Boxing to go on school timetable

Lewis School Pengam has opened a new boxing gym to help run the course

Teachers are hoping a qualification at a school's after-hours boxing club is going to be a big hit with pupils.

Year nine and 10 students will be able to sit the equivalent of a GCSE in the sport at Lewis School, Pengam, near Caerphilly, south Wales.

The school plans to run the course from 2009 and says it will be the first in Wales to offer the certificate.

Students will learn all about health and fitness as part of the course, but it will not include any sparring.

The school will initially run the course, which is called an Asdan Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) and is equal to a grade C at GCSE, outside of the normal school timetable.

The school will launch the qualification on Tuesday at the same time as Welsh commonwealth boxing champion Nathan Cleverly opens its boxing gym.

We're keen to get kids off the streets and into our gym and provide them with something healthy to do Mike Oliver, assistant head teacher

The qualification has been approved by the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) in England and the school is talking to the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association about similar backing in Wales.

The school started running an out-of-hours boxing club this year. The classes regularly attract 20 pupils and about 50 pupils are involved in the club.

Assistant head teacher Mike Oliver said it has helped with discipline and learning.

'Hit a pad'

"We started off as part of after-school activities and it has proved very popular - we even have two parents helping with the training, one of whom is an ex boxing professional.

"We're going to be the first to run this award in Wales and hopefully the first of many and we'll definitely start it in 2009.

Mr Oliver said pupils will they just learn to hit a pad in the boxing element of the course but will not spar or fight.

"Instead, we want pupils to learn about health and fitness and discipline and behaviour.

"We're keen to get kids off the streets and into our gym and provide them with something healthy to do."

The qualification is the brainchild of lifelong amateur boxer and full-time ABA advanced level one coach Quinton Shillingford.

The 41-year-old created the course through his Boxing Awards company, which he set up after a career spanning 142 amateur bouts and 31 years in the ring.

'Dedication and respect'

"If it wasn't for boxing my life would have gone all over the place," explained Mr Shillingford.

"I was brought up a mixed-race child by my white single mother and we moved down to the south of England in the 70s and 80s.

"It was tough and we didn't have a lot money and boxing was an easy sport to get into.

"I didn't have a father around when I grew up and and amateur boxing was my father as it taught me discipline, commitment, dedication and respect - all the things which your parents and a father should teach you.

"Boxing gives children a lot of confidence and self-esteem and the Boxing Awards programme delivers this to them in a fun, recreational and educational environment."