South Africa’s athletic community is witnessing a surge of talent nurtured by dedicated development groups, and Boxer Athletics Club (BAC) is at the forefront, fostering a proud legacy of achievement and inclusivity.
Boxer Athletics Club is making significant strides in developing athletes across various regions, with a strong emphasis on empowering young talent from diverse backgrounds. The club’s commitment to grassroots development is evident in the success of groups across several provinces in South Africa.
Mario Training Group: A Vosloorus Success StoryIn Vosloorus, Mario Training, operating under the BAC Development banner, has been a beacon of athletic opportunity for five years. This group has successfully guided numerous athletes from their early stages to senior-level competition. Their dedication spans across all age categories, from Under 5 to Under 23, showcasing their commitment to long-term athlete development.
A highlight for the BAC Development team in Vosloorus was seeing four of their developing athletes make history by representing Gauteng at the SA under-23 Championships in Cape Town in March this year. The team’s focus extends beyond competition, with a clear emphasis on celebrating the young athletes, affectionately known as “Our Stars”. BAC Border: Championing Eastern Cape Talent.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, BAC Border is making waves under the guidance of the Boxer AC Coordinator for Border, Simon Ngxeke. Ngxeke’s extensive experience in athletics, from his early days with Oxford Striders to his current role as a top referee, has been instrumental in the club’s growth. Since joining BAC in late 2023, Ngxeke has focused on building the club by actively recruiting at School Athletics events. This effort has yielded impressive results, with two junior females achieving Provincial Colours in cross-country and four male juniors securing podium finishes in 2024.
BAC has provided a crucial platform for these athletes, many of whom had never participated in formal races before, earning gratitude from parents and the community. Despite challenges, such as the fact that 90% of BAC Border’s athletes hail from rural areas and require accommodation before races, the club has consistently achieved podium finishes across junior, senior (35+, 40+, 50+, and 60+), and social running categories. BAC Border’s success stories include athletes like Image Norayase, who has dominated the Female Junior 10km races, and Uviwe Simon, recognized for consistent performance and recent race wins.
Emmah Nqakulela is another shining star, balancing academic excellence with impressive results in 5km, 800m, and 1500m events. Liyema Piyose has also demonstrated competitive prowess against top juniors, while Liyema Lunyawo and Siyolise Nqam are recognized as promising male juniors. Twins, Naba and Nabo Mente 12 years old also received their Border Colours for Cross Country. Boxer AC: A Proud Legacy of Diversity and DevelopmentBoxer Athletics Club takes immense pride in its development teams and their achievements.
“The Boxer AC Junior team is one of the Boxer AC’s, and certainly one of my proudest achievements. To have so many kids from disadvantaged areas in the Boxer AC kit, and to give youngsters a chance to prove themselves and shine, is magic, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds,” stated Boxer AC Manager Rhyn Swanepoel.
The Boxer AC Development Division boasts a substantial registration of athletes, with between 50 to 65 young athletes participating. “It’s important to note that the number of athletes achieving national medals represents just a portion of the club’s overall junior participation. At the SA Junior Championship, Boxer AC had a strong contingent of 16 junior athletes from previously disadvantaged backgrounds (10 boys and 6 girls), showcasing the depth of talent within the club. I also want to highlight the amazing achievements of the two young juniors who won the Boxer Super Run 1km dash in Tshwane in November 2024, 12 year old Carlos Makheseng and 11 year old Anzel Homan from Meyerton, Gauteng. Watch out for these two, they have a stellar future ahead,” added Swanepoel.
Boxer AC’s dedication to development extends across multiple regions through various groups and includes:
· Phalula Development – Soweto/Diepkloof/Orange Farm
· Ruimsig Group -Johannesburg
· Coach Thulani Sebeko- Boksburg
· Coach Mario Training – Benoni/Vosloorus
· Simon Border – East London Rural and Greater Eastern Cape RuralBoxer Athletics Club, through its dedicated development groups and athletes, continues to significantly and positively impact the South African sporting landscape.
Image 1: The incredible young athletes from Ruimsig Group are destined for greatness as they take on more running events under the Boxer Athletics Club Development Team banner. With them is Boxer Athletics Club Manager Rhyn Swanepoel.
Image 2: The highly talented Phalula Development runners at the recently held CGA Cross Country Championships. Keep an eye out for these stars, as the promise of future success awaits them!
Image 3: 12 year old Twins, Naba and Nabo Mente, with Coach Simon Border. The twins have shown incredible form at such a young age, recently receiving their Border Colours for Cross Country.
