Our Say youth magazine Issue 2

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Youth Magazine Autumn 2010 issue 2

King Khan inspires young people

An interview with Amir Khan, Boxing Champion

By Our Say Team

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1) How did you get into boxing? What was your inspiration?

I was 8 years old and very hyper active when I was a kid, my father took me to the boxing gym and it felt like home, he was my inspiration as he took me twice a week from a very young age.

2) Do you think it is important to give back to the community?

Yes of course it is very important to give back, I have opened up a boxing gym in the local area to give kids out there a chance and keep them off the streets.

3) You recently supported a boxing club in Brent that was in danger of closing, how do feel boxing clubs help the community?

It gives the kids out there a different option in life and keeps them away from crime and drugs, and they could also make a career out of it.

4) Do you think it promotes violence by teaching young people to box?

Not at all, boxing is a much disciplined sport, you don’t see any boxers out there causing trouble, it stays in the ring.

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5) What are the benefits of boxing for young people?

Fitness, stress relief, career option and most of all fun.

6) How would you encourage more girls to get involved in boxing?

Just to try it out first and see how you feel about it.

7) What are your views on the state of British boxing?

British boxing is on its way up, got a couple of world champs in myself and David Haye, and a lot of young stars and prospects coming up too.

8) Since you started out in the Olympics- are you excited about the forthcoming 2010 Olympics for Britain?

Yes the 2012 Olympics in London are going to be amazing, I cant wait and I will definitely be there, will bring back a lot of memories for me and hopefully we can top the gold medallist.

9) Who do you look up to?

The likes of Muhammed Ali, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao 10) Who will your next fight be with?

We are still in negotiations but hopefully against Marquez.

11) Do you ever break free from your training regime?

Never from my training camp, only inbetween fights.

12) What football team do you support?

Bolton Wanderers.

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Meet the Team Tim Poole, aged 17 I’ve had a great summer, spent over 3 weeks in Russia where there was 40 degree heat. I had a superb year 12 and now I’m enjoying the end of the holidays and looking forward to an even better year 13.

Tips for getting to university

By Tim Poole, aged 17

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This year, a record number of applicants were accepted into university or college. However, tens of thousands of students will be left without a course due to university budget cuts and increasing competition for places.

Tim Poole researched the best things to do to make sure you get into university: Choices: Every A-Level student gets five choices of university courses and using them well is the tactical key to gaining a place. There is no harm in choosing three or four good universities, but at least one has to be a good back up that is either different or has lower requirements than your other choices. When you get offers, it is also essential to use your first and insurance choices strategically.

Personal Statement: The personal statement is broken down into five sections. Each section is just as important as the other and writing a brilliant personal statement can sometimes be the main reason you get into university. Get as much help and consultation from teachers as you can and make sure you do enough extra curricular activities and work experience so you can write about it in your application.

Effort: The main thing you can do to get into university is put in the effort. Most of the people that don’t get into university fail to do so because of their grades. Although there are many factors in getting in, grades are extremely important. So if you’re ever invited to the cinema the weekend before an exam and you know you haven’t revised enough, the choice you make could be the difference between getting into university or not.

Finally, it’s important to remember that there are other avenues besides university. If you don’t see yourself at university, this doesn’t mean you can’t get a job and it doesn’t mean your life will be any less successful. After your A-levels, alternatives are getting a job or there are many apprenticeships you can do.

Peter Nugent, aged 17 Over the summer I’ve been doing a project at Roehampton University about “Detecting Falls” which ran for four weeks using accelerometers and crash mats, I got to work with loads of great people and participate in some actual scientific research.

Paul Nugent, aged 17 My name is Paul Nugent; I enjoy football, and the scene of politics within the United Kingdom. In my spare time I play games.

Daisy Farci, aged 14 I’ve had a fantastic summer, but I hate the fact that I’m going back to school into Year 9. I’m really happy that I’m now 14 and I hope it will be a successful and promising year.

Michael Barrett, aged 17 Over the summer holidays I attended Brent Summer University and also helped with the activities at Hay Lane School. We played sports, Nintendo wii and did some arts and crafts. I had a lot of fun.

Jessica Perry, aged 18 Hi my name is Jessica and I’m 18. I am the Sports Editor for the “Our Say” youth magazine. I plan to go to university in September to study sports therapy.

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Say no to drugs!

By Peter Nugent, aged 17

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Drugs are substances that range from aerosols and solvents to tobacco and heroin; they have few positives to them that are considerably outweighed by their negatives.

The most notable negative effect of drugs is that they are addictive. Even if the effects are minor, after a considerable amount of abuse they will have a major impact on your physical and mental state, for example causing liver cancer.

People generally get involved with drugs because they are pressured by their peers and feel that they have no choice but to try them. However since drugs are addictive the occasional “one off” turns in to a routine abuse of the substance that will eventually lead to devastating effects.

Take Cannabis for example, it is a Class B drug which you may assume is mild but it leads to cannabis psychosis which is a form of schizophrenia, a mental illness that destroys your thinking process and emotional responsiveness.

It will take a lot of will power to eventually shake the habit however it’s not impossible. Luckily there are lots of resources that provide information to quit an addiction or prevent you from getting involved in the first place which is the best option. For further information log on to the FRANK website: www.talktofrank.com

My boxing experience

By Michael Barrett, aged 17

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All this talk of boxing and we were eager to try it out.

Michael Barrett (News Editor) volunteered to attend a local boxing class to see what all the fuss was about.

I attended a boxing class in Stonebridge which holds regular sessions for all ages.

There was a class of about seven other young people and we began with a few warm ups. We then used boxing gloves and practiced doing jabs with the coach. As this was the first time I have done any form of boxing, I was feeling the burn.

Strangely enough it made me feel really sleepy.

On my second session at least I knew what to expect. I was told to buy some boxing straps to wrap around my hands, knuckles and wrists to protect them. This helped a lot. I also realised that drinking water was really important in order to keep me hydrated. I was beginning to push myself a bit more to do the exercises.

By the third session I had a lot more energy, and was put into the ring for sparring. I did quite a lot of boxing on this day and felt I had made some noticeable improvements.

It’s been a great experience, loads of fun and I am looking forward to continuing with my boxing training.

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Sports facilities in Brent

By Daisy Farci, aged 14

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Boxing as well as any sports is very good for your health, stamina and strength. There are four main sports centres in Brent which are owned by the council.

Professional Football Coaching

Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre Brentfield, Harrow Road London, NW10 0RG 020 8937 3730 Charteris Sports Centre 24-30 Charteris Road Kilburn, NW6 7ET 020 8937 3644

Freeofcharge!

Young people aged 12-18 Training times are 4pm-7pm at;

Copland College, Cecil Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7DU Cardinal Hinsley High School Harlesden Road, London NW10 3RN

Vale Farm Sports Centre Watford Road, North Wembley HA0 3HG 020 8908 6545 For further information please contact

Willesden Sports Centre Donnington Road, Willesden London, NW10 3QX 020 8955 1120

Matthew Lock at QPR FC on: Office : 0208 740 2585 Mobile: 07815 670 806

Sports are a good way to keep fit, have fun and make new friends. There are discounts available for young people so ask when you go.

WIN AN IPOD SHUFFLE Q) What football team does Amir Khan support?

Correct answers will be entered into a prize draw to win an Ipod Shuffle.

Please send answers to: Nadia Khan, Communications Officer Brent Housing Partnership Chancel House Neasden Lane London NW10 2UF Alternatively you can also email and call us with your answer.

Email: nadia.khan@bhphousing.co.uk Tel: 020 8937 2363