Papuni Boxing a hit with young people and their whānau in Christchurch

The recent Women’s Rugby and Football World Cups shone a bright light on female sport across the globe.

Could boxing be the next sport to capture the imaginations of young wāhine in Aotearoa?

If Addington-based boxing club Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi is anything to go by, the sport's popularity among female participants could be on the rise. The organisation recently introduced a junior wāhine class for term three off the back of increasing interest from members to cater to aspiring young female boxers ages 12 to 18.

“It’s exciting to see participation numbers increasing among wāhine, and that community interest is strong,” says Reece Papuni, former professional boxer, New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative and founder of Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi.

“We wanted to create a space where female participants were empowered, and so far, we’re really happy with the response. Twelve participants were involved in the new wāhine class this term, instructed by one of our junior female students, and we’re expecting to see further growth in term four.

“Across the board, wāhine numbers are up 30 percent and participation has increased 20 percent for tama as well.”

Established in 2021, Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi offers classes for tamariki (ages seven to 10) rangatahi (ages 11-18 years) and an academy for junior boxers, mixed classes and circuit options. However, their kaupapa is about more than just developing kids’ boxing skills.

Led by Reece, the organisation adopts a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, using sport as the vehicle to encourage the development of life skills among Christchurch youth, engage whānau in the journey, and increase participation.

Their programmes are informed by the Te Whare Tapa Whā framework which incorporates the four pillars of health: tinana (physical), hinengaro (mental), wairua (spiritual), and whānau (family).

“We’re a whānau-centric organisation,” says Reece. “We prioritise a sense of belonging and community among not just our young people, but their wider whānau as well.”

The Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi ethos also centres on the traditional Māori values of kotahitanga (unity) manaakitanga (giving) and whanaungatanga (relationships and family), breaking down the barriers to participation that exist for young people – which include misconceptions about what the sport of boxing is, transportation to and from class, and competing commitments that put pressure on whānau time.

“Boxing is a great vehicle for rangatahi as it teaches life skills such as discipline, respect and integrity,” adds Reece.

“It instils all of those values, but to young people, they’re just words until they actually see and understand what that looks like in practice.

“We want all young people to have the opportunity to thrive and encourage them to come in and experience what our kaupapa is all about. A lot of our work is to create a safe space for them to come to and feel a sense of belonging as part of our whānau.”

“The kids are learning so much,” says Anne-Cherie Manawatu-Pearcy, who has three children attending the club. “They learn confidence, they’re learning boxing skills and they absolutely love it.”

She says Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi helps to build fitness and friendship while making participation in sport affordable for any size family.

“That’s what clubs like this are all about – whānau focused and making it affordable,” adds Anne-Cherie.

Rātā Foundation Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the South Island funder is proud to support Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi to deliver their programmes, a “game-changer” for young people.

“We know rangatahi are disengaging from sport and active recreation, and this is particularly apparent among Māori and Pasifika communities and in high-deprivation areas,” Leighton says.

“The work Reece and his team are doing to create a community of support around young people and remove some of the barriers that prevent them from participating in sport is inspiring. They’re a proud kaupapa Māori organisation, and their impact extends well beyond tamariki and rangatahi to empower whānau and wider hapori to thrive.”

Following the successful launch of their junior wāhine class, Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi isn’t stopping there, looking at new ways to encourage participation in boxing. In November, they'll host their first-ever amateur and non-competitive tournament, providing a platform for young people to get involved.

Click here for more information about Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi.