The Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre

Young boxers at Oldham Boxing Development Derker

The Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre is a thriving base for positive growth and progress in the community.

The centre, located on Derker Street close to the town centre, has gone from strength to strength in its two year existence. It now boasts a range of courses aimed at personal and social empowerment as well as boxing.

Eric Noi, who operates the centre, is proud of what is continually being achieved and has said: “We are a massive champion of equal opportunities. The centre is much more than a school for boxing. All people of all ages are welcome to use the facilities which enable positive change to the individual and community. Our aim is to produce citizens.”

Working in partnership with a variety of different organisations, Eric has managed to secure a number of initiatives at the centre.

A big success story is in their work with Oldham DAAT (Drugs And Alcohol Team). This co-operation has enabled regular sessions to raise basic substance misuse awareness.

“We use boxing as a medium to engage people in the consequences of substance misuse.”

Eric is also keen to emphasise the importance of the ACCE (Alcohol, Cannabis, Cocaine and Ecstasy) project which operates from the centre.

“ACCE is a brilliant interactive strategy aimed at 18-30 year olds who may have found their lives affected in some way by the use of these recreational drugs. We offer activities that strive to diffuse boredom and so lead to social and lifestyle change, harm reduction and eventual total abstinence from drugs.”

Such is the success of this scheme that the centre is due to be involved as part of the DAAT conference held in York on 13th, 14th October.

“This is a massive accolade of the positive work being done.” said Eric.

Another drive is to open the sport of boxing up to females. The IABA (Irish Amateur Boxing Association) led the way in this field and Eric has pro-actively brought this to Oldham.

“Our Lads, Dads and Lasses group makes this sport accessible to everyone. We currently have about 15 females coming down which is a major achievement. The Northern Thunder Netball Super League Team are also now using our facilities to cross-train.”

Further funding from the Neighbourhood Deprivation and Learning Fund has also taken the centre to the next level. These funders recognise that learning opportunities are needed.

“Our success in securing these large funds is enabling this centre to become a satellite learning centre for Oldham College. It will be recognised in the form of a fully equipped training room where adults in the community can access taster courses from Oldham College lecturers in addition to the various self enhancement courses that we run.”

This is an exciting and productive time for the centre and it is fortunate to be so readily available in Oldham.

For more information about all the services available at the centre you can visit the website at www.oldhamboxing.co.uk.