Coaching the coaches

By Chloe Chomicki 11 February 2017, 12:00AM

The role of coaches in the revival of boxing in Samoa is critical.

So says retired Boxing Coach Bodo Andreass who is in Apia for the Marist International Sports Week, which started on Thursday night.

“When I visited Australia in ’97 for the Oceania Championships Australia, New Zealand and Samoa were ranked very closely,” Andreass said. 

“Now I feel that boxing is at risk here in Samoa. To recover the sport, coaches must be inspired as boxers cannot revive it alone.

 “I want to use my experience to give these coaches a helping hand however I can.”

He is looking forward to assisting both local and international coaches attending the boxing clinics scheduled for Savai’i and Upolu on Monday and Tuesday.

Originally from Germany, Andreass has coached boxers throughout many locations such as South Africa, Australia and Fiji only to name a few.

 “I hope that as many coaches as possible will come to the boxing clinics being held on Monday and Tuesday,” he says.

Andreass said he is delighted to be in Samoa for the event.

“I was asked to attend the Marist International Sports Week by a Michael Lemisio,” Andreass says. 

“After he passed one of my courses held in Fiji he told me that he was so impressed by the knowledge he had gained as a result he said he would get me to Samoa.” 

When the opportunity to attend the International Sports week arose, Andreass combined forces with the South Australian Boxing Team who were in need of the exposure. 

 “Coincidentally the South Australian team who will be participating in the Marist International Sports Week were wanting international exposure when this opportunity arose.

 “I informed them of this fantastic opportunity to come to Samoa and join the competition and they jumped at the chance.” 

Also participating alongside Samoa and Australia in this week’s boxing events are New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa. 

“It’s always harder to win away from home but the South Australian team are in good shape and are ready for the tournament.”

The boxing clinics will be held on 13 February in Upolu and 14 February at Savai’i. 

By Chloe Chomicki 11 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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