Three Paeroa youths have been offered the experience of a lifetime, but their fight isn’t over yet.
Codey Keane, Arlo Rakai and Nick Taylor were recently selected for the World Kickboxing Association New Zealand team. They are heading to Sheffield, England, and Carrara, Italy, for the 2025 world championships – if they can raise $35,000.
The 16- and 17-year-olds are from Ngā Tama Toa, a small martial arts club in Paeroa. For more than two years they’ve been training under Hemi Keelan, and they credit the coach and the club for helping them achieve things they’d never dreamed of.
“[The club is] basically keeping me on the straight and narrow… Keeping me out of jail,” Arlo said.
“Gives us a chance to turn our lives around as well,” Nick added.
Training is five days a week, covering general fitness, core strength, sparring and technique across a variety of martial arts including muay thai and K1 kickboxing. And Hemi makes sure to nurture the youths’ wellbeing as well as their fitness.
“Everyone’s like a family here, it’s amazing. No one’s left out of anything,” Codey said.
Their places as representatives on the New Zealand team come with a hefty price tag, which will cover expenses including accommodation, travel, gear and entry fees for the two-week trip. But the boys, who have never even been on a plane before, are determined to raise the money.
“It’s a surreal experience, you know?” they said.
“Just being able to actually get to travel, being able to fight for your country, it feels real good.”
The club has until the end of September to raise the funds.
They have already run a number of fundraising events, including a bake sale and raffles. On August 9 and 10 they are holding a car wash beside Scotty’s Tyres on Normanby Rd, Paeroa, and a silent auction event is scheduled for September 6 at the Paeroa Memorial Hall.
There are also plans to run another fundraising fight on September 13 at Hikutaia School Hall.
“It is a lot of money in a short amount of time, but we’re just going to do our best,” the trio said.
Hemi said the club would do everything it could to get the boys there.
“[It’s] super exciting because these boys didn’t even have a passport and none of them ever thought they would get to this sort of recognition,” he said.
“I’m really really proud of these young fellas.
“They’ve come a long way.”
DETAILS: Visit www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/from-grass-roots-to-greatness to donate, or contact Hemi, Ph 021 161 5003 or email waihimuaythai@gmail.com, to donate or enquire about sponsorship.
