Primary school children in Aberdeen are being offered boxing lessons in an attempt to improve confidence and tackle obesity.
Twenty-two pupils from Tullos, Victoria Road and Walker Road schools are taking part in an eight-week pilot scheme. There is no physical contact, although children will shadow-box and use pads for punching. The scheme has been organised by Amateur Boxing Scotland and the Scottish Executive.
Greg Dempster, general secretary of the Association of Directors of Heads and Deputes in Scotland, said: “Anything that encourages greater physical activity is obviously to be welcomed - noting that it is physical activity instead of pugilism.”
The scheme is part of Sport Scotland’s Active Schools initiative, which targets children who feel excluded by mainstream sports. The pilot is supported by Aberdeen’s Children’s University scheme.
