Fremantle PCYC All Stars Boxing and Fitness coach Marc Wohling, former World Champion Kickboxer Chris Collard and Youth Crime Intervention Officers, Derrick Herbert and Rob Huntington with program participants.
Camera IconFremantle PCYC All Stars Boxing and Fitness coach Marc Wohling, former World Champion Kickboxer Chris Collard and Youth Crime Intervention Officers, Derrick Herbert and Rob Huntington with program participants. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Fremantle PCYC program more than just boxing

Leah RobertsFremantle Gazette

IT IS more than just a sport for youth participating in Fremantle PCYC’s All Stars Boxing and Fitness program.

World kickboxer Chris Collard who is coaching some of the children, said his boxing career had started at PCYC.

“I came from humble beginnings, I got into a lot of fights and got beaten up a lot when I was younger I got sick of not being able to defend myself,” he said.

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“Boxing steered me in the right direction in life, it gave me so many positive outlooks.”

Mr Collard said boxing taught children respect, self discipline and how to interact with other people.

“It gives them a feel about the commitment and the dedication you have to put in to do whatever you want to do in life to reap the benefits,” he said.

“The PCYC helps you and nurtures you in the direction to which you want to go in, lots of police officers come down here with their time, it’s a great community.”

The program was introduced by youth crime intervention police officer Derrick Herbert, who said the program was initially a diversion program.

“We noticed a lot of youth and youth at risk in the area, this program is designed as an alternative for them committing offences and anti social behaviour, giving them something more than just staying at home,” he said.

“We started with four youth four weeks ago and now we have 20 attending, it looks like we are going to have boxing on Wednesday for the younger girls.

“It not only about the boxing, but its the training, the fitness and discipline, its also the bond we get with the children as well.”

He said they had already seen a reduction in some offences.

“We take part in some of the boxing which the kids love, it builds the relationship between police and youth at risk,” he said.

“They feel empowered about being in the ring, we want to feel like they come to PCYC at anytime.”