Member Article

Leeds boxer helps foundation recruits to punch above their weight

Recruits at the pioneering Bayford Foundation in Hunslet - which is investing up to £5,000 to support long term unemployed on an ‘earn as you learn’ training programme - have been put through their paces during a session with Leeds trainer Darren Rhodes, a former super middleweight boxing championship level fighter.

As part of their 12- week ‘bootcamp’ training programme to equip them with sales and wider life skills, Darren harnessed boxing to teach the recruits the importance of discipline and timing – both of which are critical in selling products and services.

Run by BE Fuel Cards - which supplies BP fuel cards to UK businesses - the Foundation is investing up to £5,000 to put each recruit through the training programme and paying them a salary for its 12-week duration.

Darren said: “The Bayford Foundation is a great concept, benefiting both the recruits and the company who will be employing them. The trainees have demonstrated discipline during their training session and discipline is vital in progressing in all areas of life and work – whether it be boxing or sales. The session will hopefully continue to benefit them in the future.”

The boxing session took place at The Hunslet Club – the venue where the Foundation held its bootcamp auditions.

Storming feedback from trainees:

Zuklbair Nalban commented: “The session was very motivational and I can see the link between the discipline in boxing and in training in sales. Darren’s training was measured, focused and organised and I realise it is important to have that discipline.”

Razaqat Hussain said: “It’s great that, while training with Bayford, it’s not all “sales, sales, sales!” In this boxing session, we have learnt so much about teamwork and how we all relate to each other. It’s great that we’re getting to know each other as individuals outside of the working environment.”

Fawwad Atiq said the session taught him the importance of needing to be disciplined: “You need to think before you act and think before you react. Darren was constructive in his teaching and we’ve learnt that we can do the same - we’re no different to him - hard work, discipline and training does pay off, whatever field you’re in.”

Martin Scott said: “Today I’ve learnt that you need to keep a cool head in all situations. The boxing has been a really good experience.”

Rebecca Lawrence commented: “I encourage my son to train in boxing because I know it focuses on discipline. I think it is a great foundation for life and applies to everything, including sales.”

Jade Ward, said: “It’s been easy to see how what Darren has been teaching us applies to our work, and everyday life, and hopefully from today everyone will learn to appreciate the opportunities the Bayford Foundation are offering us.”

Amy Brierley, added: “I feel I’ve learnt a lot today - I’ve never done boxing before so was great to get a feel of it. I’ve learnt that you’ve got to put 100 per cent effort in. It’s also important to have determination and to keep at it to achieve your goals.”

Foundation mentor Alan Placid concluded: “I’ve learnt the importance of teambuilding. I can definitely see the link between discipline in boxing and sales, the discipline at the beginning to going into a structured workout, or completing a sale.”

To find out more about the opportunities available through The Bayford Foundation, call 0113 202 5129, e-mail: discover@bayfordfoundation.co.uk, or visit: www.bayfordfoundation.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Bayford Foundation .