Youngsters boxing their way to fitness

A GRIMSBY kickboxing club has thrown its weight behind a council-backed boxing fitness scheme to promote the benefits of martial arts.

John Tomlinson's Grimsby Freestyle Kickboxing Club, based in Orwell Street, is backing the non-contact exercise classes designed to get more youngsters moving.

Boxfit, backed by the NHS and supported by North East Lincolnshire Council, aims to tackle obesity and reduce anti-social behaviour among children aged eight-16.

Tomlinson, pictured, approached the scheme's founder, Paul Peacock, to host Boxfit in his Grimsby gym.

The GFKC coach said the sessions – held on Monday nights from 5-6pm – have proved popular, with some going on to bigger things in kickboxing.

Tomlinson, who wrote a new syllabus for the Boxfit students so they could enter grading exams, said the project is a "fantastic introduction towards a healthy lifestyle".

He added: "We decided to set up an academy class at our gym so kids from all the community centres who take part in the project can come and enhance their skills even more with the possibility of achieving belts also.

"Most kids take part just for fun, but there is an increasing group of young people who have come to our gym and opened their eyes to what they can achieve.

"Even the parents tell us how much their kids have improved.

"Four of the kids recently passed their first grade in kickboxing, which is fantastic.

"It shows them that by putting in effort and training, they can achieve something that they at first didn't believe would be possible."

Boxfit promoter Marie Bellamy added: "Boxfit is a non-contact exercise class, based on the principles of martial arts.

"We regularly attend school assemblies and are always blown away by the children's enthusiasm.

"Just a brief introduction to the sport has seen some of the children grow and develop enough motivation and discipline to begin their grading."

For more information on Boxfit visit www.box-fit.org.uk or contact Tomlinson 07961063321.