Sporting Champions - boxing clever
Courtney Fry’s experience both in and out of the ring made him the perfect role model as Sporting Champion for a group of gifted and talented young boxers.
Courtney Fry started boxing aged 15 when his dad, concerned that his son was getting into trouble, took him down to the gym in the hope of channelling his excess energy.
The plan exceeded all expectations: Courtney’s focus shifted from the streets to the ring and he went on to win over 30 international medals, including Commonwealth gold and European silver.
Body language
Courtney’s experiences made him the ideal mentor for the boys involved in the Superstars Challenge event, all of whom were gifted and talented boxers from deprived areas of Manchester.
With strength and endurance at the core of the Challenge, the boys competed in squat thrusts, sit-ups, press-ups, bleep tests, an endurance run, chin-ups, dips and leap bar. Courtney happily joined in with activities, shouted encouragement from the sidelines and presented prizes at the end.
The boys were delighted to have their achievements recognised by someone who really understood the strain their bodies were under.
A meeting of minds
At the end of the event Courtney was happy to stay on and chat, relishing the opportunity to mentor a small group of boys. Organiser Cathryn Hamer was fulsome in her praise:‘Courtney’s interaction with the boys was fantastic.
He mixed and related really easily, talking with them at their own level and offering tips and encouragement without applying any pressure.’
In awe of his success as a boxer, the boys took Courtney’s advice to heart and since the event have shown a new commitment and determination in their training.
From the Federation’s point of view, Courtney’s revelation that he used to box in National Association of Clubs for Young People championships (the national body to which the local Manchester Federation belongs) worked wonders for the organisation’s street cred.
The boys quickly realised how much the Federation could do for them and were soon asking about how they could take part in future events.
Further case studies are available on the Sporting Champions website - http://www.sportingchampions.org.uk/sc2/media.php.
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