“Without the Jersey Boxing Club I would be in prison or dead”

One boxer said he would be “in jail or dead” if it weren’t for the Jersey Amateur Boxing Club.

Chris Rodrigues, 31, said his alcohol and drug problems began at age 18 and he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder two years later.

When he turned 23, he joined Jersey Leonis to improve his physical health and mental wellbeing and said it helped him boost his confidence.

Mr Rodrigues called for the club, which he said helped him, to receive more financial support so that it can continue to help others.

Mr Rodrigues said he was struggling with life before joining the club and realised he “had to change something”.

“Honestly, I think I would probably be in jail or dead if I didn't box because I tried to escape my problems through alcohol or prescription drugs and that really took a toll on me.”

He added: “My close friend Tom Frame used to box for Jersey Leonis and was here all the time. I knew it changed his life and helped him progress. So I knew it was the right thing for me.”

Since starting boxing, Mr. Rodrigues has represented the club in competitions and has also gained more confidence outside the ring.

“I work in an office and manage 32 people… [boxing] really helped me deal with difficult situations like presentations and difficult conversations,” he said.

Mr. Frame has seen how much Mr. Rodrigues has changed since he started boxing.

“I'm really proud of him because he is living proof that if you put in the effort and work, you can completely change your life,” he said.

The two called for more funding for Jersey Leonis to ensure the company can replace outdated equipment and improve facilities.

Club president Richard Langlois said the gym had “not changed much” since it was founded more than 70 years ago, and maintaining the equipment and facilities “depends on funding, it costs money.”

He added: “We are all volunteers, none of us earn money from it. We do it because we love the sport and what it has given us in our youth.”

To ensure that support continues, “investment is necessary,” he said, “which is why we are registered as a charity.”

Elliott Powell of Jersey Sport, which provides grants to help people stay active, said it had recently launched a fund and programme to distribute £150,000 directly to sporting organisations.

“We are committed to helping the sports community access funding so that they can continuously develop their offerings and ensure the sustainability of their offerings,” he said.

Mr Powell also said that Jersey Sport is “actively seeking to expand its financing activities” in the next funding round, which begins next year.