PULSE


How can you have Boxing in primary schools? Can this really be a beneficial way for children to become healthy in primary schools?


‘Pulse’ were lucky enough to get an invite from Long Mead primary to lace up the gloves one last time and find out first hand (or fist) what primary school Boxing looks like....


What exactly is ‘Non-Contact Boxing’?


Non-contact Boxing is now a part of the school games and there are a


host of Boxing activities (Box Race, Box Ball, Range Finder) which have been specifically designed for primary school aged children. All of these activities have been produced to help improve children’s basic physical literacy, whilst remaining fun and inclusive at a relative small cost.


Trainers can work alongside teachers to help train them in delivering sessions and will also give them the opportunity to gain a Boxing Tutor qualification.


Finger on the PULSE…….


the people’s champion of my era. A tremendous talent that was always exciting to watch. I doubt there will ever be another Englishman to take 30,000 fans across to Las Vegas!


How long have you been involved in Boxing and more specifically, non- contact boxing for children?


Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


My name is Wayne Smith and I am a head coach at Olympia Boxing alongside Lee Owen which is a non profit organisation registered with England Boxing. We deliver non-contact Olympic Style Boxing in schools and community groups and signpost young people to their nearest affiliated clubs. I am also one of the head coaches at my local club Sevenoaks ABC, the current Kent County Coach and also a GB & England Boxing Talent Development Coach.


Who are your Sporting Idols?


My sporting idols have to be Mike Tyson and Ricky Hatton. Mike Tyson for when I was growing up. He was who got me hooked into Boxing not for his character but for his skill-set and he was unbelievably talented! Ricky Hatton for being


I have been in Boxing around 13 years now I only had a short career myself due to an injury to my back (non-boxing related). Once I realised I would not box again I decided to take my coaching qualifications and I have never looked back! I get more rewards from someone I have coached with a smile on their face than I ever did competing myself.


I have been involved and coaching non-contact boxing for three years and full time for two years now. The programmes we deliver are great for young people to try a different Olympic sport in a safe and fun environment.


Why did you choose Boxing and what do you love about the sport?


I have always played contact sport, as well as playing Football and Rugby I competed in Karate when I was a child winning a national title with my team. Boxing for me is the ultimate sport as it teaches you great self discipline and it gets you supremely fit! The difference that boxing brings you, is you get out of it what you put in. When you box it’s not like any other sport (especially


Wayne Smith, Olympia Boxing, 15 Lucknow Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6DL wayne@olympiaboxing.co.uk 07525346159


team sports) as you are on your own, what you achieve is down to you and not the rest of the team.


Why should we try Boxing?


Most of all it is great fun! To try Boxing does not mean you will enter a ring and compete or even spar, the fitness side of Boxing is superb better than any other sport due to you using your whole body and it being both an aerobic and anaerobic activity. There are so many fun drills in boxing without the contact side. If it is the competing side you are looking at then great you have such a well organised safe system in place that very rarely do you ever see any injuries and you will never beat the self reward it brings.


Where can I get equipment from and how much training do we need?


Equipment for Boxing in schools is minimal and you can get from any sport shops or online, the only equipment to get started is pairs of gloves and pairs of focus pads. As in


the rules of amateur boxing no contact boxing can be participated in unless you are in an affiliated club with the right level of coaches supervising. Because Boxing is an art you really need a qualified coach to deliver your sessions, there are numerous courses around to help you with that. If you would like any more information please visit our website www. olympiaboxing.co.uk or please phone me on 07525346159 and I would be happy to help.


How would my school get involved?


Easily! Go onto our website www. olympiaboxing.co.uk or give Lee a call on 07854949370 or myself 07525346159. We deliver an awards scheme called the Olympia Legacy Award which we run in line with the school terms. Each Round is catered for all levels of fitness and abilities. Each participant receives a certificate in their assembly personally handed out by ourselves and also each session there is a medal for the best trainee of the day to keep.


Boxing could be the ideal sport to engage children who currently do not want to take part in school sport and has already proved extremely beneficial within special schools throughout Kent.


What’s happening in Kent?


Olympia Boxing offer coaching sessions across the county, working alongside teachers and TAs to help tackle obesity and improve the general fitness of children. The sessions


have been extremely popular with behavioural special schools and have really helped improve discipline and had a dramatic effect on the pupils. Olympia Boxing also have an ‘Urban Boxing’ arena which can be brought into schools as well as punch bags, skipping ropes etc.


8 The Kent & Medway School Sports Magazine


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