Giving Them A Sporting Chance

(Thanks to David Walker)

On 28^th June a new £18,000 initiative to help young men with a background of violence and crime in Bedfordshire to take up sport as an alternative way to attain self-esteem and achievement. The initiative is a collaboration by Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service and WBC (World Boxing Council) Sporting Chances

WBC Sporting Chances is delivery arm of the World Boxing Council’s  Global WBCares Charity  for the UK. The WBC uses its global platform to reach out across the world to help the young, disadvantaged and disenfranchised people. Through their sporting programs and with the help of their former world champions and ambassadors providing positive roles models they show young people there are better ways and help them to make a positive change in their lives.

The initiative, is funded by Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP Phase 2 Funding), Bedford  Mayor’s Office and Private Enterprise Contribution will be launched on 29^th June by the Former Super Middleweight World Champion and WBC ambassador, Glenn “Catman” Catley, Also in attendance from Bedfordshire will be Olympic Bronze Medalist, Former European Champion and World Amateur Finalist, Bobby George plus two local roles models and professional boxers Marco Stephenson and Duanne Phillips from the famous Shamrock Boxing gym.

Through WBC Sporting Chances twelve young men with histories of serious violence will take part in a programme of sporting activity intended to help them break their violent behaviour and anti-social habits, discover the benefits of engaging in conventional sporting achievement and stop offending.

Over six weeks the twelve young men will take part in 17 sessions mixing gym training, fitness, Boxing techniques, healthy living and nutrition, awareness of substance abuse and bullying, promote citizenship and community responsibility.

A number of other boxing stars will attend the gym sessions to as part of the “Train with a Champion” element and to give the young men an insight into what it takes to become a World Champion as well as presenting them with awards for their achievements. The Champions will also demonstrate how very simply changes in their lifestyle can promote self worth, self control and discipline all transferable life skills which will lead to a better life. Local role models will also be present during the course to talk to the group and participate in training sessions.

Dave Hodgson, the Mayor of Bedford, said: “Sporting Chances offers these young men a positive sporting experience,  giving them the chance to break the cycle of crime by discovering the benefits of sporting achievement. It shows them the positive benefits of organised sport, its positive outcomes and the value it brings to people’s lives by helping to ultimately break free from their offending habits.

“We chose Boxing because it is both a particularly demanding sport and one that will be of interest to them.”

WBC Sporting Chances spokesman, Mervyn Turner said “this program will give these young men the chance to participate in a sporting activity and to meet some very interesting people who have achieved something special in lives. Whether this be a World Championship, or simply making a positive change in there lives.  It is well known that Boxing has been a very useful vehicle for many disadvantaged young people around the world, indeed for some it has been their salvation.  We aim to “turn on the light” so that these young men will want to make a positive change in their own lives. But this is just the beginning, from here it is hoped that they will go on to other courses or work related schemes and be helped further by our partnering organisations such as the Princess Trust, Connexsions and other local groups and employers.

Chief Inspector Rob McCaffray, Bedfordshire Police, said: “This is just one of the many initiatives which Bedfordshire Police is working on to combat serious violent  behaviour. Over the past year there has been a 3% drop in anti-social behaviour and we would like to continue to see it fall.

“Sport is a good way to enable young people to achieve self-esteem and gain new skills. Teaching them boxing also teaches them the need for control when using their skills and the full programme includes learning about respect, drug misuse and community responsibility.”