‘Like chess – at 100mph’
A BOXING CLASS IN WEST LONDON IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT
ON the hottest day of the year, 14 children ignored the chance to lounge in the sun and headed to a boxing class in White City.
This boxing class, run by Sweet Science, has achieved extraordinary things in the 14 years it’s been running at Ark Burlington Danes Academy, not least keeping youngsters off the streets.
Leroy Nicholas, who runs the sessions, was a personal trainer but when he had his first daughter he decided to do something to help tackle the knife crime epidemic .
Leroy said: “When Esme was born I started noticing in the newspaper about how savage teenagers are becoming, growing up in this world
“I thought I’ve got to do something, you don’t run when this sort of thing happens, we have got to do something to make it all right.”
Leroy realised the kids who are involved in gangs and violence aren’t bad kids, they just need a new path presented to them. He said: “Frustration and anger is something all humans experience, it’s just what you do with it.
“These kids could have gone into a very different world.
“People who carry knives carry knives because they are scared, but these guys don’t need to be.
“It’s all about not losing self control, they get confronted and they learn to take it, walk away.”
Not only is the class an extracurricular on a Saturday morning but sessions are on the curriculum, incorporated into PE lessons, options as GCSEs, and some special sessions take place during school-time for those who are felt to particularly need it.
A study by the World Health Organisation, which included data from this school, showed students who took part in the boxing programme improved both levels of wellbeing and resilience, and the programme has received many more accolades.
Jaiden Brookman came all the way from Heathrow just to do the class.
He said: “It keeps you off the streets and it’s different. I play football but you can’t play boxing, you have to be dedicated.
“You learn respect. It makes you into a new person.”
The class is open to all, no matter fitness level, age or gender – Leroy particularly encourages parents to come along to build the sense of community.
Two nine-year-old girls came over to talk to me after planking for two minutes, excited to speak about how good the class is.
One of them, Alexandra Kus, has been going for two years while for her friend Alia Smiechowska this is the first session.
Alexandra said: “I like that it teaches everyone self confidence and if they believe, they can do it, and also it improves people’s health and determination.”
Alia told me about how much fun she had had, and how it was a good team environment.
At the end of the class Leroy asks everyone for an inspirational quote for the group – my personal favourite being, “Boxing is like chess but at 100mph”.
Leroy tells us his motto is: “Anger is like fire. You can make it work for you.
“Let it go out of control and it can hurt you, even kill you.”
Three students at the school, Philip Stasielowicz, Jacob Zdebski and Isaiah Wille, have been going to the classes for two years now, and feel it has changed their outlook on life.
Philip said: “For me personally it’s helped with confidence, you know that you can defend yourself and lose that constant fear of being beaten up.”
It’s a sad reality this is how 15-year-olds think today, but the other boys agreed.
“It means when something happens I can just walk away, keep a sense of control and thinking do not to do anything. It helps with stress and exams too,” added Isaiah.
The James family had accidentally stumbled across the class today, while looking for a new gym to join, but loved their first session.
“Our son was a bit reluctant to get into the ring but now has said he’ll definitely come back,” said Mrs James, although her two daughters, 13 and 10, seemed less sure as there were fewer girls taking part in the boxing.
Daishain Moise is one of the scheme’s first success stories, having left school two years ago but still returning to box.
He’s now part of another boxing club, taking parts in fights and looking at going professional – and so far he’s had 11 wins.
He said: “I had a fight on Thursday and I drew but it not all about winning. It’s going to make me a stronger person.
“It’s actually helped me a lot. I’ve been doing boxing for six years, when I was in Year 7 it helped me realise teachers are trying to help me. I was to allowed go to classes and it helps me stay calm.”