A NEW passion amongst local children has risen, and it’s gotten them fired up.

Thanks to Aaron Bamblett’s six-week boxing program for Indigenous kids in the community, young ones are now expanding their horizons on how to keep active after school.

The program has had a positive turnout for its first run with 20-plus children in attendance and absolutely excited about the sport.

Program organiser and training in boxing himself, Mr Bamblett said the aim of the program is to engage kids in sport, with a focus on kids that haven't been involved much in football, basketball or netball.

“I had a few people who approached me about getting their kids into boxing, so I thought we'd run a six-week program, build their skills up and then whichever kids want to continue with after that, me and Gary (King, the Portland Boxing Club’s coach) will sit down and pick out a program,” he said.

“A lot of people had seen my daughter training and asked me about it, so I’d seen a gap in that space, and I thought I'll run a program.

“I walked in on the first night and there were 20-plus kids, and it just blew me away.

“I was only expecting at least 10 to 15, not even.

“The biggest night we've had is 26, and any kid that came we're going to give a certificate to.”

The program began on September 20, sessions running each Tuesday and Thursday until October 27, when the six weeks are up.

Hosted at the Portland Boxing Club, kids of a variety of ages have been learning non-contact basic footwork and hand skills, while having plenty of fun.

By the end of the six weeks, there will be a presentation where children will receive a certificate, and a skill session where parents are invited to watch their kids demonstrate the techniques and skills they have learnt.

The program has been supported by many sponsors, including Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service, Portland Bike and Skate, Voyage Surf, Ski & Skate, Prominence Salon, and Compleat Angler Portland.

These sponsors were a help in providing store vouchers for the program’s weekly prizes for kids who show great improvement.