Four of the best up and coming indigenous amateur boxers in Australia have been named today in a final squad for the Australian Sports Commission’s National Talent Identification and Development Program (NTID).

20 top indigenous boxers from across Australia took part recently in a week-long training camp for the NTID program which aims to develop best athletic talent towards possible selection for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and 2012 London Olympics.

The 20 indigenous boxers were put to the test at the NTID training camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) which involved testing and development, sparring sessions, physiological screenings, nutritional education and fitness work.

General Manager of the ASC’s NTID program Dr Jason Gulbin came away impressed by the talent and potential of the 20 indigenous boxers taking part in the NTID camp.

‘It’s great to see a number of talented indigenous boxers from across Australia taking part in the NTID program and progressing through the elite pathways,’ Dr Gulbin said.

‘The NTID initiative is starting to pay dividends with a number of talented indigenous boxers like Luke Boyd and Cameron Hammond coming through the ranks.’

‘It provides an effective pathway for emerging athletic talent to achieve their best in their chosen sports backed by AIS coaching and sports science expertise,’ Dr Gulbin said.

NTID indigenous boxing squad includes:

• Wayde Goltz, Rockhampton, Queensland
• Fred Capes, Brisbane
• Abe Archibald, Guyra, New South Wales
• Cameron Hammond, Moree, New South Wales

Each year, over 8000 athletes from more than 300 teams visit the AIS in Canberra for a sports camp. These include national representative teams, professional sporting teams and visiting teams from high schools and other sporting groups and clubs.