Active Dorset have joined forces with Dorset Race Equality Council to fund an inspiring non-contact Boxing Satellite Club run by members of the settled traveller community in Poole.
The non-contact Boxing club called ‘Life Changing Choices’ started in 2008 and has been regularly attended by large numbers of the community in Rossmore, including more than 50 attending the opening session. Run by Michael, a member of the settled traveller community in Poole, sessions take place at The Church of the Good Shepherd where Reverend Peter Holden has been a great advocate of the project and assisted the coaches in offering advice about mental health, drug and alcohol issues, crime and anti-social behaviour, and signposting where necessary.
“This is a perfect example of what we want our Satellite Club programme to offer” said Active Dorset’s Operations Manager, Gary Head. “Michael and the other coaches are a truly inspirational group of people who have the interests of their local community at heart. Whilst our Satellite Club programme targets 14-19 year olds, this project has grown and has seen family participation from ages 5-75”.
The club has been visited by Sport England’s Andrew Liney who commented “I was so impressed with the session and it was great to see and hear what a difference these are making to young people who may otherwise face too many barriers to being active”.