Priory Park’s latest initiative proves to be a smash hit

The Dudley fight factory, in partnership with the police’s violence reduction unit, has successfully guided 11 youngsters through a coaching course.

The link up with the police is designed to help tackle behavioural problems and has proved to be a big hit.

The youngsters, aged between 14 and 18, have all passed the GB Boxing tutor course and can now assist the club’s qualified coaches.

“We have been working with some youths and the police from the violence reduction unit, who funded the project,” said Priory head coach Paul Gough.

“We had youngsters that were either referred to us by social workers, or who had been kicked out of school or were playing up at school and on the verge of being expelled.

“We trained them over a period of about a year. They had to come to boxing when they were off school in the holidays and once a week while they were at school.

“We trained them to be coaches and not just as boxers.

“At the end of the sessions we ran, they went on and passed a boxing tutor course.

“That qualifies them to assist qualified coaches in the gym or sports centres, youth clubs and schools.

“They now have the tools to go and deliver what they have been taught and it is working really well in the club.

“They have been giving up their time to come and help coach the beginners at the club.”

And while Priory head coach Paul Gough is delighted to see his latest batch of students pass the tutor course, it’s their progress outside of the ring that gives him most satisfaction.

Boxing is well-known for instilling discipline and helping to keep people on the straight and narrow.

And that’s proving the case again.

“All the youngsters are from the Dudley area,” added Gough. “Some have ADHD, one has autism and the others have behavioural problems.

“But their attitude has totally changed, they are no longer playing up for their parents or misbehaving in school. They are knuckling down to exams and studying, it’s been a real winner overall.

“It gives the youngsters a purpose and a focus, and that’s what boxing clubs have been doing for years. We have just taken it a little bit further.

“Because they are helping others it tends to make their behaviour better. It’s about getting others to look up to them and then that gives them a real buzz.

“They have done so well and totally changed their behaviour and now they can hopefully help others do the same.”

And after the club’s latest tale of success, Gough now has plans to go mobile and promote boxing around the area.

“We are looking to get funding to run a six-week summer camp and pay for a boxing ring we can take round different places in the area,” said Gough.

“What we are looking at doing is buying a framed boxing ring. It’s an 18 foot ring that takes about 20 minutes to build.

“There will be four bags on each corner so that we can use those as well as the middle of the ring.

“And we plan to go out and about. We will advertise on social media that we will be in this area or that area on certain days and weekends in the hope of getting youngsters involved in sport and in boxing.

“The ones that have been on the course will be there helping me and other qualified coaches.

“It keeps the kids active, keeps them from misbehaving and also teaches them a bit of discipline as well.

“The kids that come along will see what these youngsters have achieved and will hopefully want to get involved.”