World champion boxers visit White Hart Lane (From Haringey Independent)

World champion boxers Richie Woodhall and Colin McMillan visit students at White Hart Lane under police initiative

1:30pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

Two boxing stars visited Tottenham as part of police initiative to encourage students to stay on the right track.

Former world champions Richie Woodhall and Colin McMillan swung by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in High Road yesterday to meet female students from The Octagon and Hornsey School for Girls.

The Amateur Boxing Association of England initiative, which was organised by Haringey PC Joe Stephens, teaches young people non-contact boxing skills and is intended to improve young people's relationship with the police.

The girls were given the chance to dress up in heavy police riot equipment and ask officers questions about their jobs.

PC Stephens, safer schools officer at Hornsey School for girls and assistant boxing coach, said: "The sessions were extremely positive and enabled the young people to work as a team and learn about staying safe and healthy.

Former super middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall said: "I work as an Olympic boxing coach now. I was brought up on a council estate and didn't turn back once I started boxing.

"I can see the benefit of what boxing brings for kids, especially those from deprived backgrounds, it’s a great sport for them to get into.

“Boxing can help them onto the right track, to get into a routine and learn the right way to do things.”