Tauranga businessman Craig Nees is starting a boxing gym inspired by the academy for at-risk youth in Naenae by legendary boxing trainer Billy Graham.
Henry Fa'afili, Craig Nees and Paora Howe Photo: Supplied
A year ago, Nees got in contact with Billy Graham - who set up boxing academies in Naenae, Lower Hutt, and Canons Creek in Porirua – for advice on setting up the programme.
“I became increasingly aware of the growing gap between children that had no hope of improving their situation - growing up in dysfunctional families and having little help to really get on with their lives.
“Then I looked at my own grandchildren who are growing up in a relatively privileged situation and I thought that’s not right.”
Billy Graham helped put together the Tauranga Boxing Academy programme, Nees says, though it’s financially independent. Graham’s own start in life, hating school and having several brushes with the law, had made him determined to offer at-risk youngsters the same life-changing experiences he was given under his boxing coach's tutelage.
“We just want to replicate what they’re doing ... and have done successfully for nine years," Nees says.
Head boxing coach and ex-Warrior Henry Fa'afili training up some new recruits Photo: Scott McLeod
Nees’ team includes former Warriors winger Henry Fa'afili, who’s the boxing coach, and administrator Paora Howe. The programme is for 9 to 18 year olds.
Boxing is what gets the kids through the door, Nees says. “It gives us the opportunity to develop a relationship with them, where they start to trust us, and through that trust we can teach them about the life skills – honesty, integrity commitment.
“Only 10 percent of these young people will ever competitively box, but the rest of them will be getting fit and learning about a lot of life skills.”
They’re absolutely focused on making a difference to the youngsters, he says, to “create a situation where they can wake up in the morning and dream of a better life for themselves.
“We’ll give them the tools and confidence to be able to do that.
“They’re smart, and also survivors, so if you can turn them around you’ve got people who can make a major contribution to society as they get older.”
They plan to have 100-120 children in the programme, once the full gym is open. In the mean time, while the gym is being renovated, they’ve started with a Tuesday programme for half a dozen youngsters. Already Nees says he’s noticing changes in their behaviour.
Teaching the 'sweet science' of boxing
This week, we're off to Lower Hutt - north of Wellington - where boxing coach Billy Graham has devoted his life to teaching young boxers at his Naenae Boxing Academy. Audio
