Fighting chance for young offenders

9:54pm Friday 7th March 2008

Comments (8)   Have your say »

By Peter Magill »

YOUNG offenders from across Burnley and Pendle are set to be given a fighting chance at improving their lives through the world of boxing.

Former Burnley boxing champion Brian Roche will share his years of expertise in and around the ring to help 15 to 21-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The people taking part in the scheme, at Brian's Grapevine Gym at Newtown Mill, Queen's Lancashire Way, have been referred to them by Lancashire Police and the local youth offending team.

Mr Roche, a former Great Britain International amateur champion, has been brought in to provide the inside track on everything from sparring and the role of cornermen to how to become a boxing coach.

Supporters of the Whitefield Youth Association initiative - Get Off The Ropes - hope it will teach young people discipline and self-belief.

Hamid Khan, the association's senior youth facilitator, said: "They will get an insight into training, sparring, boxing techniques, coaching and what the work of the cornermen involves in the sport.

"We will also look at what qualifications you need to become a boxing coach. Brian will also be showing videos of his old fights, as an ex-champion.

"He will show that even if you come from a disadvantaged background then you can go all the way."

The organisation, which has its roots in Whitefield, Nelson, is also working closely in local schools to tackle gang and knives culture.

Funding has been received by the association from the Henry Smith charity for a three-year programme, which it is hoped will reach out to young people in Pendle and Burnley.

If the new boxing initiative takes off then it is hoped that similar classes will take place four or five times a year.

Once the week-long introductory course is over the group will be encouraged to meet weekly so they can take advantage of help with training, job-hunting and employment skills.

Mayor of Pendle Coun Alan Buck has nominated the organisation for a charity of the year ward for the borough.