The Newville Ring Contact Fighting Arts Club has been based at the Danie van Zyl Recreational Centre for 27 years. Shaun Moorcroft started with ring contact fighting arts, assisted by style head Master Joe Viljoen.
Shaun also opened the Newville Amateur Boxing Club eight years ago, named after the old boxing club where he has his boxing roots and learned his craft. The two clubs are part of the non-profit organisation (NPO) known as Newville Sports Academy.
The clubs have the assistance of kickboxing instructor Cleve Crossling and boxing instructor Sanet Botha, one of the few female boxing coaches in the district.
Being an NPO, the club does not charge membership fees but this makes maintaining equipment difficult.
“We are trying our hardest for our students to get to tournaments and competitions but it is still difficult. From my side I try to help with funding but there is only so much I can do.
Nevertheless, we do not turn anyone away,” said Shaun.
Despite struggling financially at times, Shaun added that seeing his athletes excel despite the difficulties is what brings him pleasure. Shaun believes that to be a good trainer, you must have experienced the craft that you are trying to impart to others.
“You must be a decent former boxer because nobody can teeach you the art and skills of the sport if they have not gone through it. Patience is also a necessity because not every boxer who comes through the door is the same. Everyone is different and you must work according to that. The most important thing is for those you are teaching to enjoy it. If that’s missing, that athlete is not at the right place. We are a team and we must trust the trainer and believe in your athlete. But this also takes dedication,” he said.
Cleve, who is enthusiastic about training the club’s young athletes, has young boys of his own who practice martial arts and he highly recommends it as a way to keep busy.
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