Respected Nairn boxing club owner says ‘Vandals should be directed to boxing’
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A Nairn gym owner has asked people not to victimise children for vandalism but instead encourage them to get involved in boxing.
While the idea might seem strange, Bobby Russell of Jacobite Boxing Club says he has turned young people’s lives round, offering them the trust and support they deserve through the discipline of the sport.
After an online community debate over what should be done with young people who vandalised cars on the Nairn waterfront, Mr Russell (52) said anyone who wanted to help young people should suggest boxing.
He said: “Young people can be offered help and will stand at a crossroads – in 20 years’ time they can say whether they took that chance or not and what difference that made to their lives.
“They can continue vandalising property or get involved in sport.
“It was about two years ago that I took a call from Nairn Academy to ask me if I could help with 12 kids who were said to be ‘a bit out of control’.
“Three months later, the same teacher came along to the gym and she could not believe the difference in them. Boxing can often be misunderstood, for me it is about respect, discipline and training.
“Those people who say that boxing is not good don’t know anything about it.”
He argued that boxing has been known to save people’s lives by giving them a way to channel their energy.
“Boxing offers focus and can be so important to turn lives around,” Mr Russell added. “That is why it’s hard during the lockdown, and with gyms being closed. The training and discipline to some people may be lost.
“Why on earth they can open up a MacDonald’s in a pandemic and not a gym is completely beyond me.”
Turning to the difficulties locals are raising on social media about young people’s antisocial behaviour in Nairn, Mr Russell said: “Find out who the youngsters are and send them to my boxing club. We will instil discipline, self respect and respect for others in abundance.
“But most of all, these young people will have the guts to work hard to do something with their lives.”
Mr Russell can be contacted via Jacobite Boxing Club on 07598 175077.
