WHEN your old clubhouse gets demolished you should take the time to find an even better location.
THE Zion Boxing Club which has been working with disadvantaged kids for many years has done just that and their boxers are now training at a gym next to CrossFit opposite Riverlink.
Head coach Leu Vaotu’ua said they had no choice but to move after their former home, the old Swifts’ gym at Purga, was demolished.
“We turned a negative into a positive and it’s great now being in Ipswich and the advantage is it’s closer for everyone being in the centre of town,” he said.
“The fighters even enjoy having a warm up jog through the city.”
Coinciding with the recent move for the not-for-profit club is the appointment of a talented new head coach in Jess Cashman.
“Jess is an accomplished boxer herself as well as a Queensland and Australian under 19 Coach,” Leu said.
“We both have different coaching styles but I think we complement each other.
“Jess is running the kid’s classes and trains up to U19, while I focus on the rest.”
Jess said she really enjoys the family atmosphere at the club as it’s open to everyone from those who have never boxed before right through to experienced fighters.
“We also run non-contact kid’s classes in the afternoon, there is something for everyone,” she said.
“A lot of our members use boxing training as a great way to get fit, build confidence while some go on to compete in boxing tournaments,” Leu said.
“We currently have 14 male and female fighters from 15 years of age.
“Four of them are professional boxers and the rest are amateur or train for what is commonly called Olympic Boxing, and we have a lot more in the gym who just come for fitness.
“It’s a real team environment, many of the non-combatants train with the fighters, and go to tournaments to support them when they compete, just like a family I guess.
“I’m expecting a big year with some exciting young fighters coming through and we are expected to field possible five fighters in the major Qld Novice Titles in March.
“Then we have a number of tournaments all over South East Qld including the State Titles in May and National Golden Gloves in August.”
