Reiger Park Boxing Academy gives youth a fighting chance at a better future
For 25 years, the Reiger Park Boxing Academy has been more than just a gym. Under the guidance of Neville Booysen, it has become a safe space where young people learn.
For the past 25 years, the Reiger Park Boxing Academy has been shaping more than just boxers—it has been shaping futures.
Founded in 2000 by Neville Booysen, Johnny Muller, and the late Don Harris, the club continues to give hope and opportunities to young people through the power of sport.
Booysen, a former boxer and Head coach of Reiger Park Boxing Academy qualified head coach, says the idea was simple from the start.
“We saw so many young people in Reiger Park with potential but no opportunities. We wanted to create a space where they could learn discipline, gain confidence, and stay off the streets.”
The Academy, affiliated with Ekurhuleni Amateur Boxing, currently trains 18 local boxers and has become a respected name in amateur boxing circles.
“Our main goal is to develop and enhance boxing skills while also teaching life lessons. We don’t just train athletes; we develop people who can contribute positively to society.”
The gym is open to boys and girls from the age of 10 and offers several programmes, including boxing training, strength and conditioning, fitness sessions, and weight-loss training.
“Not everyone who walks through our doors wants to be a professional boxer. Some just want to get fit or learn discipline, and that’s perfectly fine. Boxing builds character in everyone.”
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Under Booysen’s leadership, the Academy has achieved remarkable success. Among its standout athletes are Joshua Klein, Junior Mamba, Theo-Maine Fourie, and Danzil Morris, who have won numerous medals at Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, and SANABO championships. Mamba recently represented South Africa in Angola and Seychelles, a proud moment for the small community gym.
“Seeing our boxers compete nationally and internationally makes me proud. It proves that talent from townships like ours can go far when given the right support.”
Booysen has also been recognised beyond the ring, receiving the 365 SA Men’s Award in 2024 from the Gauteng Department of Social Development for being a positive male role model.
Looking ahead, he hopes to expand the gym’s facilities to reach more youth in Reiger Park.
“Our current space is small, but our dreams are big. If we can keep one more young person focused and away from negative influences, that’s already a victory.”
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