23 June 2010
Glenn “Catman” Catley launches Sporting Chance
Former Super Middleweight World Champion and World Boxing Council (WBC) ambassador, Glenn “Catman” Catley backed the launch of a new £18,000 initiative to help young men with a background of violence and crime take up sport as an alternative way to attain self-esteem and achievement. The Sporting Chance initiative is a collaboration by Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service and WBC Sporting Chances.
Twelve young men with histories of serious violence are taking part in a programme of sporting activity intended to help them break their violent behaviour and anti-social habits, discover the benefits of engaging in conventional sporting achievement and stop offending.
Over six weeks they will take part in 17 sessions mixing gym training, fitness, Boxing techniques, healthy living and nutrition, awareness of substance abuse and bullying, promote citizenship and community responsibility.
The initiative is led by Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Development Team and is funded by the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP Phase 2 Funding), Bedford Borough Council Community Safety funding and a private enterprise contribution.
Also in attendance from Bedfordshire will be Olympic Bronze Medalist, former European Champion and World Amateur Finalist, Bobby George plus two local roles models and professional boxers Marco Stephenson and Duane Phillips from the famous Shamrock Boxing gym.
Other boxing stars will attend the gym sessions as part of the “Train with a Champion” element giving the young men an insight into what it takes to become a World Champion as well as presenting awards for their achievements. They will also demonstrate how very simple changes in their lifestyle can promote self-worth, self control and discipline, which help lead to a better life. They will learn transferable life skills which will enable them to make a positive change in their own lives. Local role models will also be present during the course to talk to the group and participate in training sessions.
The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “WBC Sporting Chances offers these young men a positive sporting experience, giving them the chance to break the cycle of crime by discovering the benefits of sporting achievement. Boxing is a particularly demanding sport and requires a high degree of self-discipline. I hope this scheme will be a great success.”
Mervyn Turner, WBC Sporting Chances spokesman, said “This program is part of the work by the WBC who reach out across the world to help young disadvantaged people make positive changes and improvements in their lives. It will give these young men the chance to participate in a sporting activity and to meet some very interesting people who have achieved something special in their lives. Whether this be a World Championship, or simply making a positive change in their lives.
“This is just the beginning, from here it is hoped that they will go on to other courses or work related schemes and be helped further by our partnering organisations such as the Princes’ Trust, Connexions and other local groups and employers.”
Chief Inspector Rob McCaffray, Bedfordshire Police, said: “This is just one of the many initiatives which Bedfordshire Police is working on to combat serious violent behaviour. Over the past year there has been a 3% drop in anti-social behaviour and we would like to continue to see it fall.
“Sport is a good way to enable young people to achieve self-esteem and gain new skills. Teaching them boxing also teaches them the need for control when using their skills and the full programme includes learning about respect, drug misuse and community responsibility.”
Jason Foster, Youth Activities Manager for the Sports Development Unit at Bedford Borough Council added: “We have long recognised the many health and societal benefits of participation in sport and physical activity. This programme represents a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with other agencies within the Community Safety arena and to demonstrate first-hand the value of sport as a tool for making genuine differences to the lives of young people.”
WBC Sporting Chances is a delivery arm of the World Boxing Council in the UK. The WBC uses its global platform to reach out across the world to help the young, disadvantaged and disenfranchised people. Through their sporting programs and with the help of their former world champions and ambassadors providing positive roles models to show young people there are better ways and help them to make a positive change in their lives.
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For further information contact:
Jason Foster, Youth Activities Manager, Sports Development Unit
Bedford Borough Council +441234227413
Or
Mervyn Turner, WBC Sporting Chances +447966591605
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