Junior boxing involves no blows to the head

I'd like to respond to a letter in your Forum section (October 4) written by Bruce Hyland about boxing being "dangerous" and having "no place in civilised society".

The letter is short on facts about Umina PCYC's Junior Boxing Program.

Two of my children have undertaken boxing training at the club.

The junior boxing program involves no contact drills to the head (no blows to the head at all).

Training consists of a series of fitness and co-ordination drills that improve the cardio-vascular fitness and co-ordination of the students who take part in this activity.

Students gain confidence and self-defence skills, and have fun in a safe environment.

All boxing training at the club is supervised by trained and experienced instructors.

Parents are encouraged and welcome to stay and watch the training taking place.

One of the instructors in the program is a male who is a multiple Australian and Junior World Champion (and a product of the long running junior boxing program at the club) and another is a female Australian and World Ringside Champion.

Both have a strong desire to mentor young people and help them get fitter, more confident and become productive members of the community.

The vast majority of students in the junior boxing program don't actually go on and compete as amateur boxers; but they all learn skills and gain health benefits which will assist them as they transition to adulthood.

I'd encourage parents of children who are considering boxing training for their children to visit the club and view the activity to decide if it's something they would like their children to participate in.

The growing number of both parents and children who are becoming part of the program indicates that many people see the value and benefits of such an activity for Central Coast children.

Email, 26 Oct 2016

Paul Covi, Wamberal