In a western NSW sports hall, dozens of young people gather each week to hone their hooks, jabs and upper cuts.
While it might sound serious, the afternoon sessions at Bourke PCYC are also full of laughter and conversation.
“[They are] coming into a safe place, having a laugh, having some positive interactions with police and learning some new skills,” community engagement officer Constable Vana Jurotte said.
The boxing classes are part of the PCYC’s Fight for Success program, launched in Walgett, Bourke, Brewarrina and Kempsey with the help of NRL stars Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell.
Bourke has recorded a 38 per cent increase in break and enters in the past 24 months, with rising crime rates in some communities one of the factors driving police to be more creative in how they engage youth.
Constable Jurotte said the program gave young people something to do, a place to be active, and somewhere to connect and learn from each other.
“It has also given the older kids in our community an opportunity to mentor the younger ones, which has been awesome,” she said.
Over in Walgett, the program has partnered with schools to include the sessions as weekly sport.
Kobie Hill, 11, has been awarded “most improved”.
He said he looked forward to attending every week.
“[It’s] really fun and I’m enjoying it so far,” he said.
“I really want to keep doing it.”
Growing demand
Walgett community engagement officer Constable Martin McFarlane said there was strong demand to grow the program.
“We’re looking to expand into an afternoon session, so hopefully we can bring a bit more people in,” Constable McFarlane said.
Interest is also growing in Bourke, as is participation from staff at schools and community groups.
“Staff from the local schools attend our sessions, and they all jump in and help, which is awesome, they really engaged the youth here,” Constable Jurotte said.
“I believe that the program has helped strengthen some of the relationships that I have with the young people in Bourke.
“I found myself engaging with kids outside of the program, kids would not usually say hello, or come to PCYC and hang out.”
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she hoped the program, and others like it, would help reverse the trend of increasing youth crime rates.
“Ultimately that’s what we want; we want to try to keep young people out of the justice system with programs just like Fight for Success, and making sure that we’re engaging with them to keep the community safe,” she said.
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