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PCYC Adds to Early Intervention Success

It takes guts to get into a boxing ring with boxing clubs traditionally being made up of some of society’s more rugged individuals.

Many will have at some time lived on the wrong side of the law and for some, joining a boxing club provides a catalyst for change.

So it is no surprise that up to eighty percent of the Hobart PCYC’s boxing club attendees could be considered ‘at risk’.

“Every new kid that comes in here just wants to get in the ring and have a go,” said Head coach Mercedas Taaffe.

“They soon learn that at this club we have a carefully monitored training regime that they must follow before they can be paired-up for a tournament bout.”

In most cases it takes many weeks of training before a member can safely spar. Each individual must first show the coaches they have not only the ability to take on an opponent in front of their peers but also the commitment and self discipline to do the hard yards first.

Initial training sessions are designed to focus on the mental, as well as physical fitness of members. Every session reinforces clearly defined boundaries for behaviour both in and outside of the club with lengthy suspensions for errant behaviour.

“It’s all about providing them with good role models,” Assistant coach to the group, Tom Tilsley explains.

“For many of the kids the club is their family and they thrive on being given some responsibility within the group. So when they see us [the coaches] giving one hundred percent, they generally respond by giving us a fair go too.”

Both coaches have 35 years of boxing and kick boxing experience between them. Taaffe has twice been European Mugendo (kickboxing) champion and four times World Mugendo champion. Both work tirelessly at getting individuals properly prepared for an upcoming tournament and command great loyalty from the group as a whole.

Two full time officers are seconded to the Hobart PCYC which has two fully equipped weight gyms, gymnastics hall, martial arts Dojo and a three quarter size basketball court.