A DEDICATED clubman has become the latest qualified coach at the Swan Hill Boxing Club in a bid to give back to the trainers who have supported him for nearly 10 years.
Newly accredited trainer Thomas Mitchell took the step from student to coach to help improve the quality of local boxers correcting form and giving advice to those who ask.
The primary school teacher boxing while in high school, meeting coach Daniel Uebergang who has helped him become a skilled fighter.
With an abundance of soccer coaching experience behind him, Mitchell said he was happy to be coaching in the club that had meant so much to him for nearly a decade.
“It is good to give back to the club after what they have given to me,” he said.
“I want to get that confidence in myself and give other people confidence. When I was young I was coaching soccer and then I thought I could do it here — I love boxing.
“I thought instead of me being the punching bag, I might have a go at coaching myself.”
The rookie boxing coach said one of his favourite parts about coaching was getting to know his students.
“I guess you get to see a different side of someone and that is great,” he said.
“Sometimes you get the footballers in who think they are fit and we put them through boxing and they are weak at the knees.
“It is a sport where those kids who aren’t so coordinated or good at football can come in and get fit, get some discipline and have fun.”
Uebergang said he was proud of how far his star pupil had come.
“It is good to train someone up over [10 years] … and when he coaches there will be no clash with styles as I have trained him up,” he said.
“It will be another set of eyes checking over everyone and he can pick up things if we miss them – we are all human.
“I am stoked. He has a fair way to go but it is really good he wanted to step up and have a go.”
Mitchell has big plans for his boxing coaching career but for now the boxer will focus on trainings at the club.
“We are open to anyone of any shape or size … come and get fit and have fun,” he said.
