MTGP has been able to form long term relationships with several of the attendees that have lasted since the formation of MTGP in 2008. This has been enhanced through the introduction of the MTGP Community Leagues. Team members have been seen to mature throughout the years with their confidence and self esteem levels growing significantly.
Coaches highlight the benefits of regular exercise combined with a reduction in alcohol and drug use as a positive life choice. Many of the attendees have adopted these principals and now benefit from increased fitness and wellbeing levels. Unfortunately several attendees are unable to afford the costs associated with joining an established gym or were fearful of being attacked by another gang if outwith their normal area.
MTGP with the assistance of South Lanarkshire Choose Life and partners were able to offer a free gym pass, valid for 1 year, to 20 of the older attendees, aged 19-43 in an effort to encourage them to keep fit on a regular basis.
These individuals were well known to local police when they first attended MTGP but have since drastically reduced their offending behaviour. Some attendees are now regularly attending a gym or fitness classes 3-4 times per week. One attendee has now become an amateur boxer and has won his first 3 fights.
The gym passes have proved so successful that with the assistance of partners MTGP is able to offer free admission passes to all health and fitness establishments operated by South Lanarkshire Leisure for an 8 week period to numerous attendees over the previous years. The passes continue to prove extremely popular and effective in encouraging hard to reach individuals from vulnerable communities to increase their health and fitness levels.
Testimonies
The following are an example of the many testimonies received by MTGP from attendees who utilised the free gym passes:-
Amazing, thanks for the gym memberships. Will get us fitter for the community league. No one will beat us… ha ha…. Chris (22)
The gym passes have proved to be brilliant. I have managed to lose 2 stone in weight and I have taken up boxing at amateur level. My dad was an amateur boxing champion and has tried several times to get me to go. If it wasn’t for the Moving the Goalposts coaches taking an interest in all of us I would not have started. As I got fitter my confidence grew. I’ve now had 3 amateur fights and won all of them. I’ve achieved far more than I thought I could because of them. Thanks lads. Kieran (18)
I am going to the gym every week and I’m also back playing football and training twice a week. I feel so much fitter and enjoying myself at the same time. Mark (20)
Moving The Goalposts 