A coach at a renowned Bolton gym has spoken out about how “boxing saves lives” at a youth justice meeting.
Elite Boxing in Halliwell has run for 20 years and has helped generations of youngsters as well as other age groups over that time.
A meeting of coaches, Bolton Council and Youth Culture, part of the Bolton Impact Trust, officials heard the example of how a young man named Sam Lane had honed his skills at the gym and transformed his life.
Elite Boxing owner Alex Matvienko said: "Over 20 years we’ve had huge success across all age groups and scenarios.
“But seeing Sam transform from an angry, challenging youth with no direction, to going on to lose 30kg, become part of a community and mentor others as a way to gain employment, is hugely satisfying and shows that boxing saves lives."
Elite Boxing Gym first opened in Halliwell in 2003 and since then has helped to transforms people’s lives, helped people with depression and anxiety and helped teenagers looking for a positive direction.
During that time the gym has won plaudits for the work is does in promoting physical and mental health, with its community hub found on the upper floor on the mill building on Wordsworth Street.
Elite Boxing now also runs the fortnightly Ricky’s Club, which allows men to talk openly about their mental health.
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The Youth Justice meeting last week heard from Elite Community Hub CIC Scott Mitchell and Sam himself, who is now a Youth Challenge student and an apprentice coach about the impact the gym has.
They heard how Sam attended sessions at Elite in Halliwell through classes that were run for his school, Youth Challenge.
He soon progressed onto the gym’s amateur boxing squad, Halliwell ABC, and is now doing his college coaching apprenticeship at the gym as well as competing as an amateur.
Bolton Council assistant director of inclusive education and learning, Geraldine Whitehead, said: "It was great to see Sam and Scott from Elite Boxing and hear about how they support our young people in Bolton via the Youth Justice Service and the positive impact Youth Challenge had on Sam’s journey."
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