Celtic FC Foundation has teamed up with West of Scotland Housing Association to launch a pilot boxing programme in Fernhill Community Centre in Auchenlarie Drive, Fernhill, South Lanarkshire.

This is a free programme for selected local boys and girls aged 14 to 17 and will be conducted by former professional boxer, Gary Porter. All the equipment – punch bags, gloves, pads, wraps, skipping ropes, medicine balls etc – are provided for the youngsters free of charge. Gary is an extremely popular and effective instructor at the current Urban Stars boxing programme in the east end of Glasgow.

The syllabus has been carefully designed and tailored to appeal to local teenagers who may be at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour. It is hoped that attending the weekly classes will allow the participants to channel their energies into something productive and become fitter, thus being better citizens in the community.

It has been repeatedly shown that engaging young people in sporting projects such as this has the effect of developing their self-confidence and self-respect. Being fitter also means being healthier and the latter will be aided by some advice on diet and nutrition. It has equally been accepted that regular sporting activity promotes life-skills such as self-control, teamwork, acceptance of rules and tolerance of others.

The weekly two-hour sessions will include boxing circuits, technique and skills, pad work, skipping, shadow boxing and general fitness exercises.

Part of any boxer’s training schedule is road-running, and prior to the start of each session there will be a twenty-minute run at a pace suited to the participants. Coaches from Celtic FC Foundation will take part in and supervise these runs. �hese ‘warm-up’ sessions have been supported by the Police Service of Scotland.

Celtic FC Foundation wishes to thank the Regen:fx Youth Trust of Lanarkshire which has identified suitable youngsters and recruited sixteen to this pilot programme. Regen:fx is a charity organisation set up to help, identify and produce innovative solutions to ease youth disorder, antisocial behaviour and provide activities for youths within the regeneration areas of South Lanarkshire.

Donna-Marie Henry, Celtic FC Foundation’s Head of Business Development and Projects, is very much looking forward to this pilot being a resounding success.

She said: “Celtic FC Foundation is delighted to develop its existing and successful relationship with West of Scotland Housing Association by piloting this new and exciting boxing project in Fernhill. We hope that the young people taking part in the pilot benefit not only from the physical boxing element of the sessions but also from the positive lifestyle choices which our coaching staff will promote.”

Our picture shows former middleweight boxer Gary Porter working with the younger age group in the ongoing Urban Stars boxing programme in Glasgow.

For further information on this project, please contact +44 141 551 4321 or email [email protected]