Coach Peta Newsome runs a girls boxing class that is about far more than showing teens how to throw a punch.

“It’s not just about boxing,” she said of the Nambour PCYC sessions. “It’s more about mental health and wellbeing. It’s more a mentoring session for the girls. It’s been going for two and a half years now, successfully, and growing.”

Peta said teenage girls, who are naturally social, had been greatly effected by the isolation and stress of the COVID pandemic.

“After COVID, I was really worried about the girls,” she said.

So Peta will use a grant from Sundale Community Foundation Board to help the girls reconnect on a camp.

“It’s a reconnection camp,” said Peta. “Where they’re going to go kayaking, do some art therapy, bush walking, yoga, all sorts of really exciting things. I really appreciate the grant because I’m passionate about the youth in our community. We have some amazing new programs at the PCYC and the girls are really excited.”

Sunshine Coast PCYC received $4500 towards the camp from the Sundale Community Foundation at a presentation last Wednesday.

• For more information about the Tuesdays from 4pm  boxing classes please contact Peta at Peta.Newsome@pcyc.org.au.