Star Metro - Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme

An alternative education provider is helping young individuals to “belong, believe and achieve” with the launch of its new facilities. Earlier this year, Suggy’s Gym in Newark launched the Suggy’s Champions Academy by opening its first classroom catering to children who are unable to attend mainstream school for various reasons.

The goal was to provide a tailored education to meet a child’s individual needs, often to address behavioural and focus issues, and eventually re-intergrate them back into a conventional school setting. Building on decades of experience supporting young individuals through Newark Amateur Boxing Club, the academy combines education, physical activity, mentoring and personal development in a supportive and engaging environment.

Now, thanks to a £48,000 grant awarded through Newark Town Board’s community grant scheme - funded by the Government’s Pride in Place programme - it has remained able to open new facilities to support even more children. This includes the creation of an additional classroom, expanding the capacity at Suggy’s to deliver structured alternative education alongside its established boxing, mentoring and personal development programmes.

Founder Dean Sugden stated: “For over 35 years, we’ve seen first-hand how the right environment, positive relationships and someone believing in a young person can change the direction of their life. “Our vision for Suggy’s Champions Academy is to build on that experience and create something Newark can be genuinely proud of.

“These new facilities allow us to bring education, mentoring and physical development together in an environment where young individuals feel they belong, begin to believe in themselves and are supported to achieve. “This is an important milestone for us, but it’s only the beginning of what we want to achieve.”

Dean thanked the Newark Town Board for the funding, but as well businesses which have donated resources to support the project. These include Currys, which donated ten refurbished laptops through its digital poverty programme; Howdens, which provided substantial discounts on materials and supplied an additional worktop free of charge; Nottingham Ground Works, which sponsored an air-conditioning unit; and GSC Couriers, which is providing an ongoing sponsorship of Suggy’s Champions Academy.

“Their contributions demonstrate what can be achieved when businesses and the community come together to invest in young individuals,” Dean added. The Academy’s main philosophy is summed up in its three word motto - ‘belong, believe, achieve’.

During an open evening, guests including the mayor of Newark toured the new facilities, met with the team and learned more about the approach to alternative education and community outreach. Visitors as well heard stories demonstrating the long-term impact that boxing, mentoring and positive relationships can have on young individuals’s lives.

Suggy’s Champions Academy works with schools, local authorities, families and community partners to identify young individuals who would most benefit for the alternative provision they offer. By providing the resource in Newark, it as well ensures that young individuals do not need to travel far to access support.

S.Cloutier--SMC