Anti-social Behaviour: A simple solution to a growing problem

Before Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club came into existence the area had youth problems, anti-social behaviour problems and crime levels were high.
The formation of the club appears to have provided a simple and effective solution to the issue.

NOTHING TO DO

The club came into existence six years ago when Joe Kilshaw asked Larches youths what they wanted in their area. Mr Kilshaw said:

“People moan about kids causing trouble but they don’t do anything about it or
give them anything to do. We wanted to change that.”

After putting together a dream team of coaches, including British Commonwealth boxing champion Paul Burke, the club was born and soon had to turn some youngsters away due to the volume of people wanting to train at the small gym.

The success of the club is due to the dedication of the coaches as well as the continued support of the Larches councillors’ Daniel Gallagher and Mark Jewell.
“This might be naïve to say but I believe people are inherently good and if you keep them occupied and engaged they won’t cause trouble,” said Councillor Jewell.
“There are still problems in Larches but no more so than other urban areas. Boxing helps to give youngsters focus and discipline to achieve what they want to do.”

For 16 year old Scott Fitzgerald, the club has done just that as coaches have earmarked him as a hopeful for the 2012 Olympics. “It would be fantastic if I could get there and that’s definitely what I’m aiming for,” said Scott.






LACYP

The club is also supported by the Lancashire Association of Clubs for Young People, (LACYP), a charitable organisation that assists and supports similar voluntary youth groups throughout Lancashire.

A 13% reduction in crime has been noted by the association in communities where
clubs are present and 71% of the youngsters attending said the club had helped
them with their career development.

Sports and Programme of Events Officer, Andy Gunn, said: “We have been working for a number of years now to inspire and encourage all young people, especially those who could be classed as disadvantaged, to realise their potential as responsible and caring citizens.
The positive impact the Larches club has had on its community is clear and hopefully that will continue in the future with the association’s support.”

Can Larches and Savick ABC go the distance?

Since it’s opening in 2002, Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club has seen the surrounding estate shake off its ‘Muggers’ Alley’ nickname but is boxing a sport that can really help a community?

Often susceptible to bad press, boxing is a sport that some parents oppose being taught in school. “My lad is only two,” said Angela McKeen, Fulwood. “But I wouldn’t want to see him boxing at school. I think it would just encourage him to start fights with other kids.”

However coaches at Larches and Savick ABC are keen to stress that boxing is not about youngsters “battering each other” but instead improves discipline and fitness levels.

Click to hear coach David Fitzgerald on the subject.

FAMILY
Stepping into the gym, the warm, family atmosphere between the coaches and their pupils is clear. The fluorescent yellow signs spelling out the rules of the gym seem to be a bit redundant as it’s hard to imagine any child rebelling against such well-respected coaches.

Former boxer and coach Paul Burke said:

“Discipline is important. We don’t like bullying within or outside the gym and
anyone found doing it gets banned. There’s a lot of camaraderie here. The
squad’s a bit like a family or gang who all look out for each other.”

Coach David Fitzgerald added: “If kids come in and disrupt things then they’ve got to go. Our lads have to be fit when they step in the ring as there’s not going to be anyone in their with them to pass the ball to like you can if you’re playing football. Boxing is a solo sport, so they have to be disciplined. That’s why we don’t tolerate back chat or anyone messing about.”

PROUD DAD
Tim Chune, father of nine year old Charlie, has no doubt about the change in his son since he has started at the club. Click to hear.


This view has been supported by research at Liverpool Hope University as sports psychology student, Laura Watson, explains. “Studies have shown that some adolescent males will come to a point when they have to have a fight. The reasons behind it could be a desire to prove their masculinity or it can have a cathartic effect. Young males who box allow them to release their aggression in a controlled environment and therefore decrease the risk of them starting a fight in the street or in bars or
clubs.
"The skills required to box such as discipline, focus, restraint and control are also transferable to everyday life making boxing a good sport for kids to be involved in.”

The Future of Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club

Plans to expand on the knockout success of the Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club will soon take one step closer to becoming a reality.

Designs to expand on the current gym in Catforth Road have been drawn up by an architect and will be submitted to the council’s planning department within the next month.

If successful, the new gym will be twice as big as the original allowing more people from the community and the surrounding area to feel the benefits. Facilities will include running and rowing machines, two boxing rings, showers and teaching rooms.

Larches councillor Mark Jewell said: “It would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the council’s decision regarding the plans but I’m hopeful they will see how much it will benefit the area.”

BOOST

The plans have already been given a huge boost after a fight night sponsored by Garstang-based building contractors Marcus Worthington & Co raised £10,000. A lottery bid is also being put together by Larches councillors which will be used to cover revenue costs and the sustainability of the club.

Mr Jewell said: “We’re still getting the figures together but that should also be submitted in the next couple of weeks. The lottery board seem enthusiastic. It would be fantastic for the area if we get it.”

DROP IN CRIME

Evidence of the boxing club’s impact on the Larches community is clear as police have noted a 75% drop in crime in the area since the club was opened in June 2002.

One of the coaches from the club, David Fitzgerald, said: “We had a letter from the police informing us of the drop in crime. There used to be a lot of kids who would hang around this estate but they haven’t been doing it since the club opened.”

EXPANSION

The new teaching rooms in the proposed plans would also allow school groups to visit the gym and get even more youngsters involved. Mr Kilshaw added: “Kids who come to box here first learn to respect themselves. They get fitter and then they’re taught to respect others. I think boxing at an early age has a positive impact all round.”

The two images below show the plans for the new gym. The new gym will be much lighter and brighter thanks to the glass panels alongside the roof line. It will also be double the size of the old gym with two rings for the youngsters to spar in.

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Hello, welcome to my blog on Larches! I'm Hannah and I will be blogging on the the Larches ward in Preston.