Zeal’s Boxing Academy aims to develop in young people a sense of achievement through building new skills and challenging them both physically and mentally.

This program is aimed at youth who do not have the financial ability or support to pursue a sport on their own. Often after youth have left school either by choice or by expulsion this becomes the end of their extra curricular activity. The importance of a positive extra curricular activity is so important in the development of a young person.

Matt Grey, who runs this academy, is a registered probationary coach with the ‘New Zealand Boxing Coaches Association INC’ and heading towards his level 1. He is a fully qualified counsellor and social worker and holds a degree in counselling. His working history is as a school guidance counsellor and a drug and alcohol counsellor. Matt says it has taken this time in the social services to see he can be of most use to the young people when he works with them as a mentor and role model in something they show interest in and can be passionate about.

Aaron Warren from the Rotovegas Boxing Gym* states “boxing is a sport that will teach them to channel aggression in a positive way”. The sport of boxing provides a focus for young people to set goals and achieve them. It teaches discipline and self-control. “Boxing is not about violence. It’s about accountability and life skills” (Brock Hauck, coach and club founder of Friday Harbor Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico)*.

The Boxing Academy has limited numbers and is run 3 afternoons a week. For more questions about the Academy please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it