Boxing: Boxer set to Stemp down his style at Craigroyston

A LACK of discipline is an all-too-common criticism of football teams but is one unlikely to be levelled at Craigroyston Boys' Club's under-17 outfit as they kick off the 2010/11 season under the tutelage of a former British Army soldier and professional boxer.

Gareth Stemp, holder of those two titles, will lead his charges into a battle for promotion from the Lothian Buses plc South East Region Youth FA under-17 Division 2, but the challenge for the 25-year-old ex-soldier extends to far outwith the rough and tumble of the football pitch.

Having grown up in the Edinburgh district of Wester Hailes before entering the regimented environs of a successful boxing career and life in the Army, Stemp is only too aware of the perils that can face idle young people today.

"They're at such a delicate age," he says of his squad. "If they're not playing football, there's a chance they may get into drugs.

"Many of the boys will go out drinking before games, and you'll never stop that, but what I will try to get through to them is that I never did anything in boxing until I went into the Army and applied myself."

Stemp is a former Capital youth football player himself, having turned out for Glenpark, Tall Oaks and Gorgie Vale as a youngster.

He showed greater promise as a pugilist, however, and stopped playing football to dedicate more time to boxing. Now, though, he is delighted to be back involved in the game and speaks enthusiastically about how the young members of his Craigroyston squad will together form a potent outfit this year.

"We're close to having a good team, and I know our fitness will pay off.

"We have an entirely new team, but we're just three players short of where I'd like us to be. I can't wait now for next season, but I'm nervous at having my own team for the first time," he admits.

If apprehensiveness has blurred his outlook of the forthcoming campaign, Stemp will look to imbue his young players with the strong will and fearlessness that has characterised his own boxing career.

Stemp was a UK boxing champion during his Army days and turned professional upon his return to the civilian world. With no lack of sporting experience and success to fall back on as he attempts to inspire the group of footballers just nine years his junior, he identifies one single title win during his amateur days — the Scottish featherweight championship — as inspiration for any budding sportsman to draw from.

"I was underdog in every single fight all the way through, but ended up winning it quite convincingly. I beat the reigning champion, and in another fight I was written off after being knocked to the canvas but got back up to win. That's an attitude I'll try to pass on to the boys — never to have fear, and that fitness is a big part of being successful."

Prior to football's typically gruelling pre-season workout, Stemp positively glows at the prospect of running his squad hard, as if adrenaline is already pumping through his body at the thought of reliving the build-up to a big boxing bout or a satisfying Army endurance test. "I'll be in my element with all the fitness work," he says.

And his sprightly 16-year-olds can banish the stereotype of being able to outpace a career-hardened, weary-legged gaffer who soon into the first session opts merely to bellow encouragement; Stemp currently trains as a boxing pro twice a week in Glasgow and uses every other day to post a session in his hometown at the Holyrood boxing club. While away from football, he still harbours heady career ambitions of his own, Stemp's aim in his role with the Silverknowes-based youth squad is somewhat more modest.

"In two years' time, I'd like to see these boys continuing to play football," he says. "You're never going to stop young laddies drinking.

"I would like us to get some silverware but that's just a bonus. The aim, though, is to keep them in football. If I can get them playing in a team I'd get a lot of self-satisfaction from that."

Gareth, his co-coach Chris Graham, and the Craigroyston under-17 squad are looking for players in all positions for the forthcoming Division 2 season, with the emphasis on attracting players with a committed attitude who are keen to play regularly.

In addition, the club continues its search for sponsors after tying up a deal with Unison for branding of their home shirts. To find out more on playing for or sponsoring the team, call Gareth on 0788 969 1791.