Boxing champion delivers knockout for better skills
Professional sportsmen and women know that their career could be cut short due to injury. And boxers are certainly even more exposed to an uncertain future. It’s not therefore surprising that a Yorkshire boxing club has taken the initiative to equip their members with new skills while they are still fit to pursue boxing careers.
Jason Thompson, a 24 year old boxer from Huddersfield is taking advantage of the learning facilities at the club. He recently won the Yorkshire Lightweight Title and is currently training for the National Title whilst studying for a degree in sports studies at Huddersfield University.
“The facilities in the gym have helped me enormously in my studies. I can come to the gym and do a couple of hours training and then get straight onto a computer and do some studying for my degree. A major factor in deciding to do the degree was that I would be able to use the facilities in the gym as and when I wanted, in an environment I feel most comfortable in,” said Jason.
Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club use funding from an initiative developed by Skills Active, the Sector Skills Council for active leisure and learning. Tutors from Huddersfield Technology College are drafted in to help fill the gaps in people’s skills. The gym has also acquired computers and software and provides pathways to employment through IT and internet provision. Advice from trained learning representatives based at the club is also available.
The project, which is led by the GMB Union in partnership with SkillsActive, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the TUC (Trade Union Congress), ensures that skills are developed to improve employability and that there is an investment into transferable skills that will provide individuals with alternative pathways to progress at the end of their sporting careers.
Mark Reynolds, founder of Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club, said: “The environment here inspires young people to learn by providing a one stop shop not only for their boxing and fitness training but also for their educational needs too. A lot of young people are disengaged with the school environment and we provide them with something different which motivates and inspires them.
“We provide free access for all corners of the community from young offenders through to older members of staff. It means that these people are getting fit and healthy whilst also developing their learning and education as well.”
Such is the popularity of the learning centre that it is expanding in size to accommodate bigger classrooms and more state of the art technology.
Rob Williams, SkillsActive’s regional development manager for the Yorkshire and Humber region said: “This partnership is a real opportunity for sport in the region. We are extending the provision of training, information, advice and guidance for sport participants and the sports workforce. It helps address barriers to accessing learning by bringing the opportunities to the clubs at times to suit the members, staff and volunteers. This is a truly innovative and logical approach to building capacity in the sport sector.”
Situated in the heart of the local community, Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club in Huddersfield is making a difference to the lives of over 250 people between the ages of 9-73. It provides learning opportunities in literacy, language and numeracy and supports athletes, volunteers and staff into relevant learning choices through the Conversion to Learning project. The project has been up and running at the club for just over a year and works with grassroot to professional level sports clubs across the Yorkshire region.
Use of the learning centre is free to any member of the local community.
For more information please contact Jessica Benson, SkillsActive PR, 020 7632 2000 or email jessica.benson@skillsactive.com
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