Introduction

Boxing is the perfect sport to teach resilience & discipline in a supportive team environment. While each of our rangatahi have had different experiences in life we come together with shared values and these help us grow in our understanding and respect of each other. These values support our vision to "develop connected, confident rangatahi who are empowered to positively impact those around them".

Chris Graham (Head Coach)
Chris has spent the majority of the last 40 years of his life dedicated to working with youth around New Zealand both as a teacher and a youth worker. He is extremely passionate about youth developing into proactive role models and he sees boxing as a fantastic vehicle for achieving this. With the Te Awamutu Boxing Academy, Chris is returning to his roots where boxing helped to transform the direction of his own family, starting with his older brother Billy (founder of Billy Graham Youth Foundation).

Quentin Wallace (Coach)
Quentin’s background is with tennis coaching. With two decades of coaching and development and as owner and director of Waipa Tennis Academy, he is passionate about further contributing to our rangatahi through an holistic approach. Focusing on positive and core life values, he fully believes in the kaupapa of the Te Awamutu Boxing Academy where the discipline and skills of boxing are exercised. To be community-focused and to have whānau actively involved inspires him to help youth realise their potential.

Steph Dykstra (Coach)
Steph has spent the last 14 years raising her own children as well as working with young people in varying ways, within Schools, Rally’s and Churches. Her heart is for children to know and feel they are valued, encouraged and much more. To see and help them walk forward into life as an asset to those around them, resilient, considerate, compassionate and capable. She values the wider vision of the Academy, in that it goes beyond being focused on one dimension to the many dimensions needed to grow and support each young person, wanting to help youth in real, practical and holistic ways. She enjoys that the youth have the challenge and enjoyment of being able to learn or develop skills and capabilities within a physical arena, becoming fitter and more capable.
”Having young people come into our academy and leave smiling, is the beginning of something good.”

Phone
+64 7-870-2028

Location
20 Rickit Road
Te Awamutu 3800

Email
admin@tayouthdevelopment.org.nz