Justin Reid has donned the boxing gloves on and off since he was 13 years old, and it was the efforts of his close mates and PCYC that created the love for the sport he has today. 22 years later, Justin is the new PCYC Orange Boxing Coach.

“I took my first boxing lesson when I was 16 years old and it was at PCYC here in Orange (when it was at its old location in Byng Street)” said Justin. “I also had a lot of mates that came here.

“I initially followed a mate, Ben Quarmby.. then I got hooked on it. I watched him turn into the awesome fighter he was and that inspired me to, really try.”

Justin has competed in many boxing tournaments, and has trained in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jujitsu, though boxing is evidently his true passion.

“Boxing is definitely my number one sport, I always come back to it.. this is what I love to do. It’s the best sort of fitness, it works everything, strength and cardio. The basics of it are still there, but the sport is always evolving.”

Whilst it wasn’t always smooth sailing Justin admitted, he’d never expect years later he’d walk into the PCYC halls and be ‘Boxing Coach’, at a young age Justin was told he was a ‘lazy’ by his own coach, evidently, it seems it sparked his fire.  

“I got a bit bummed out about that and didn’t come back for a while.. But as I grew up it made me think if I really wanted to give it a good crack, I’d have to get into it, and so I did.

“The sport has taught me a lot. It’s saved me from a lot of things, growing up I got into a lot of trouble. ‘This’ (boxing), has always given me something to look forward to, to work towards, it always kept my mind focused and on achieving a goal, whether it be weight loss or getting ready for a tournament, it’s always on my mind. I don’t want to go out on the weekend and be irresponsible, I want to be in the gym and staying fit.”

PCYC Orange Manager Jaime was eager to bring Justin into the PCYC family. “Jaime gave me the opportunity here and I’m very appreciative of it. This is by far the best job I’ve ever had,” Justin beamed.

“If you want to come to a gym that has a great culture, that’s friendly, that facilitates all ages, from young to elderly.. come to PCYC, get fit and learn technique, it’s an amazing place.”