“It’s not about the medals and trophies for me, it’s about the journey and meaningful moments in between”
James, 15
Started 2019-2024
How did being part of the gym impact you—mentally, physically, or emotionally?
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Belonging to our boxing gym, gave me the feeling of community. I was physically fitter and happier to be doing something I really enjoyed.
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What did you learn through boxing that helped you in everyday life?
Learned Respect and have better manners now. I learned better communication with others and how to be a part of a team. I feel more confident in myself.
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What do you think was the biggest positive change or benefit you gained from training with your Coach?
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The biggest benefit to my life was learning respect and wanting to do good by others. My Coach showed me by example how to respectfully interact with other clubs, team members and other members of the public. This is something I will carry for life.
Was there a particular Life Value that stuck with you (you can use the current life values from the passport, or one of the new values listed at the bottom of this page)?
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Of the Values taught, the ones that really helped me were Gratitude Kindness Respect and Attitude.
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What was your 2 highest achievements in Boxing or achievement during your time in the Gym/Academy?
My highest achievements in boxing were winning all my Boxing Competitions with no losses. Especially the Golden Gloves!
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Where are you now, and how did boxing, your Coach or your Academy play a role in getting there?
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I am currently a student at Ash College, I have some learning disabilities (ASD ADHD). So School has been difficult for me. Going to boxing helped me greatly with confidence and learning I am good with something outside of school. My Coach Cornelius helped me a lot in learning how to communicate with others and what it means to handle difficult situations. I know that his support and example, mentoring and friendship will stay with me for my life.
What would you say to someone thinking about joining, or to a sponsor considering supporting the gym?
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It will change your life for the better. You will learn values and skills in many areas for life.
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What was your favourite part of training at the gym.
My Favourite part of training at the gym was doing Pad Work with the Coach. I really enjoyed that.
But my Favourite moment at Boxing was when the competitive team went to Nelson to compete at the Golden Gloves. I did throw up 7 times on the way though from motion sickness. I also enjoyed the South African food Cornelius bought us to try. My favourite times there were hanging out with Cornelius and watching our other members do boxing. Thank you for the GREAT times.​
Coach Comments:
When you first meet James, he comes across as quiet, reserved—even a little shy. It’s hard to imagine that behind that soft-spoken nature stands a warrior, an undefeated boxing champion with a quiet fire that sets him apart. But once you’ve spent time with James, it becomes clear: strength isn’t always loud, and champions don’t always announce themselves.
I’ll never forget the day James, at just 13 years old, joined me, my partner, and a group of adult friends for a fun day racing electric go-karts. At the venue, there was a punching machine that measured punching power. After all the men had taken their turns, they encouraged James—“the boxer”—to give it a go. With humility and no fuss, James stepped up and delivered a punch that stunned us all. He outscored every grown man there. They laughed and said it must have been a fluke, so he tried again—and once more, beat every single one of them. James simply smiled and said, “It’s because I learned good technique.”
That moment captured everything about who James is—disciplined, humble, quietly powerful, and grounded in the fundamentals. He’s the kind of young man who leads not by words, but by example. And he’s a living testament to what our Academy aims to build: not just champions in the ring, but character-driven individuals who carry strength with grace.