The Box Office Boxing Club is enjoying a new beginning. About six years ago the not-for-profit club started out by holding a fundraising white elephant sale. Now, as the club moves from its Bell Block base, its holding another similar event to raise funds for its new venue in New Plymouth. In December the club will shift from its Mangati Hall premises and open up underneath Supercheap Auto on Leach St. Our classes have been growing and weve now completely outgrown our original premises, said head coach Jacob Rapira. Our decision to bring it into town is just to make it more accessible for everyone, in particular the youths that we work with. Weve had a lot come through our gym but werent able to sustain the travel so theyve dropped out. Over the years the club has helped many troubled youths and gets referrals from the police and Child Youth and Family. Its also supported boxers like Sam Rapira to go professional, Thea Awhitu who is ranked number two in the world and Tania Robbertson who was the New Zealand team captain at the Taipei City Cup. The hunt for a new premises started two years ago. Eventually they hope to hire out the Mangiti hall. The lease on the new base is paid for the next first three years through a grant from the TSB Community Trust. The new premises has had a fresh coat of paint already, and will need appropriate toilets, showers and changing rooms built. Thats about a $50,000 build. We dont have enough gear in our little gym to be able to fill this one. So theres still a lot of work at fundraising and sponsorships. Ultimately Jacob wants two new rings, 17 punching bags, the floor needs to be lined with matting and more training equipment like kettle bells, strength bags and medicine balls. The club is currently open two hours each day. Jacob wants to eventually have the gym open 14 hours a day. It is free to join and members pay a low weekly fee. The club also takes on young members who otherwise may not be able to afford to join. To support this scheme, for about $1000 a year, people can join the gym themselves and support another young person in need. Thats what were trying to push at the moment, he said. Its our belief that when it comes to kids, its not their fault that they cant afford to do stuff. Theres a lot of benefits to it [boxing]. Weve taken some of them around New Zealand. The fundraising white elephant sale runs from 7am to 11am this Saturday at the clubs new premises. Its an opportunity for people to come down and have a look around the place. See where were going to be and get a feel of what its going to be like. So far the sale will contain clothes, tools, desks, toys, TVs and boxing gear. The club needs more donations of goods to sell. To find out more, make a donation towards the white elephant sale or offer sponsorship ring Jacob on 021 801 431.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:47:26 +0000
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