World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Darwin boxing program gives young people coaching and community support
In Darwin, Hoops 4 Health runs a free boxing program for young people called Gloves of Hope.
The Aboriginal-led group works with young people across the Northern Territory, including some in detention centres.
Professional coaches teach boxing while helping participants build discipline, resilience and community support.
The program also uses rhythmic exercise and positive role models to help young people manage emotions and build confidence.
This work comes as the Northern Territory has some of Australia’s highest youth incarceration rates, particularly among First Nations boys aged 10 to 14.
A sold-out amateur event at Marrara Stadium brought together boxers from Darwin, Alice Springs and Kununurra, putting the program’s young fighters on a big stage.
Hoops 4 Health’s free Gloves of Hope program uses boxing coaching to support young people in Darwin.
The program aims to build resilience, discipline and community support while improving mental health.
Its sold-out amateur boxing event at Marrara Stadium brought together fighters from across the region.
The initiative is run by an Aboriginal-led grassroots organisation that also supports some young people in Northern Territory detention centres.
Social impact director Matthew Bonson said the program offers positive role models but is not a complete solution.
- Who
- Hoops 4 Health runs the program, with professional coaches and local boxing clubs involved. It is aimed at young people.
- What
- The free Gloves of Hope program teaches boxing while seeking to build resilience, discipline and community support. It also hosted an amateur boxing event.
- When
- The event took place on Saturday. The article was published on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- The program is in Darwin, Northern Territory. The sold-out event was held at Marrara Stadium.
- Why
- The program aims to support young people’s mental health and emotional regulation, and to connect them with positive role models.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Declan Unwin-Walker began training with Gloves of Hope.
Gloves of Hope and Boxing NT held a sold-out amateur boxing event at Marrara Stadium.
- Organisation
- Hoops 4 Health
- Program
- Gloves of Hope
- Venue
- Marrara Stadium, Darwin
- Event attendance
- Sold out; one boxer said he had heard 1,000 people were coming
- Regional team
- Kununurra Warriors Boxing Club travelled from Western Australia
What people are saying
We try to improve their mental health, but also guide them with integrity about how they live their lives.
It's not a magic-wand solution, but we're trying our best to give [young people] positive examples.
We all push each other and show up every day and its definitely about pushing each other and just yeah — keep showing up
I was pretty surprised to hear there was 1,000 people coming