Boxing champions Paddy Barnes, Marc McCullough and Carly McNaul visited the facility to launch the new six-week, non-contact boxing course for young men and female prisoners, hosted by the Ulster Boxing Council and Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) in partnership with the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Structured workouts for all fitness abilities will include pad-work, stance, footwork, and other boxing techniques, with professional advice on diet and nutrition, mindfulness and mental health.

Austin Treacy, director of prisons, said: “This new programme with the Ulster and Irish Boxing bodies will be fast and fun and help us support the young men and women in our care.

“In addition to building physical strength, boxing can help to make you feel more powerful mentally and give you the fighting spirit to deal with any of life’s more challenging situations. Boxing can also instil a sense of achievement which builds confidence and self-esteem.”

Olympic and Commonwealth gold medal winning boxer Paddy Barnes said: “Boxing has kept me on the straight and narrow. It’s my life and has helped me greatly and made me the person I am today. I’ve made friends all around the world through boxing. Without boxing God knows where I would have ended up.”

Ulster, Ireland and Commonwealth champion boxer Carly McNaul said: “Going to a boxing club gave me something to focus on, a place to go to get away from bad choices in life and the wrong crowds. Now, 15 years later, I’m hoping to go to the Olympic Games.”

Charlie Toland of the Ulster Boxing Council added: “If we can become a channel where young people walk through the door and not want to offend or take drugs, then ultimately this is what we hope to achieve.”