“He’s full of energy, tough as nails, and keen as mustard.”
That’s how House of Stoush Academy proprietor/boxing coach Bryce Poorter described Romsey 11-year-old Billy Jarvis, who made his amateur boxing debut in Canberra on Sunday morning.
Billy fought New South Wales opponent Matthew Devine in a sanctioned Boxing Australia event held at the Australian Institute of Sport in the 30 – 32kg weight division.
The well-contested fight ended up with a unanimous points decision by the three judges in favour of Billy, much to the delight of his entourage.
“Boxing has been genuinely life-changing for Billy. It has given him confidence, purpose, structure and a place to thrive while navigating multiple diagnostic challenges, proud mum Amber said before leaving Romsey for Canberra.
The Jarvis family — Amber, husband Tommy, Billy and seven-year-old Florence — reside on a large block of elevated township land, which Amber correctly spied as a bargain about 16 years ago.
They built there, and love Romsey. But much time has been spent helping Billy navigate daily challenges that were only fully diagnosed some six months ago.
Amber curtailed her business interests so she could spend more time with Billy.
Billy eventually went to primary school, but could not attend every day, and Amber acknowledges the teachers and principal have done their very best.
“Our son is intellectually brilliant, but the journey so far has been testing for us all,” she said.
“We were so lucky a Wandong family we knew had direct contact with the House of Stoush, which has grown considerably in Wallan since being established back in 2017.”
It was suggested boxing might be an ideal sport for Billy to pursue, with particular benefits, and it seems to be working out really well.
“Billy has spent two sessions a week on boxing training at the academy, and Bryce Poorter has been extraordinary in his tuition,” Amber explained.
Each week Billy is out in the car, smiling and ready and waiting to head off to Wallan.
“In four months, he was presented with his boxers blue book and registered with Boxing Victoria which we believe can take time to achieve in boxing,” Amber added.
In Victoria, young fighters cannot take part in formal bouts until they are aged 12.
Going to Canberra to fight in the ACT on Sunday overcame this restriction.
ALL TAKEN ON BOARD
“Everything I say, Billy takes on board, and he practises at home as well to reach a high standard,” his very pleased boxing coach explained.
Poorter was a fighter in the 1990s and 2000s, and always wanted to stay in the industry.
He said the Wallan enterprise had worked out well, and he now had 18 regular boxers in training, and an average of well over 100 individuals working out in the gym on a regular basis.
They come from as far away as Heathcote and Epping and the Macedon Ranges.
The House of Stoush is pleased to have produced champions in various age groups, and taught many about the benefits of boxing overall.
“Many participants improve their self-defence and gain a confidence boost as well,” Poorter added.
