Emma Cook reports on the resurgence of the Fitzroy Stars boxing centre in Melbourne, a place that back in the 1980s was abuzz with young Koori men training to become sporting champions.

It’s sat relatively idle for the past few years but that’s now changed, thanks to trainer Fabian Viola.

So keen to see the gym get back to its former glory, Fabian worked for the first six months without pay and is now being rewarded: two young Koori men in particular are showing great promise.

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Transcript

VO: In 1977 the Fitzroy stars acknowledge ridge natural community club opened in Melbourne to help combat the increasing drug and alcohol problems in the communities.

It quickly grew to become one of the strongest Aboriginal gyms in the country, we travelled to Melbourne to see how an attempt to revive the gym's boxing program is already achieving results.

Colin Mitchell has been a member of the Fitzroy stars for more than 20 years. He joined when it was a powerhouse for Victorian digital ent, especially in boxing where Colin himself trained to become a Victorian state champion

Colin: Back in the 80s when I first got down, 1986, they had a few professional fighters here and yeah, the atmosphere was electric

VO: But the gym has been quiet over the past few years with the boxing program stopped completely. In 2000, one of the head trainers passed away unfortunately and yeah, that really more or less gutted the gym. That is, until now.

Fabian was recruited earlier this year as the star's newest trainer, so dedicated to get the boxing program up and running again. He went for the first 6 months without pay.

His hard work has been rewarded with many of the young boys showing great promise.

Boxer: I was even come out of a lot since I have been here and had Fabian around and boxing and having him as a good friend a mentor. I've come a very long way.

VO: James Williams and Ronnie Mac are two boys who have shown particular promise. By day they work at the Aboriginal health service around the corner but by night, they are hoping to become Australia's next great Indigenous boxers.

Boxer: Hopefully one day, I will be able to represent my people at the Olympics, the highest level. Maybe one day, if I train hard and I know I can make it.

VO: His trainer agrees that both of them can achieve their dreams if they keep their motivation up.

Fabian: These guys can go wherever they want, boxing is the type of sport if if you've got the right match up which I think we have already established we have, a match up in relationship with us, we have got the right relationship, the rest is up to them.

VO: James and Ronnie have already showcased their talents on the Victorian amateur boxing circuit. Both remaining undefeated from 2 fights so far.

Boxer: Your head is down there, see when your head is down there. He can get you It's probably the second best experience in me life when the referee puts your hands up and you have won the first, the first being the birth of my little girl who is 2 years old. Yeah.

VO: For Colin Mitchell, it's a dream come true, seeing his son Ronnie follow his footsteps and maybe one day added to the great list of boxers who have trained at the Fitzroy stars

Colin: I am pretty proud to see him you know in the sport of boxing and just after the fight, all the old trainers are coming up to me, it's great to see the stars back into it, this Fabian is a great trainer, I think the whole - the whole atmosphere amongst the crowd and the trainers and the organisers of amateur boxing were just rapt to see the Fitzroy stars back into it

VO: Its importance of being part of the new breed isn't lost on James and Ronnie.

Boxer: To know that you know, Elders before you put this place there for us, to be able to just participate and be counted, it was great. They would all be pretty proud of us and what we are doing for the community, you know. Feel like role models sort of thing, you know. Yeah. It's good to see that it's picking up and it's getting back the way it used to be. It's a very strong club, probably the best gym in Australia, very well known and it's good to see it getting back there.
Source: SBS