Local boxing hero links up with the Walsall FC Community Programme...
THE WALSALL FC Community Programme has been given a boost after teaming up with popular local boxing professional and loyal Saddlers’ supporter, Martin Gethin, to deliver Boxercise sessions in local schools.The initial sessions have been extremely well received and more are being arranged as we speak to satisfy the demand.
“It’s fantastic to have Martin on board with the Community Team,” said Walsall FC Community Director, Adam Davy. “It has enabled us to add a new dimension to the activities we can deliver and, with Martin’s profile as a current professional boxer, it has generated a lot of excitement.
“The initial response has exceeded expectation and the number of children interested in the activity pleasantly surprised us all. We’ve been delivering some taster sessions at County Bridge School in Willenhall and they have already signed up for the new school year in the autumn.
“The plan now is to keep Martin busy and get Boxercise out across the Borough as much as possible. I know from speaking to him that he is enjoying the sessions and we are all excited to see Boxercise really take off.
“It is great for fitness, confidence and discipline and running the sessions can only add even more positives to our reputation as a community club that reaches out to all members of the local community.
“It goes without saying that we will all be supporting Martin in return as he continues his boxing career and this is a partnership that can only get better as time goes on."
Gethin, who is a regular at home games with his family, added: “As a lifelong Walsall FC supporter, to be able to do this kind of thing on behalf of the club is fantastic.
“I am really enjoying it and the kids are certainly responding to the work that we have been doing with them.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from teachers and parents; it’s so important that youngsters learn about nutrition and the need for exercise and by doing it in this kind of environment, with boxing and football as the hook, is all good.
“Hopefully we can get into more schools and meet more local youngsters who can benefit from this.
“Kids enjoy this kind of thing and for me to be able to deliver it to them through the Walsall FC Community Programme is perfect.”
“Obviously the Community Programme specialises in delivering football, but we were keen to branch out into other areas,” added Daniel Mole, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Community Programme. “Having access to someone like Martin meant it was an obvious choice for us to go down the boxing route.
“Martin is a local role-model and a massive supporter of the club, so it made perfect sense to get him involved.
“For him to be able to combine his knowledge of health and nutrition with the dedication and commitment required to be a professional sportsman means that we can deliver top-quality sessions to the children.
“This is certainly another string to the bow of the Walsall FC Community Programme.”
For further information on our Boxercise sessions, please call 01922-644 742 or email community@walsallfc.co.uk.