A GROUP of South Pacific boxers have praised facilities at Kendal Dojo as they returned home after a five-week Pre-Olympic training camp.

The team from Nauru were overwhelmed by the equipment and training techniques on offer as they were put through their paces by former Team GB boxing performance director Ian Irwin.

Super heavyweight Jake Ageidu, 25, said he was truly fit for the first time in his life, while featherweight DJ Maaki added: “The Dojo offers something we just don’t get back home.”

During their time in Kendal, the group visited various boxing clubs while Mr Irwin, along with Dojo coaches Mike Liptrot and Barry Hereward gave them a rigorous workout which saw them take up rope-climbing, running up Scout Scar, doing weIght lifting exercises with rocks and even competing against top boxers from the North West.

Before leaving Kendal, the group told chairman Peter Holme they were able to return to Nauru with renewed hopes of qualifying for London 2012 and a real belief their Olympic dream can come true.

Head coach Mike Liptrot said the club has really benefited from the experience too as they gear up for a busy pre-Olympic schedule.

He said: “I think the club is more than happy with the way the camp went and we have had great feedback from the athletes, Ian Irwin and the North West Development Agency.

“We are looking to the future and hope the Nauruans can come back and qualify for the Olympics, but it was certainly a great benefit to us in preparing for next summer.”

Mr Liptrot said that while the camp was very positive for everyone involved, the club would need more volunteers to cope.

“We asked for feedback about anything to work on and nothing was flagged up, but we realise that with the camp being short notice we could do with more volunteers.

“For us now though, we know the Olympic Games are coming, teams will come here and it will be a very exciting place to be.”