School boxing sessions knocking down barriers with young people

A Police and Crime Commissioner funded project that provides non-contact boxing training is helping to keep children in Torfaen active and in school.

Youth charity Empire Fighting Chance is working with schools in Cwmbran and Pontypool, offering training sessions to selected children as an alternative to the curriculum.

Empire Fighting Chance’s coaches integrate non-contact boxing with mentoring and psychological education, using the gaps between training to discuss appropriate behaviours, and have open and honest conversations with children about issues that may be affecting them.

Ben Whitworth, coach at Empire Fighting Chance, said: “The sessions we run help to increase young people’s confidence, build motivation, and reduce anxiety and other mental health issues.

“Many of the children we are working with struggle with traditional classroom learning and by offering them an alternative we are also helping to increase their attendance at school and to realise their full potential.”

The project is being supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner through his community fund which is used to fund projects that support children and young people who may be at risk of becoming involved with crime and antisocial behaviour.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “These sessions are helping children to understand about physical fitness, nutrition and discipline.

“By offering children and young people the chance to take part in positive activities at an early age we are reinforcing good behaviours and helping to set the ground work that will allow them to have a happy and healthy future.”