Senior Constable Damian Parker and New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker share boxing and their surnames - but our Damian is a heavyweight in the volunteer community.
Damian, from the Cannons Creek Neighbourhood Policing Team, has been awarded a Porirua City Council sports award won for his involvement with the Cannons Creek Boxing Academy.
Damian is one of several assistant boxing coaches and has volunteered his time since the first training session held on 22 July 2014 at the academy, which is run by the Cannons Creek Youth Charitable Trust.
The academy aims to teach young people life skills through participation in and the discipline of boxing, physical fitness and adhering to the values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Consideration, Kindness, Duty, Obedience, Honesty and Truthfulness. This is known as the ‘Passport to Success’.
“I feel privileged to receive this award and really enjoy giving back to my community,” says Damian.
“The Academy offers our young people - both boys and girls - opportunities that they might not ordinarily get.
“It builds resilience in our youth and gives them the skill set to be confident in their decision-making.
“Over the past five years I have been fortunate enough to see young boys and girls grow into champion young people.”
The methods used by the Academy’s programmes are general fitness training, boxing, and team building exercises.
The academy networks with Police, The Royal New Zealand Police College, Outward Bound, Rotary, local schools, Porirua City Council, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation, Tindall Foundation and other youth providers.
During the time the Trust has been operating there has been a steady number of referrals for youth from schools, Police, Youth Justice and Oranga Tamariki.
The Academy has set high standards and aims to be a world-class youth facility, coaching life standards. It is the brainchild of Billy Graham who founded the Academy in 2016, following the success of his Naenae Boxing Academy which opened in 2006.