Local business owner Hayley Brown's dream is to open a free boxing gym at the old Church of Christ building on Rous Road.

She lives near Shearman Drive and knows young people in Goonellabah need more activities to keep them off the streets and give them skills.

While she would love to open it in the next few weeks, she needs money to kit the gym out and get the boxing ring built.

It's not a standard gym, but one with the goal of bringing kids into an environment where they are taught discipline and skills, to help them make better decisions in life.

Many people will know the name, Hayley Brown from Horns Gas & Plumbing. However, many may not know that Hayley is an experienced boxer with five bouts under her belt at the Workers Club, Evans Head, Kingscliff and two in Brisbane.

(The site of the new Gospel Gloves Inc boxing gym on Rous Road, Goonellabah next to the shopping centre. Photo: Simon Mumford)

The new gym will be a qualified glove club with NSW Boxing affiliation plus the two trainers, Hayley and Raymond Welsh are registered with the NSW Amateur Boxing Association.

Hayley and Ray will teach the older kids while Luke Simpson from Bundjalung Fitness is going to teach the kids under 10.

Initially, the sessions will be Friday afternoons from 4:30pm to 5pm with a Wednesday session booked when Friday's become full.

"We have structured activities," Hayley said, "they have to learn the basics first."

"There is a lot of fitness that has to be reached before the kids can start boxing. Where this takes them is up to them, we can go to tournaments or they can come and train just to get stuff off their chest."

What inspired Hayley?

"It started when some kids were throwing rocks at my friends house because they wanted to swim in her pool and were told they couldn't. I went up to them and offered to pay for them to go to GSAC where half of them were barred, so I thought what can I do to help."

"It's not really their fault, some parents are in jail so there is a lack of direction and no positive influence which is what we are trying to provide."

"We started doing a free boxing gym in Clifford Park before COVID and had 10-12 kids coming every week. Then COVID hit so we had to stop."

(Gospel Gloves Inc at Clifford Park)

"Trying to get the kids to come back was hard, we tried another park but didn't really get any kids so we are set up at Sherman now which is ok but still a bit of a dodgy space. I have just made the commitment to pay the rent myself so we can start in the building."

Boxing ring

Hayley's biggest expense is the actual boxing ring which comes in at $5500.

"I have raised $1500 but do need help from the community in raising the other 3 grand," Hayley said, "We have ropes, gloves, hand weights but do need more bags so I do need a bit more gear."

Gospel Gloves Inc is not set up as a not-for-profit organisation just yet so donations are not tax deductible. If you can make a donation to help get this community project off the ground, the details for a direct deposit are:

Bank: Commonwealth Bank

Name: Gospel Gloves Inc

BSB: 062 565

A/c No.: 1092 4878.

As for the detractors that are wondering if this will end up having a negative impact, Hayley offers these comments.

"There are rules. If they are found fighting on the street they will be suspended and then barred for a second offence".

Christian group

"We are a christian boxing group and when they come in it is about discipline, which is why there is so much emphasis on the fitness and the technique before they are allowed into the ring."

"It is also an outlet for the kids so rather than take their frustrations or boredom out on the street they can come and do that on the bag or in the ring."

"They will be absolutely exhausted when they get through the session. Raymond and I will be there to talk to them, if we see them acting out."

"We are young so we can relate to them. It's about trying to teach them compassion and give them hope for the future and make good choices and that they are loved and not forgotten."

"Once you have the skills you are less likely to engage because you know the power of what you can do and what you are capable of."

As a community we should get behind people like Hayley that are using their personal time and finances in helping our misguided youth to make a difference.