FOR Ipswich mum Jessica Cashman, the boxing ring is her safe space.
The former Golden Gloves winner told Local Ipswich News that although coaching took up most of her time these days, her fighting career was far from over.
“Not in the near future – but I will say I’m not done yet,” she said on facing another opponent with the gloves on.
“Coaching has taken over a massive part of what I do.
“As a solo mum, running my own gym, state and national coaching duties and I’m a Coaches Course facilitator for Boxing Australia and Boxing Queensland.”
Cashman is modest when discussing her role as one of three facilitators in the state.
She recently returned home as one of the coaches of the Queensland State U19s team campaign at the recent National Championships in Perth, Cashman
The team bagged 28 gold medals and multiple titles across boys and girls.
In the past two weeks, Cashman has been recognised and rewarded as being a mentor for young boxers.
“I was selected as a coach to take a team to the women’s legacy tournament in Singapore last weekend.”
Last week, she announced that she had also been selected as a coach for the Youth World titles in the US later this year, marking her second mentor role there.
Her track record as a mentor for the next generations of boxing speaks for itself, having worked extensively with disengaged and disadvantaged youth throughout training while also having been involved with the Queensland Pathways College at Bundamba and Goodna, to further use the sport as a tool for positve for youth of the region.
“I struggled in school with how it was set, so now with these programs I feel I wish I had this when I was younger as it gives an opportunity to kids who may not learn the same way or have been through hardships that I can relate to,” she said.
As another day comes to an end, Cashman has her stance ready to attack the next goal with great intensity in trademark style.
“It’s amazing as these are things I dreamed about years ago.
“It’s fulfilling to have it all come to life.”
