By RON LANE
DESPITE its outstanding success, and for reasons that are hard to understand, it would have to be one of the best kept secrets in our local sporting community.
Its name is the Impact Boxing Academy Cooroy and in the tough unforgiving sport of amateur boxing, the club has definitely earned that most sought after virtue of all. Respect.
Under the control of owner and coach Mark Evans, and backed up by a small group of local people, their hard work and dedication is really starting to pay dividends.
However, as we sat in the dining room of his home in Blueberry Drive and chattered about the future, of not only his club but boxing in general, one thing became apparent.
Here was a man of passion, not only for the sport but also the welfare of the Impact members, members who proudly refer to themselves as the Impact Family.
It is this feeling that creates the atmosphere of unity – one for all and all for one.
Mark summed it up beautifully when he said: “The academy revolves mainly around the youth of the community.”
The gym itself is not easy to find. Situated some 20 metres behind the family home, in among trees at the end of the driveway, this small building with a verandah on the right leaves one feeling curious.
But immediately on entering you become aware that you are indeed in a fighters’ gym.
Small, compact, with everything in place.
To the left of the entrance are some exercise bikes and a few weights. Immediately in front of you is the ring itself. Then on the right down three steps to the next level. This houses the heavy punching bags and on the wall to the left, the mandatory big mirrors.
Adorning the walls are photos, photos of not only world professional champions but also the local members.
A motto attached to the wall carries a strong message – “Pain is Temporary – Pride is Forever”.
The atmosphere is good. When arriving for the evening training sessions members are greeted with a smile and a joke and sometimes, for the young girls who have just embarked on their career, a friendly hug of encouragement.
Then the evening training session starts and all goes well.
That basic principal of all successful sporting clubs, discipline, is obvious but not over the top.
When Australian national and Olympic boxing coach Kevin Smith visited the club some time ago he was astounded.
Standing on the verandah in late afternoon and listening to the bird calls that could be heard coming from the surrounding bush, Smith remarked: “The results this small club has achieved are remarkable. But to experience the atmosphere in which the fighters train shows why.”
Impact Boxing Academy came into being 11 years ago.
“When asked about the name Impact, Mark, who makes his living as a painting contractor, said: “I thought that if I was going to do this I definitely wanted to make an impact so people would take notice and, hopefully, the club would grow.
“Now because of the support and success that we have achieved it has become my life. So, I suppose you could say the name was a good choice.
“We now have a stable of 16 fighters plus an incredible team of supporters and this year we have had some great results.
“Our success at the recent Australian Youth Titles on the Gold Coast were remarkable.
“Add to that some of our team is not only fighting at international level but also winning. But unfortunately, till now, boxing has little or no publicity. I am hoping with our success this year things will change.”
Mark, who comes from a family of boxers, followed the family tradition.
However before doing so he spent 10 years in martial arts training at the Tong Long Kung Fu School in Nambour, seven of which he spent working as an instructor.
Starting in October last year the club really gained momentum when Mark was appointed Home Coach to the Junior World Championships in Russia and Sam Cameron-Hands of Impact boxed on the team.
A week after returning home Sam, along with fellow club mate James Beazley, flew to Europe as members of the Queensland team to box against the Germans for the Brandenburg Cup, which they won.
This year 2016 saw the success continue. For the people of the Impact Family, it has definitely been outstanding – and remember it’s only June.
The first big event of the year came when Mark was named President of Boxing Queensland.
Add to this he was also appointed to the position of Queensland Talent Identification Coach by Boxing Australia.
In the ring the fighters also kept up the momentum. Eight made the state team, the biggest number ever to come from one club and contest the Australian Youth Championships.
They came home with an incredible five gold and three silver medals.
Then came Poland and the Black Diamond International Tournament.
From the quite little country town of Cooroy, training in a small gym among the trees in Cudagree Estate, just off Blueberry Drive, to the stadiums of Europe, Impact’s Brock Shelby and Taylah Robertson made history by winning the club’s first ever gold medals at international level.
Another indication of the respect that Mark now commands is the fact that towards the end of the year he has been appointed by Boxing Australia to conduct a high performance training camp for the Australian National Team at the A.I.S. in Canberra.
Down through the years there have been other notable events that have passed with little or no attention. The year 2010 saw the Impact Boxing Academy, supported by the Noosa District High School, host the State of Origin Queensland v New South Wales tournament.
June 2015 saw Mark and Israel Kani join forces to organise and run a massive state boxing seminar at Kanis Noosas Box Office Fitness and Boxing Club. With coaches and fighters from all over the state this was indeed a great success – a tribute to both men.
Let us remember that events such as these are also good for the community as it brings business into our town.
But, above all, it creates publicity for our district and gives us the opportunity to show our hospitality.
However it is not just in the gymnasium of the Impact Academy where Mark teaches the finer points of boxing.
Under strict supervision, Mark teaches special needs students the rudiments of the art for one term a year at the Noosa District High School.
“In our classes these young people learn the importance of self-discipline, good conduct and basic self-defence and fitness.
“Since the program was introduced the teachers have noticed less incidents and better behaviour amongst students.”
It is interesting to note that down through the years Impact members have already won several National and Golden Glove titles.
‘’Apart from maintaining the high standard of boxing our other goal is to achieve a major sponsorship,” Mark said, “and this is a big problem.
“Also, Australia has never won a gold medal for boxing at the Olympic Games. This is something we should aim for as a nation. This is why boxing in international tournaments is vital. It is not just for our club, it’s for our country.”
With the Impact Boxing Academy now turning out state, national and international champions, it is to be hoped that some local business houses will give thought to considering sponsorship.
Let us never forget that the people of Impact Boxing Academy are Our People.
