Building Champions, Bridging Communities: The Development-Driven Rise of Boxer Athletics Club
In a country as richly diverse and athletically gifted as South Africa, the development of future champions often hinges on more than just talent—it requires vision, opportunity, and tireless commitment.
Boxer Athletics Club (BAC) has taken this challenge head-on, weaving a powerful narrative of grassroots growth, inclusivity, and excellence that is steadily redefining the future of track and road running in South Africa.
With an ever-expanding footprint across multiple provinces, Boxer AC isn’t simply training athletes—it’s nurturing potential in areas where opportunities are scarce but dreams run deep.
From the bustling township of Vosloorus to the rural edges of the Eastern Cape, the club’s development philosophy centres on creating access, building community, and cultivating the kind of resilience that shapes not just athletes, but future leaders.
Vosloorus: Where Legacy and Youth Collide
At the heart of Gauteng’s East Rand, the Mario Training Group in Vosloorus stands as a case study in sustainable development. Operating under the BAC Development umbrella for the past five years, this group has produced a steady pipeline of talent across age divisions—from Under-5 through to Under-23.
This year, their work culminated in a historic moment: four athletes from the group were selected to represent Gauteng at the SA Under-23 Championships in Cape Town. But for Coach Mario and his team, success isn’t solely measured by medals.
“Our mission has always been about giving every child, no matter their background, a space to grow and shine,” he explains.
It’s this ethos that has earned the young athletes their affectionate nickname within the group— ‘Our Stars’.
Boxer AC Border: The Power of Rural Talent
Head east, and the passion for development continues under the stewardship of Simon Ngxeke, Boxer AC’s Border Coordinator and one of the most respected figures in Eastern Cape athletics.
A former Oxford Striders standout turned top-level referee, Ngxeke brings decades of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to transform raw rural talent into competitive excellence.
Since joining BAC in 2023, Ngxeke has focused his efforts on school athletics as a recruitment pipeline, tapping into an often-overlooked reservoir of youth in deeply rural areas. The response has been electric.
Athletes like Image Norayase have become dominant forces in junior 10km races, while Uviwe Simon, Liyema Piyose, and Siyolise Nqam continue to impress with consistent performances at local and provincial levels.
The Border region’s success has been particularly meaningful given its context—90% of the athletes come from remote communities, where basic resources like transport and accommodation for races present significant hurdles.
Yet, against these odds, the region’s athletes continue to clinch podium finishes across multiple age categories, from juniors to masters (35+, 40+, 50+, 60+), and even social running brackets.
Twins, Naba and Nabo Mente, 12, with Coach Simon Border. The twins have shown incredible form at such a young age, recently receiving their Border Colours for Cross Country. Photo: Boxer AC
Among the many rising stars, the 12-year-old twin phenoms Naba and Nabo Mente stand out—not just for receiving Border Colours for cross-country, but for the promise of a future as bright as their stride is smooth.
A National Vision: Unity Through Development
Boxer AC Manager Rhyn Swanepoel sees the development arm not as a side project, but as central to the club’s identity.
“The Boxer AC Junior Team is one of our proudest achievements. To see kids from disadvantaged backgrounds wearing the Boxer kit—it’s magic. These young people aren’t just competing. They’re showing us the future of South African athletics.”
That future is becoming clearer with every passing season. At the 2024 SA Junior Championships, 16 BAC athletes from previously disadvantaged backgrounds (10 boys and 6 girls) competed—some earning medals, all gaining invaluable experience.
Even at the grassroots level, talent continues to bubble up. In November 2024, 12-year-old Carlos Makheseng and 11-year-old Anzel Homan, both from Meyerton in Gauteng, won the 1km dash at the Boxer Super Run in Tshwane. According to Swanepoel, “These two are ones to watch—they have something special.”
Beyond the Podium: Development Hubs with Purpose
Boxer AC’s strength lies not only in individual brilliance but in its structured network of development groups, each serving as a microcosm of what is possible when investment meets inspiration. The club’s reach now includes:
– Phalula Development – Soweto, Diepkloof, Orange Farm
– Ruimsig Group – Johannesburg
– Coach Thulani Sebeko – Boksburg
– Coach Mario Training – Benoni, Vosloorus
– Simon Border – East London Rural & Greater Eastern Cape
The highly talented Phalula Development runners at the recently held CGA Cross Country Championships. Photo: Boxer AC
Together, these hubs form a national tapestry of athlete development, offering coaching, mentorship, and race exposure to athletes who might otherwise be left behind.
Rewriting the Narrative of South African Running
The story of Boxer Athletics Club is not just about producing winners—it’s about democratizing opportunity in a sport often limited by socio-economic divides. It is about creating a platform where talent is the currency and dreams have the space to grow.
As South Africa looks to reignite its legacy on the global athletics stage, clubs like Boxer AC are leading the charge—proof that the future of the sport will not be found only in elite academies or high-performance centres, but also in township streets, rural tracks, and the resilient hearts of young athletes given a chance to run.
