JOE Calzaghe is hopeful he can begin the process of getting boxing back into schools after unveiling the Joe Calzaghe Boxing Academy.

The Joe Calzaghe Boxing Academy –will offer young adults aged 16-18 the opportunity of pursuing their in-ring boxing ambitions whilst studying for EDEXCEL BTEC Sports courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3.

The courses will be based at carefully selected partner boxing clubs nationwide, taking students away from the traditional school environment and immersing them in a new culture, conducive to their ambitions. T

he focus will always be on attaining success and satisfaction for the individual whilst allowing them to fulfil their potential in a practical, yet education-tailored, environment.

TVS Education works with key sporting organisations, including over 50 Football League Clubs, to provide education opportunities for young people through the medium of sport. Its vision is to develop individuals by utilising their love of sport to harness their full educational potential.

And Calzaghe is hoping the new scheme is just the beginning.

“I wanted to give something back to boxing and I don’t need to do things motivated by money. This is something we’ve been discussing for a couple of years and when the opportunity came up I thought it was a chance to give back to boxing and to involve education and that appealed to me,” he told the Argus.

“Because of my involvement in boxing I never really had much of a chance or much of a desire to do much at school and that isn’t ideal. If it had all gone wrong for me with injury, I have no idea what I’d have done instead.

“That’s the case for a lot of boxers, they lack an education and 16-18 is a vulnerable age group. I don’t know if we are going to produce the next world champion for Wales, but we are going to give these kids a chance to shine in the ring and make sure they have something to fall back on.

“It gives discipline and when I was that age I had to fight, I had no choice, and I had no fall back. Who knows where I would be today? It gave me the life I’ve got and not just financially. It kept me away from trouble, I grew up on a council estate and I’ve got friends in prison who have got into a lot of trouble.

“I got my energies out in the ring and without that, who knows? So hopefully these kids will take to boxing and realise it is a great sport to focus on.

“I hope the children can relate to me, I come from a council estate, I hated school, I was bullied, I think there is a lot they will find familiar there.

“I came from nothing and boxing made me what I am today. Getting to talk to these kids at an impressionable age and hopefully inspiring them, that’s my plan.”

However, it would be more accurate to assess that as phase one.

“The ultimate aim, the end game for us if you like, is to get boxing back in schools and on the curriculum,” he added.

“Personally I’ve always thought that, it would be controversial but would take care of a lot of trouble and keep kids off the street and help with bullying, it can give children confidence, an outlook and a discipline. It can make you a better person.”

TVS Education’s Chief Executive Alan Whiteley added: “The Joe Calzaghe Boxing Academy will offer young people a tremendous opportunity to pursue their boxing dream in conjunction with a sound educational footing. TVS Education is delighted to be the Academy’s exclusive partner.

“With the ever increasing pressure on young adults to gain qualifications, find work or go onto university, the JCBA is a fantastic alternative to the traditional routes of study. In conjunction with the JCBA, TVS Education is relishing the opportunity of being able to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people – combining education with sport.”