Victory Boxing is a charitable trust in Nelson South that has been making a positive impact on the community since 2011. Founded by Paul Hampton while he was Deputy Principal at Victory Primary School, the programme began with just 20 children and now has over 400 children registered. In 2013 the gym moved to its current premises at 98-100 Vanguard Street, where it operates today under Paul's full-time leadership as Programme Director.
Everything at Victory Boxing is underpinned by four core values: Respect, Responsibility, Determination and Caring. The flagship after-school youth programme teaches kids boxing alongside life skills, honesty and mentorship, supported by a team of volunteers — including members of the Nelson Police, who come down to the gym whenever they can. The trust also works alongside schools and community groups to run programmes during the day.
Adults are well looked after too, with a very successful and popular adult fitness programme and dedicated fitness classes for adults with Parkinson's Disease. Since 2017 the organisation's patron has been Jeff Rackley, who represented New Zealand as a boxer at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and won numerous national titles — he still volunteers at the gym several times a week.
Governed by a Board of Trustees that presents an Annual Report each September, Victory Boxing is grateful to its supporters and welcomes donations, including through its Shining a Light on Mental Health appeal. Whether for a child, an adult, or a community group, the gym's doors are open to anyone who wants to grow in confidence, fitness and character.
Walk down Vanguard Street in Nelson South and you will find a gym that measures success not in trophies, but in confidence, smiles and young people turning hurdles into strengths. Victory Boxing is a charitable trust that has been part of the Nelson community since 2011, when founder Paul Hampton set up a small boxing programme with a simple aim: to have a positive impact on young kids in the community, teaching them life skills, honesty, respect, determination and to be caring.
Paul Hampton, the trust's Programme Director, began Victory Boxing while he was Deputy Principal at Victory Primary School. The first year saw just 20 children take part, but word travelled fast. In 2013 the programme moved to its current premises at 98 Vanguard Street, and today more than 400 children are registered.
Paul now works full-time for Victory Boxing, ensuring every programme delivers on the core mission of making a positive impact on people's lives. Michèle Perfect joined in March 2021 to provide administrative support to Paul and the Board, and she is in the gym every afternoon to welcome the youth as they arrive for class. Behind them sits a Board of Trustees providing strong governance and leadership, with an AGM each September where the Annual Report and Financial Statements are presented.
Everything Victory Boxing does is underpinned by four core values: Respect, Responsibility, Determination and Caring. The best-known offering is the after-school youth programme, where children learn boxing alongside support and mentorship. One of the organisation's great strengths is its ability to expand to meet the needs of its community — it works alongside many community groups and schools to run programmes during the day, reaching college students and other groups in a supportive environment.
Adults are well catered for too. The adult fitness programme is described as very successful and popular, with well-attended classes, and Victory Boxing also runs dedicated fitness classes for adults with Parkinson's Disease.
Since 2017 the patron of Victory Boxing has been Jeff Rackley, who represented New Zealand as a boxer at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and won numerous national titles. A former Victory Primary School pupil who began boxing training with his father, Jeff volunteers at the gym a few times a week, helping with the after-school classes and sharing his knowledge and passion for the sport.
Volunteers are the backbone of the organisation, and Victory Boxing enjoys a great working relationship with Nelson Police, who come down to the gym and help out whenever possible.
Parents notice the difference. As Nelson parent Tina H shared in May 2019, she has seen her son grow in confidence since he started: the team allow space for the individual to go at a pace that works for them and the group — a fine balancing act — and the confidence and smiles grow week by week as hurdles are turned into strengths.
The work is made possible by valued supporters and sponsors, and visitors can give back too, with online donation appeals such as Shining a Light on Mental Health run through the website.
Victory Boxing is at 98-100 Vanguard Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand. You can call the gym on 027 842 8679 — the number spells 027 VICTORY — send a message via the website's contact page, or follow Victory Boxing Nelson on Facebook for news. Programmes follow school term dates, so it pays to check before a holiday visit: the last adult class of 2025 was scheduled for Friday 19 December at 12:30, with the first of 2026 on Tuesday 13 January at 12:30. Whether you are a parent looking for a values-driven after-school activity, an adult keen to get fit, or someone living with Parkinson's seeking adapted fitness classes, there is a place for you at this Nelson South gym.