavyweight Zhivago Greaux. Both of these two boxers fit their own training schedule and work patterns around the Academy sessions. Zhivago Greaux said,

“I thoroughly enjoy showing the younger members the techniques and drills that Bill (Reynolds) and Tony (Borg) have shown me over the years and it’s particularly rewarding because some of them are now ready to have a competitive bout.”

The bout in question will take place at the Caldicot Labour club on Friday 13th February. The show will be feature twelve bouts with at least three of these being the debut for boxers who have progressed through the Academy initiative. Tickets for the event are available on the door or from the gym; for further information contact the gym on 01633 663003.