National Development Camp

National Development Camp

Between 27th-30th June, Boxing Australia on behalf of the State Associations hosted its second National Development Camp at the AIS Combat Centre in Canberra. The National Development Program is a State-based initiative, that provides a pathway for talented boxers to progress throughout the Boxing Australia High-Performance Pathway. 24 Elite male athletes and 5 coaches including 1 referee/judge from all around the country came together at the Australian Institute of Sport for 3 days of training, education and development. 

This comprehensive camp aims to identify and develop athletes, providing them with the tools, training, and opportunities to excel both in and out of the ring. The fighters who attended this year’s camp were focused on an elite men’s cohort, who had not been to a National Camp before.  

“I’ve found it really nice so far and it’s just a blessing to be here with all of these facilities and great to have all these coaches and all this training,” said Riek Chuol, a former youth national champion and Victorian boxer. “I’ve loved the work and also the new skills I’m learning from coach Nick, he keeps teaching me a lot of new tricks and how to use them in the ring.”

The camp also provides a highly beneficial experience for the selected coaches who are made to learn and follow a structured development format in which they can instil when working back in their respective states.

Under the guidance of skilled state coaches and work from AIS support services, participants receive an introduction into a high-performance environment from experienced coaches with many years of boxing and fitness knowledge under their belt. From fundamental techniques, appropriate nutrition, recovery and conditioning, the program ensured a holistic approach to provide athletes and coaches with the tools to continually develop their athletic development.

“Just being around the boxers and getting that extra motivation has been really good, seeing how they train, seeing how all the coaches train their athletes,” commented William Mlacic, Adelaide-born boxer on his second visit to a national development camp. “The coaches have been really good, they’ve shown a high ability 100% and brought a really good vibe, teaching me not to overlook my opponents.”

Both Chuol and Mlacic came to Canberra off the back of their recent successes at the Australian Club Championships in Adelaide. Chuol won the tournament’s 57kg event, beating Niklas Geracitano and James Winter on his route to victory. Mlacic made the final of the 71kg bracket, narrowly losing to Kipa Keremete at the Dom Polski Centre.

There was a plethora of talent on display when the group visited the Combat Centre with most athletes holding high future aspirations within the sport of boxing.

“Long term, I want to become world champ, I want to put my name and Australia on the map,” Mlacic added. “I’d also maybe like to get into the Commonwealth Games eventually and obviously the Olympics for sure, but just being in a place like this sort of certifies that the dream’s not that far away.”

There was a higher standard of boxing present at these camps which allowed the athletes to learn and grow whilst testing themselves in a more competitive environment to what they are used to.

“The boxers here have been really good, I’ve learned a lot of new things based off them,” stated Chuol. “A lot of these boys have talent and back at home you don’t really get to experience that as much with others, all the boys here are pretty sharp and good fighters.”

“It is definitely at a much more of an elite standard at this camp, I say this is really high level and much longer as we have a recovery right after every session and I look at the facilities here and everything just inspires me,” expressed Chuol.

The program has familiarised the participants with the required professional preparation needed in order to progress their careers further when they compete in bigger events. Camps such as these also highlight particular strengths and weaknesses of the boxers whilst also revealing where they sit in comparison to other talent present in this country.

“One of the main takeaways from this is probably just comparing my fighting experience with these other lads and just seeing what level I’m at,” Mlacic claimed. “The training has been really good because there’s so many little things that go into these compared to a normal training camp.”

The men not only honed their already impressive in-ring skills but also utilised the experience as an opportunity to create close bonds and friendships whilst networking with fellow members of their sporting community.

“It’s been good to get to know all these boys and it’s good just to be in an environment where everyone shares the same passion” praised Chuol. “I find it’s a blessing just to be here with all the facilities and a great group of boxers and coaches.”

Ultimately, Boxing Australia’s National Development camp offers a vital chance for fighters to thrive socially and physically in a thoroughly coordinated setting for the betterment of their knowledge and skills.