Diversionary project with a difference nominated for major award

The Cowdenbeath Area Partners Boxing Initiative saw ten youngsters introduced to the sport under the watchful eye of Cardenden Amateur Boxing Club members and over a period of eight weeks they trained and learned the skills of the noble art.

Community Sergeant Darren Stewart ( right picture) was behind the venture and working with Bill Burns of Cardenden BC at Bowhill Centre, staff at Lochgelly and Beath High Schools, and members of the the local travelling community, devised a project which caught the imagination of the young people involved.

Now the initiative has been nominated in the Diversionary Category at the Police Awards which will be presented on Tuesday 23rd September at the Police College Tulliallan. Said Darren, “This all came with the view of promoting a more focused and positive engagement approach between Police Scotland and the Travelling Community in the Cowdenbeath area.

“Boxing is a sport which is held in high regard within the travelling community but it was also considered that there were a number of youths at Beath and Lochgelly High Schools who were involved in anti-social behaviour who could benefit from being involved in such an initiative.” The Cowdenbeath Area Youth Strategy Group was also involved and Bill Burns quickly offered his club’s support and identified two members who were accredited coaches who could assist and then Amateur Boxing Scotland got involved and ran a coaching course for Darren and local Community Officers in Cardenden, PCs Gavin Keith and Russell McDonald; plus a member of the Fife Council Learning and Development team, George Murray, and everything was up and running.

Added Darren, “We were fortunate to get funding of £1500 from the Community Safety Partnership which covered equipment, coaching and travel costs and four pupils were nominated by the High Schools along with two young members of the travelling community and they were all soon taking part in the weekly sessions at Bowhill Centre.

“Clearly when we set out we were unsure how the young people would take to the intiative but within a matter of a few weeks they showed a desire to take advice on board and take a more responsible outlook to their lifestyle.

“It definitely provided the young people with a structure to their day and helped instill self confidence and motivation to attend school and promoted a more positive environment for them.

“In addition they all showed a real aptitude for boxing and clearly thoroughly enjoyed the training sessions, although it meant a lot of hard work for them.” Looking at the award nomination it was something Darren did not expect, “When we started out we just did not know how it would go but the results were really so promising and for the project to be nominated for an award is a real bonus.

“We are one of three nominations for the Diversionary Initiatives category in the Police Awards which is a real boost to the young people involved in the project and all the partners who took part.”