- Boxing coaches and founders of Fight Hub Foundation, former pro-boxer Jami Webb and Leroy Williams, who used to be Webb’s manager, are thinking slightly outside the box, though not completely outside boxing.
- Less than a year ago they started offering free boxing training to youngsters mainly living on farms twice-weekly in a hall on Zevenwacht Wine Estate.
- One of the boxers, Leo Gobile (18), received a silver medal at the Cape Winelands District Championships and will compete provincially soon.
Boxing coaches and founders of Fight Hub Foundation, former pro-boxer Jami Webb and Leroy Williams, who used to be Webb’s manager, are thinking slightly outside the box, though not completely outside boxing.
Less than a year ago they started offering free boxing training to youngsters mainly living on farms twice-weekly in a hall on Zevenwacht Wine Estate.
One of the boxers, Leo Gobile (18), received a silver medal at the Cape Winelands District Championships and will compete provincially soon.
TygerBurger witnessed Williams leading the youngsters through some drills last week.
In a conversation with him afterwards it becomes clear the goal isn’t necessarily to breed boxing champions but champions of life.
He and Webb, both of whom hail from Kuils River, shared a dream, to open a boxing gym. Since opening Fight Hub gym they started thinking about giving back to the community.
”Jami often runs up here to the farm (Zevenwacht). Every time he went past the farm kids they would run after him. So he had an idea: why don’t we approach the farm owner to see if we can do something for the kids here.”
The response was positive. The owner offered them the use of the hall, which had once been a creche, and was only used on Sundays.
”That is how we started,” said Williams. “We brought some stuff from the gym. Slowly but surely, we bought each child a pair of gloves and headgear. The equipment is the bare minimum, but we want to turn it into a fully-fledged gym.”
Discipline
“We use boxing as a tool to help these kids,” Williams continued. “Before, there wasn’t much else the children were doing.”
By keeping the children busy they are kept out of trouble. “We teach them a sport,” Williams said, “the discipline they learn from there, the self-confidence, all that helps.”
He said they don’t expect everyone to be a boxer, but want to help the children develop into better people, equipped to face life’s challenges with courage and resilience.
“We want to create a centre here for the kids to come and be free. We don’t always know about issues going on at home. There are a lot of things they’re exposed to. This gives them something else – a positive environment to come to.”
Williams said while he and Webb can come out only twice a week, the children can access the hall if they want to train by themselves.
“We give them responsibilities. We told them this is your space. Let’s look after what we have here. It is about instilling discipline, to be proud of what one has.”
When they started the outside of the building and surrounding area were dirty, with broken bottles and rubbish everywhere. They got everyone together on a Saturday to clean up. “It was a mess and we had bags and bags of stuff,” said Williams.
“The idea was to teach them to take care of the environment, their surroundings. Even if you don’t have a lot, take care of what you do have, we taught them.”
Vision
Looking ahead, Williams and Webb want the training facility on the farm to become self-sustaining. “It is not a business. We are not making money from this, but the goal is at least to have it up and running on its own steam.”
They would also like to use part of the facility as a computer lab that can be used after school by the farm children to assist with schoolwork or tasks. “The farm kids don’t have easy access to these things,” Williams said. “I also plan to get a tutor to help those needing assistance.”
In the long term there are ideas to create employment opportunities. They are taking it step by step, Williams said.
”The vision is to get this all running sustainably on its own to create a blueprint to a model. Then we want to roll it out to different farms.” Presenting a working model will help give them buy-in.
Sometimes the children get the opportunity to go train at the Fight Hub gym in town. “We take them to tournaments or other gyms. Leo has travelled with us a few times this year.”
Williams noted the exposure and recognition Leo has received from his recent achievements made an impact. “I can see his confidence grew; his personality is coming out.
“From when we started to now, there’s a massive difference in the children. In the beginning, it was a bit unruly. The farm environment is different.”
Williams said when they (trainers) walk in they expect discipline. “We are exposing them to a different side of life; not everyone comes from a healthy home environment.”
From time to time, they have children from surrounding farms who join the training sessions. Leo’s achievements also motivate others to join in, Williams said.
Sponsorships for equipment and clothing for the children would be welcomed. “For the Western Cape Championship in June Leo would need proper boxing boots, tracksuits, these types of things.”
Contact fighthubfoundation@gmail.com or 079 435 6308 if you can assist.
