![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Blue-Light-youth-boxing_JHough01-300x198.jpg\")
\u201cBoxing had such a bad name for so long, people didn\u2019t see the positive sides and the police have been able to gloss it up and show how beneficial boxing is to everybody whether it be fitness, wellbeing, mental health,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever they need to get out of it, boxing can do it.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople when they hear boxing, they think they\u2019ve got to compete and get punched in the head but it\u2019s not always about that. There\u2019s such a strong aspect of fitness, discipline, nutrition and that\u2019s the main focus when you first walk into a boxing gym.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids come into the gym and they\u2019re not very confident in school, what\u2019s going on in the schoolyard, they come in and then boxing teaches confidence and awareness of your surroundings.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids on the opposite end that are hyperactive and not paying much respect to people, boxing teaches them different values.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program has also seen Boon transform part of his gym into a \u201cchill-out space\u201d with a basketball ring, pool table and rock-climbing wall creating a welcoming environment for young people that is \u201calmost like a second home to some people.\u201d<\/p>\n
After coming back from the statewide lockdown, Boon said the hardest thing is rebuilding relationships with the kids in the program that have not had an emotional outlet.<\/p>\n \u201cThe continuing zigzag of opening and closing, it really affects most of these young kids,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gyms are the first to close, last to open and these kids are stuck at home. Whether it\u2019s anger, they\u2019ve got no way of letting it out other than probably on their siblings or whoever is in their house.\u201d<\/p>\n Police officers involved in the program can help by showing young participants the gym is a safe place to be and they can also extend their support financially.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s opportunities to sponsor kids so any of those kids that are out there that may be struggling, or parents are struggling financially, Blue Light Bendigo can offer them membership so they can train for free,\u201d Boon said.<\/p>\n He said it\u2019s \u201csuper important\u201d that young people have a connection to their local police members.<\/p>\n \u201cI was talking to an agency, and they were stressed that the police were going to be there because the person\u2019s had some bad interactions and I said \u2018that\u2019s one copper, that\u2019s not every copper\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThe police we have in the gym, they\u2019re fantastic, you wouldn\u2019t even know they\u2019re police they\u2019re usually in the ring sparring, training most nights beside someone.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just really shows police are human too, they make mistakes sometimes just as much as we do and they\u2019re actually quite good to have around, they\u2019re good people.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ONCE known solely for discos, Bendigo Blue Light is now focusing on building the confidence of children in the boxing ring. Head coach at Hit Factory Boxing Daniel Boon said the partnership between the facility and the Victoria Police has brought more kids into the gym and has benefits for everyone involved. \u201cBoxing had such […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Blue-Light-youth-boxing_JHough06-200x300.jpg\")