HE USUALLY heads up a team of detectives, but one local policeman will trade the uniform and don the gloves for a good cause.
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New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty is stepping into the boxing ring in the name of PCYC and NSW Police Legacy.
He’ll be one of 28 competitors – 26 of whom are police – who will fight in the NSW Police Boxing Gala Night at the end of the month.
And his training regime includes padding up with some of his biggest supporters at the local Nanyapura boxing program in Armidale – a program that sees young kids box local police and community members three times-a-week at the Armidale PCYC.
“This is all for the kids. When I first saw that boxing program start up, I saw how good it was at getting the kids to interact with positive role models, and I knew the gala fight was coming up and that raises money for the PCYC,” Matt told Fairfax Media.
The Armidale-based detective has been stationed in the town for 11 years.
Fairfax Media joined Matt for a training session this week where he not only put some of the kids in the Nanyapura program through their paces, but worked up a sweat himself.
“Seeing the kids pick themselves up, sometimes out of bad situations and get on the right track, that inspired me, so in turn I wanted to inspire them,” he said.
“So I wanted to raise money for them and hopefully inspire them, so this is all about the kids, it’s not about me.
This is all about the kids, it’s not about me.
- Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty
“They’re the braves ones that are doing this and sometimes doing it tough and making themselves better, I’m just in a position where hopefully I can help them.”
The November 29 event boasts a 14-fight card, and Matt’s not taking it lightly.
There’s been months of preparation and training, much of which has ramped up in the last few weeks.
A keen boxer, it won’t be an easy fight. Matt is set to take on fellow officer, Shane Pifferi, over three rounds – as part of the amateur boxing rules.
“It will be a tough fight, he's an experienced veteran, he's had a number of fights and is on a winning streak,” Matt said.
The gala night is in its 5th year and has raised more than $300,000 for both NSW Police Legacy and PCYC.
- To donate, head to policeboxing2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/MattCrotty