Troy Newman and Rhys Verlander

LEARNING the rudiments of “the noble art” can give youngsters both confidence and a lifelong love of keeping fit, two celebrated boxing coaches have told the New Journal.

Troy Newman and Rhys Verlander are running a new coaching programme aimed at children, ranging from five to 12 years old, over the Easter holidays at the Camden Boxing Club – and say the work they do has a huge number of benefits to take outside the gym.

Mr Newman, who took up coaching after he stopped boxing as an amateur, explained how teaching beginner’s boxing skills has long-term benefits.

He said: “We see children come in who feel very shy, who may not enjoy school much or lack confidence. Our job is to build them up, bring them out a bit. It is so enjoyable seeing a child who is timid come out of their shell. They end up having a happy swagger about them.

“It may seem to some contradictory – teaching a child how to throw a punch – but it comes with a very clear message: that it is only for inside the gym, and about how to train safely.”

Mr Verlander, who is one of the team who are coaching youngsters over five-day holiday courses, took up boxing aged six.
He said: “For five to eight-year-olds, we do a range of activities that will teach them boxing basics, which is all about co-ordination.

“You teach it in a fun way and they start putting together what you have shown them through a variety of games.

“It is amazing how much they pick up in a short space of time. For me, boxing changed my life. You have to be on your A-game in the gym – and you take that into your everyday world.”

Visit www.camdenboxingclub.co.uk for more details.