Ex-champion fighting to create sporting chance

Johnny Nelson, from Sheffield, who was the WBO world cruiserweight champion for six years and is now a boxing pundit for Sky TV, said too many people faced “obstacles” when trying to get involved in sport.

The charity, Johnny Nelson’s Sporting Pathways, will be launched at an inaugural ball in the boxer’s home city on Friday, March 16, the day before another Sheffield boxer, welterweight Kell Brook, fights Matthew Hatton at Sheffield Arena.

Nelson said he knew from his own early experiences that opportunities in sport could be difficult to find, and was able to succeed after finding a focus at trainer Brendan Ingle’s gym in Sheffield.

He added: “I was frustrated about the fact that sporting opportunities are becoming more and more difficult for many children and adults to access.

“Sport is important because it can provide a focus for people to keep fit. Without that focus we believe that it is much more likely that any fitness regime will be unsuccessful.”

Nelson said the charity hoped to help people access sports that were often seen as the preserve of the privileged, through persuading sports’ governing bodies to open up to new communities.

Jim Hope, who is helping the boxer start up the charity, which will hold its first sporting event at Wortley Hall near Sheffield later this month, said it had plans to hold sessions nationwide.

Mr Hope added: “We are starting in Sheffield this month, but we hope to move into other parts of Yorkshire very quickly and then across Britain.

“We are in negotiations with sponsors who are also interested in helping us launch the charity internationally, so it is very exciting for everyone involved.

“A sporting focus definitely makes the process of maintaining fitness much easier and should be a part of everyone’s life as it provides physical and mental wellbeing, raises self esteem and allows you to make new friends.

“Johnny wants to make a difference by allowing people who wouldn’t normally get the chance to take part in taster sessions for sports like tennis and golf and work with the governing bodies to over come obstacles that stop people participating.”

The charity plans to bid for funds to run events, but also needs sponsors to take part.

To book a table at the charity’s inaugural ball, which will take place at the St Paul’s Hotel in Sheffield city centre, or for more information on sponsoring the charity, visit www.jnspcharity.org or call 07738 828271.