BIG HIT PROJECT GOING STRONG
Successful boxing programme marks its second anniversary
TO mark the second anniversary of its Hertfordshire’s Big Hit boxing project, the Herts Sports and Physical Activity Partnership (known as HSP) proudly hosted a celebration event at its University of Hertfordshire base, which was attended by over 300 young boxers, their parents as well as former and current boxing champions, John Conteh MBE, Ted Cheeseman and Sean Murphy. All three delivered motivational speeches.
The Big Lottery funded programme began in summer 2016 after initial pilot sessions delivered by the Box Cleva charity highlighted a need for an intervention to help tackle local anti-social behaviour.
The project funds 11 programmes at boxing clubs across Hertfordshire and often the young people who take part in the weekly ‘Big Hit’ sessions are those at risk of engaging in low level crime. The young participants not only train hard but also benefit from an interwoven educational and awareness programme around resilience, substance misuse, bullying and healthy eating.
Bob Williams, founder of Box Cleva and Boxing Development Officer for the Big Hit project said, “Events like this just don’t happen for many of these youngsters – many of whom come from some of the county’s more disadvantaged communities. Box Cleva and the trainers are proud of how hard these kids work towards their awards. Our celebrity guests have shown them that with dedication comes reward, and that if they set their minds to it, they can achieve anything. I hope that the young boxers from the all of the Box Cleva projects had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves here today. To see them proudly collecting their awards after putting in so much effort over recent weeks brought a tear to my eye.”
John O’callaghan, director of HSP said, “I have seen first-hand how sport can be used as a powerful vehicle to raise the aspirations and improve the life chances of our young people - and this programme is a living example of that.” Big Hit has one more year of funding remaining, during which time Box Cleva will continue to seek further investment to ensure ongoing opportunities for young people.