Cwmcarn Amateur Boxing Club has more than 20 members – 17 of which are licensed and competitive boxers.
The club also has ten members who are under 16 years of age and look to the seniors for help and guidance.
As well as training for fitness and sporting success, a great deal of emphasis is placed on ensuring young people enjoy being at the club and feel part of a safe and friendly community where they can have fun and make friends.
Luke Richards is a member of Caerphilly Council’s Education Department and volunteers with the club.
He said: “We are not just boxing coaches to our members; we are youth workers, role models and friends.
“We take the responsibility that we have to our boxers extremely seriously, offering support and advice to all of them in any area of their lives that they may require.
“Our club is like a family and we support each other in such a way that everyone involved with the club experiences a strong sense of belonging.
“Everyone enjoys knowing that they are a respected and valued member of a winning team. We celebrate our victories together and we take our losses together.
“No one is ever on their own, even when they step inside the ring.”
For those interested in taking up boxing the club offers a free class each Tuesday. The aim of the class is to increase fitness, boost self-esteem and to introduce people to the basics of boxing.
This very popular class is delivered in partnership with the council’s Caerphilly Sport and this is open to everyone.
Councillor Dave Poole, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council praised the volunteers and said: “The passion Luke has for Cwmcarn Amateur Boxing Club is incredible.
“By volunteering his time Luke does much more than passing on the skills and techniques of boxing. All of the volunteers help to create a community, a place where everybody feels welcome.
“This is especially important for the young people involved with the project. I’m sure they gain so much from the mentoring and leadership they receive.
“Making lifelong friends and having fun whilst finding out what they want to do with their lives and where they belong. I wish them all the very best for the future.”