Boxing club packs punch with housing provider’s help

A boxing club is punching above its weight with help from Sanctuary Scotland.
Youngsters Tapi Emmanuel, Hannah Maguire and Kamil Gomo with Kat Paton.Youngsters Tapi Emmanuel, Hannah Maguire and Kamil Gomo with Kat Paton.
Youngsters Tapi Emmanuel, Hannah Maguire and Kamil Gomo with Kat Paton.

Kris McAdam founded Nitshill’s Noble Art gym to give Glasgow fighters a place to train.

The gym has grown into a community hub for hundreds of local families. A lunch club funded by Glasgow City Council fed 68 children throughout the school summer holiday.

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Kat Paton, the club’s youth co-ordinator, said: “Parents and guardians didn’t need to find the money to keep their children entertained or money for childcare if they had to go to work.

“They came up to the club, saw their children having fun and integrating with people they normally wouldn’t meet. The group talked about the food they ate at home, the things they did in their culture, what makes us the same but also what makes us unique.

“The children have formed a strong friendship group and don’t feel anxious if they bump into somebody on the street.”

Since 2012 Sanctuary Scotland has helped Kris McAdam secure a lease, replaced his club’s windows and paid for two spin bikes. The Association’s Anthony Morrow and Kieran Renshaw also led on applications to the National Lottery Community Fund and other income sources that pay for Noble Art’s homework club and staff posts.

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Kat added: “Kieran and Anthony have played a massive role, telling people about the club. It’s not just Sanctuary tenants they want to help, they help everyone in the area. We would never have been able to reach these young people if it wasn’t for Sanctuary.”

A short film on the project can be viewed at Youtube