Boxing helps bring family together

Rewhi Biddle (left) and Rangiteaorere Biddle, 12, working hard to get the youngster ready for when he fights for New Zealand in a tournament in New Caledonia. Photo / Greg Taipari.

While many will see boxing as a violent sport, Kaingaroa's Rewhi Biddle sees it as something which has brought his whanau closer together, thanks to the outstanding skills of his 12-year-old son, Rangiteaorere.

The youngster is a role model at Kaingaroa Forest School were he is a Year 7 pupil - particularly since being selected to represent his country.

He has been part of the Supreme Performance, Boxing at Schools programme for the past three years. Sponsored by First Sovereign Trust, the programme looks to use boxing to help at-risk kids improve their life skills and prospects through sport.

Kaingaroa Forest School was one of the first schools in the country to trial the programme and Rangiteaorere is one of a number of success stories coming out of the small forestry settlement.

The youngster has had five amateur fights, winning all but one against opponents a lot older than him.

His skills have impressed the national selectors so much he has been chosen to represent New Zealand at a tournament in New Caledonia on November 26.

Rangiteaorere's boxing hasn't just had an impact on his life but his family as well. When Rewhi heard about his son going into the programme he was cautious at first but knew it was the best thing for him.

"At first, when I came along and [the school] were putting on a display I could see then he had something. Just the way he boxed. After that, I just totally got behind them and supported him."

So much so the 35-year-old father of four has even started to learn how to coach boxing.

"All the kids that are keen to do it and come along [to the school].

"I work with them and we've just progressed from there."

Studying for his coaching licence, Rewhi said he didn't think he'd end up learning to coach.

"First I was just a driver, so I'd just drive them in and out to the trainings. I just ended up getting more involved. So I took it upon myself to train them out here [Kaingaroa]."

Rewhi said he was proud of his son's achievements and boxing had become a real family affair.

"We take all our [kids] to all the fights too. It's drawn us close, we get behind him and support him ..."

Rangiteaorere said he was nervous about fighting for his country but was determine to make his first overseas trip a memorable experience.

"Because we are taught the three Ds - discipline, dedication and determination - we are told to use them all the time, in class, home and in our community."

It appears to be working, according to Kaingaroa Forest School principal Mike Jones.

"He is a hard working competitive student ... He has a lot of discipline."

Mr Jones said the programme had been in the school for about five years and it was having a positive impact on the Kaingaroa community.

"In terms of the children, it's had a calming effect.

"We don't have school fights, because the kids look out for each other."

The school has 35 pupils in total with the programme targeted at the senior children.

However, Mr Jones said the younger children all aspired to follow in the footsteps of those in the boxing programme.