The scheme introduces youngsters to the worlds of exercise and non-contact boxing. If a youngster then wants to take the sport further they are pointed in the direction of a recognised ABAE boxing club local to them. Steve Osbaldeston who founded the scheme says that the youth in Chesterfield became so engrossed in the idea that he had to open up his own boxing club, which he and others run 3 nights a week. It is a fact that when the scheme operates in Hot Spot areas the number of calls for service to the police drops significantly, and in some cases no calls for service are made.
Mr Creedon, the Chief Constable of Derbyshire, has declared that he wants the sessions to be introduced into all 92 schools in Derbyshire as part of the forces diversionary tactics, so he has given 4 Vivaro vans to the project, and a mini bus which Steve has purchased equipment for with the help of the local councils and our partners. Steve said the vans are packed with boxing equipment and ready for the roll out across the county.
The ABAE Regional Coach, Alan Keast, travelled from his base in Tamworth to train 40 police officers PCSOs and volunteers at Chesterfield police station, in order that these new trainers can take out the vans and get into every school and area with problems.
The scheme that has been running in Derby City, since the shooting of Kadeem Blackwood last year, is also heavily involved with local gangs in order to point out to the youngsters the error of their ways, and that sport can in fact be a lifeline as opposed to hanging around on street corners,
We started off in Bemrose school, Steve said, but word has spread and we are wanted in many of the city's schools, in fact we have just finished an 8-week course for the youngsters of Sinfin at the request of the primary schools head teachers, because gangs are being glamorised to these youngsters and we work to stop that. We have been very well received at these schools, and the Divisional Commander for Derby, Andy Hough, attended last Friday and closed the sessions for the "time being" as well as judging a poster competition on the kids ideas on gangs and why youngsters should not be joining them.
Young people throughout the city of Derby are now being encouraged to attend and join the new boxing gym on Stockbrook Street, which has been opened by the Ozbox team with the assistance from the city council. This club will be run by the Derbyshire coach, Alex Neave, and will be known as the Derby City Boxing Academy. "The gym is fully-equipped and we have the backing of the ABAE", said Steve, "We intend to break down these post code barriers between the gangs by inviting all to attend."
For the volunteers who pass the 4-day course, concluding on Thursday 9th of April 2009, Chief Superintendent Roger Flint divisional commander for Chesterfield will be congratulating each officer and giving them the ABAE assistant coaching award.
Steve said we have the full backing of the ABAE and the Chief Constable, along with his Divisional Commanders and all the local councils and our partners. The scheme will go from strength to strength, and eventually we would like to see non-contact boxing sessions in the local schools' curriculum.
With this many enthusiastic volunteers ready to be unleashed I am positive that we, as a team, will make a vast difference to the young people of Derbyshire, and in turn the residents of our county.
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