09/04/2025
Happy 12th birthday to The Academy of Hard Knocks and what a 11 years we helped 297 young people Change their lives
Been in local and national papers 27 times had 15 radio interviews, and been on national news 8 times SkyNews ITV News BBC News Channel 5 News had loads of celebrity guest most memorable was Frank Bruno MBE we have also won 7 awards the high sheriffs award being the most prestigious
2025/6 will see us relaunching in Kent so watch this space 🥊🥊
although not been delivering the actual course for a while , I am still plugging away and doing freelance stuff and knife crime projects
here’s what we said 12 years ago and still stands today
The Academy of Hard Knocks is a new initiative designed to challenge destructive and antisocial behaviour patterns, and with the use of a carefully structured programme that incorporates esteem building, teamwork, positive role models and respect, aims to reduce reoffending rates.
The Academy is designed to provide a safe and protective environment for young people. All instructors are highly qualified, holding all necessary in date registrations and licences. All necessary protective policies and procedures have been undertaken and all instructors have extensive experience within their relevant fields and have a genuine desire to help change lives.
The Academy of Hard Knocks is a community based interest project .We operate purely on donations, government grants, good will and promotion/sponsorship agreements.
Our programme incorporates gym sessions, mixed martial arts, nutrition classes, drug and alcohol work, and guest talks.
Participants are expected to commit to a twelve week course, attending twice weekly for two hours per day. The training programme is progressive in the methods and equipment used and aims to be physically challenging for all ability levels whilst also being varied enough to maintain interest.
The staff at The Academy of Hard Knocks will not preach but hope to show that choices can still be made and although a cliché, it’s never too late.
We all have stories and none of them are finished yet.
Yesterday can never be changed, tomorrow can be.
The prison population increases, reoffending rates increase and statistics show exposure to the prison environment at younger ages has significant effects upon future opportunities and repeat exposure.
Prisons are now referred to as having a revolving door and with the astronomical costs related to keeping an individual in prison, something needs to change. Unfortunately, policy reform is long in the making and even longer to implement. Lives are being destroyed today and will be tomorrow.
If we at the academy can make just a small difference then we reduce victims, budgets and can really change lives, today and tomorrow
