Pilot amateur boxing programme at Uriah Mcphee

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE New Providence Amateur Boxing and the Bahamas Boxing Federation have teamed up, through the support of former boxer Andrew Albury, to begin a pilot amateur boxing programme at Uriah McPhee Primary School.

On Monday, Albury, along with NPBA president Valentino Knowles and BBF president Vincent Strachan, presented a punching bag for the use of the programme.

The programme will be geared to both boys and girls from grades 4-6 between the ages of 8-12 years old, according to Wanda Burrows, the physical education teacher at Uriah McPhee.

“We are very excited at Uriah McPhee Primary because this will bring a new form of discipline. It will teach great values and respect for the sport, not just here, but in our community,” Burrows said.

“We are also excited to know that there will be more men involved in this area and in our school, so we are more than ecstatic about what the programme can bring for our school.” said Albury, a retired Bahamasair pilot who wanted to give back to the sport that helped him as a young boy growing up.

“Through sports, with my experience, we can develop mutual respect and discipline,” Albury said. “Mr Strachan and myself go way back. No matter what status we have in life, we have developed a good relationship.

“So I am happy to be able to give this to the association and hope that it will help with the further development of the sport. I hope to be involved in the programme in whatever way I can. I want to be able to give back because the sport helped me.”

Knowles, a graduate of Uriah, thanked God for giving him the vision for allowing him to bring the programme to his alma mater through the sponsorship of Albury.

“This movement for me is spiritually, physically and emotionally encouraging to be back here where it all started for me at ground zero,” said Knowles, who went on to become one of the country’s most decorated amateur boxers.

“I’m happy to be heading this initiative right now. This programme is going to be well-grounded with four coaches on board, who have been documented and certified by the Bahamas Boxing Federation.”

Knowles said what is so inspiring is that they have been given permission to put on the training programme during the school hours, so it won’t affect the children in the afternoons.

“We will only be able to put on the strength, conditioning and skills level at the school,” Knowles said. “But as the programme goes on we intend to move to the National Boxing Gym at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex where we will be able to do more of the contact work.”

At the end of the 2-3 month programme, Knowles said they will host an event at Uriah where they will allow the students to showcase what they have learned during the sessions, which are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Strachan called it a “red letter day” because it brings back the memories where the late Ray Minus Jr started Champion Amateur Boxing Club, recruiting boxers like Knowles.

“So I’m honoured today to be here to share in the relaunch of the programme in the school,” Strachan said. “This is the brainchild of Valentino Knowless, so we are happy to support him in this venture.

“We are excited about what’s happening in boxing. We’re not just going to stop here. We’re going elsewhere and developing as many schools as we can so that we can rescue the youth of our nation through boxing. If it is God’s will, we will reap the fruits of our labour.”

Knowles thanked Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and the National Sports Authority for affording him the time off from the NBC to be able to conduct the programme at Uriah.

“It takes a village to raise a child and so we want to thank the federation for joining us in this venture,” Knowles asid. “This is a great way of combating all of the crime going on in our society.”

“We want to catch the kids while they are young. The bible says that we should train up a child while they are young when they get older, they will not depart from it.”

The purpose of the programme, according to Knowles, is to introduce the sport of boxing and the goal is to teach boxing skills, technique, self defense and discipline while scouting for potential talent for the future of boxing.

Through the programme, Knowles said the participants will be able to improve their health, combat anti-bullying and improve their overall performances, attendance and academic pursuits.

Once they have their signed consent forms from their parents, Knowles is encouraging the students to come dressed in their athletic gear, bring a water bottle and a towel.

Assisting Knowles in the programme will be Andy Ford, the senior superintendent for facilities at the National Boxing Center and coaches Kieshno Major, Jamaal Nabbie, Godfrey Strachan, Verdant Scott, Tyrone Humes and Johnathan Hernandez.

Interested persons who wish to make a contribution of water or refreshments for the programme can contact Knowles at NPBA242@ gmail.com or 456-4371.

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