Boxing organisation bringing positivity to young people wins award

A self-funded boxing orgnisation which promotes the sport as a means for kids to maintain both physical and mental well-being has won a society excellence award.

Champs Within received the Highly Commended award in the Community Category at the Herne Hill Society excellence awards last Thursday.

Sammy McKay, 29, founder and head coach of Champs Within, started community boxing sessions twice a week in 2021 at Miguel’s Boxing Gym in Hardess Street, Brixton.

For the past year Mr McKay has also been running projects for schools. These 10-week programmes are aimed at young people who may be at risk of exclusion or are disengaged from curriculum activities.

Mr Mckay said: “There are kids who are at risk of being led astray or distracted. I go into schools and I keep them boxing.

“It’s non-contact boxing, which teaches the kids respect and an understanding of how to control themselves and work together.”

At the end of each school project Mr McKay organises reports for the children involved, to track their progress.

He said: “A lot of the time we are seeing these pupils improve their attendance, school work, get in less trouble and have fewer detentions.”

The team at Champs Within, other than Mr McKay, is made up of Keano Daley, assistant coach, Ibrahim Armstrong, coach and mentor and Rackeime chambers, marketer and researcher.

Their ventures also include food drives where they partner up with Brixton soup kitchen to help struggling families, as well as delivering talks to young people about their rights and knowledge of the law through their partnership with Tucker’s Law Firm.

Mr Mckay said: “This award recognises that we are giving back and trying to change our community.”

Pictured top: Champs Within kids support Sammy McKay before his boxing match (Picture: Champs Within and Miguel’s boxing gym)