Dean Wilson-Karu (right) and some of the novice kickboxers he's been training at Unity Fitness Gym
After a punishing 8-week, 6-days-a-week training schedule at Te Pae Urungi / Unity Fitness Gym, based at our Eastern suburbs venue, a group of six young tane and kickboxing novices are about to see if they have what it takes to succeed in the ring.
The first fight will take place at the Ronin Gym in Taita on Saturday May 3 (doors open 12pm) followed by more fights at Capital Punishment being held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on May 17 (starting at 6pm).
Dean Wilson-Karu, a community development kaimahi and personal trainer with our Te Pae Urungi team, has been working with the young tane since last year, helping them develop the skills and discipline needed to succeed in kickboxing.
Kickboxing is a chance to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing and Dean says it’s an opportunity and pathway to other things they might not have otherwise had.
“It’s a positive outlet for them in a physical sense,” says Dean, himself a one-time champion kickboxer. “It also teaches discipline, time management and mental resilience.”
Working so closely with the tane, who are in their late teens and early 20s, means he can support them in other areas such as advocacy with housing and employment, and developing employment skills such as driver licenses.
“Those are just little things I can do on the side,” he says.
Dean says he is very proud of the commitment and effort of the tane and he’s excited to see them showcase their talent under the bright lights.
“Most importantly, they’ll be representing themselves and their whānau in a positive manner.”