Written & Photographed by Russ Benning
“Movement is medicine.”
Quote of the month brought to you by our special featured guest; Jacqui Noske, founder of Against the Ropes Boxing gym.
As soon as it came out of her mouth I knew it was going to be the intro and main theme of this article. It’s so succinct and provides such a simple (not easy) answer to so many of our human ailments.
I know in my personal life, when I start to feel a bit ‘off’, I can usually track it back to not having done any exercise lately. I can be staring at a blank screen for days trying to ‘force’ creativity which of course pushes it further away.
Switch gears, sweat it out and I ‘magically’ have the answers and flow I was lacking.
We’ll focus today, mostly on Jacqui and her two eldest boys—Abdullah (Abs) (19) and Khaled (16) as they’re the ones I spent the most time with and have the most to do with running the gym.
There are four other children that make up the family unit, each helping with the business in varying degrees.
The first part of the meeting is a tour of the premises.
As we pass by the different sections, Jacqui tells of the humble origins and how they led to the space as it is currently.
“We came here (Hervey Bay) with nothing. It was just me in the car with the kids and the dog.
After a brief stint volunteering with the PCYC boxing program which was promptly shut down due to Covid, she decided to create Against the Ropes (ATR) which started in a simple shed in Kal’ang (2021).
“When life puts you up against the ropes, figure out how to get out of it. This is true in both life and the world of boxing.”
Jacqui explains the origin of the name.
“You learn the skills, how to get off the ropes so you don’t stay there, and how to avoid getting put there in the first place.”
Having moved to the upstairs PCYC in 2022, clues to the incremental nature of the evolution included a chained hoist holding several car tyres.
We joke about it looking like a prop from a Rocky movie and she shares that they had to make do before they had the resources to kit out the impressive setup boasted today.
We conclude the tour and take a seat near the main ring.
The conversation doesn’t skip a beat. If anything there is a surplus of information and I find myself needing to slow things down and get clarity on events. It seems each time I do, there is a hydra effect with each tangent worthy of its own article.
Boxing is in the blood for Jacqui and her family.
“I’ve been training and teaching since I could walk, pretty much.”
She casually speaks into her origins back in the Northern Territory and how her own hard work and training placed her at the Sydney Olympics supporting her team. There, she experienced an incredibly rare opportunity to meet some of the boxing greats including Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield.
Identifying early in her career that a holistic approach would be a significant advantage, she goes on to add health science, herbalism and nutrition to her toolkit alongside her Australian and International boxing qualifications. I’m learning not just about her story but who she is as a person.
Her unquestionable work ethic is something she’s passionate about bringing into the world especially for the youth.
We speak in length (and actually continue to return to this theme many times throughout our time together) about the monumental positive impact boxing can have on troubled youth in particular.
She goes on to share that kids that come from violent backgrounds have a lot of rage and they just want to fight and take it out on someone.
Boxing teaches them to channel this energy in a healthy way.
It teaches them to control their emotions. It teaches them discipline, restraint and self-regulation. It gives them confidence.
Most of all it gives them a place where they belong. A peer group and mentors to look up to.
“I do believe there’s some incredible kids in the bay, they just need a little bit of guidance and a little bit of time. That’s all it is. Nine out of ten kids wouldn’t end up in the wrong crowd if they had the right environments.”
The conversation moves more to the boys and their role in the gym.
You might be starting to get the picture that no free passes are given in this family or at ATR. Here, you must EARN your respect.
With the expert guidance and coaching of Jacqui’s vast experience, the boys both reached elite status extremely quickly.
From what I could gather, Abs being the oldest had to earn his stripes first and then pass that down the chain.
He was the first win state and national titles, train at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and travel abroad with the elite team.
Having the mentorship and frustratingly difficult sparring partner of Abs as an advantage, Khaled is the current Australian Champion for his class and ranked #3 in the country.
Both brothers are softly spoken and young men of few words. It seems they’re comfortable letting their actions do their talking.
“Eventually the goal is to turn pro yeah.”
Says Khaled, before going on to explain that Olympic Gold is the next goal.
Already training all over the county including the AIS in Canberra, I have no doubt this is a blueprint, not a whimsical wish.
Jacqui is quick to point out that the titles aren’t nearly as important as the proof. This proves they have a winning method in the gym.
Returning to the troubled youth situation, she shares that all the juniors look up to the boys with absolute adoration and respect. Again, not given but earned. Some of the kids are skeptical at first, then once they see Abs and Khaled train they quickly shift to seeing them as role models.
Jacqui shares how the boys’ story gives hope.
“Just goes to show that it’s possible and you can do anything with your life.
“Even if they don’t want to do boxing, the message is clear that if you work hard you can achieve what you want.” So not just for boxing per se, but a work ethic.
“The lessons you learn through training—discipline, hard work—that recipe you can transfer that to whatever you want.
“At the end of the day we’re just trying to build better people.”
Movement is medicine!
So too is discipline, hard work and an inclusive environment.
Against the Ropes Boxing Gym is located on the top floor of the Hervey Bay PCYC and offers many classes daily.
Head to www.againsttheropes.com.au for more info.