Heavy weight boxing champion Solomon Haumono, Martial Arts Fighter Mikey Vaotuua, international rugby union player Iva Motusuga shared their stories with young Nyngan locals. 

Athletes from Impact Power Up Sports visited the church as part of their “Beyond the Gainline” tour on 28 October to meet and greet locals.  

Pastor Michael Dutschke helped organise the event and said there was about 45 people who attended. 

“We had Pastor Mark Horan and the three sportsperson on stage doing an interview.  

Pastor Mark Horan accompanied the sportsmen from to the event to foster the link between youth and positive sports role models.

“The youth asked them how life has been and about their sporting experience.

“The athletes shared that they had come from broken homes, they didn’t know where they fit in even though they were good athletes,” Pastor Dutschke said.

“They said they had an encounter with god and went from there … they came out to encourage the kids on their journey.”

The group from The Shed Boxing Club gave us feedback, they thought it was great and wanted them to come back again.

“Troy was pretty wrapped, he’s been following them most of his life and it was great to catch up with them in person,” Pastor Dutschke said. 

The Shed Boxing Club Owner Troy Richards said the group enjoyed the visit to the church and a BBQ.

“We had kids and adults and they were all talking about what they had done and their life experiences,” Mr Richards said. 

“It was good for them, they were a lot of young ones who … knew they were famous it was good they had a yarn with them.

“It’s very encouraging and just sort of reassures them that there’s other people out there doing the same sort of thing.”

Mr Richards said it was important for young people to have positive role models.

He said the Shed Boxing Club has become more than just a place to learn how to box.

“I teach boxing, amateur boxers, but it’s become like Nyngan’s youth centre in a lot of ways,” Mr Richards said.

“It’s somewhere the kids can go that doesn’t cost money.

“Young kids and teenagers and adults can come and do fitness and boxing and learn about discipline and that sort of thing.” 

He said overall the group enjoyed the experience and it was good for them to be involved and hear other people’s stories. 

“I think they got a fair bit out of it,” Mr Richards said.