Mid Canterbury Boxing Academy

The Mid Canterbury Boxing Academy is a vibrant youth-focused facility dedicated to empowering young people through boxing. Established in 2011 by David Taylor, the Academy transformed a once-neglected building on Melcombe Street into a hub of growth and opportunity. Since 2013, the Academy has been supported by the Billy Graham Youth Foundation, following the proven principles of the Naenae and Cannons Creek Boxing Academies. These programs have demonstrated life-changing outcomes for at-risk youth, using boxing as a tool to build discipline, confidence, and resilience. The Academy provides structured programs that go beyond physical training, instilling essential life skills and fostering a strong sense of community. By joining the Mid Canterbury Boxing Academy, young people gain a safe and supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive—both in and out of the ring.
Meet the team
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Eion Johnson

Lucan Taylor-Culshaw

Don Sauer

Lance Taylor

Hall Kara
Our Gold Supporters
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Supporting us
Our Supporters
Huge thank you to all of your supporters. Big or small, we need your help to make a difference!
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Volunteer roles vary from partner to partner. All volunteers must adhere to our policies and undergo a process.
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Lucan
The Academy has had a pretty massive impact on me, it makes me think of the consequences of my actions before I act. It’s made me like myself, who I am and are becoming as a person, and how I carry myself and act towards other people.
Learn more about what you’re supporting
Your support gives more kiwi youth access to life-skills through participation in and the discipline of boxing and physical fitness as well as to give them a place of refuge.
Here are common questions we come across when it comes to Champions Boxing Academies:
Amateur boxing, with its emphasis on safety and sportsmanship, offers a constructive way for young people to build character, maintain fitness, and learn valuable life skills. The sport instils important life values such as sportsmanship, humility, and perseverance, while developing focus, confidence, and the ability to deal with adversity and stress. It is also a very attractive activity to many young people, it is something they want to try rather feel forced to and they stay engaged for a longer period of time.
Amateur boxing, as a sport, has very stringent medical controls. Registration requires an annual medical, with another medical prior to every bout. Boxers are evenly matched according to age, weight, experience, and gender. Coaches at all Champions Initiative Academies are trained to deliver sound boxing techniques, while holding the appropriate licensing, along with first-aid, and child protection certification. Our programmes revolve around skill and fitness development, with contact during practice ranging from zero to mild for those who just want to train and compete.
Both youth and sports development research indicates that the greatest impact is made when as many individuals as possible are engaged, for as long as possible, and in the best environment. Our academies not only provide extended pathways for skill development and competition (for those that want it), but also provide the best environments possible.
Mid Canterbury Boxing Academy
