Mamaku youth punch above weight | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Darrin Nicol hopes to keep the youth of Mamaku active as well as give them a passion for the sport he loves.

The Mamaku Boxing Club was opened in March and has already tasted success after two of its fighters won titles at the North Island Novice champs last weekend.

Nicol is confident it was the start of more successes to come.

"A couple of parents from Mamaku asked me if I would start a club up there. At first I said I was too busy because my wife and I had just had a baby. But my wife said I should do it because I love boxing. So I went and saw them and the rest is history."

Nicol believes there is some great talent to be found in the little village of Mamaku.

The club's head coach had four fighters at the North Island Novice Championships held at Westbrook Primary School and two, Anaru Grooby and Hayden Amon, won titles.

Nicol was also impressed with his other two fighters, Waiariki Taia and Terry Amon.

"They both fought well and were unlucky, especially Waiariki, he had to fight against his clubmate Hayden and unfortunately, someone had to lose. But I'm proud of all my fighters."

The club has 15 regular members, five of them with yellow cards which allows them to enter tournaments.

"We have a couple of other members who are just about ready for their yellow cards as well," Nicol said.

Boxing was a great way to keep young people healthy, active and out of trouble, he said.

"Too many kids get into trouble because they don't have anything to do. [Boxing] gives them that something to do."

The club has training sessions every Monday and Thursday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and members regularly train with Rotorua boxing identity Rex Jenkins' club in Fordlands.

"We have a great working relationship with Rex, he used to train me and it's good for our members to have a chance to train with other fighters," Nicol said.

For more information on the club contact Darrin on (07) 348 4529.