Swiftys

It was a recognition of all his hard work as Swift Current Friendship Centre Boxing Club coach Robert Hattum was named Coach and Volunteer of the Year in the 2013 Swifty's.

"It meant a lot actually," he said. "Five years I've put into coaching and working into the community has started to pay off. People are realizing that I'm doing a good job."

Hattum noted recognition makes it a little easier to make some of the sacrifices he has to make.

"My wife Michelle and my boys," he said. "She puts a lot with me going to boxing tournaments. I'm also on the board of directors for Sask Boxing. I'm away from home a lot and she puts up with a lot of that."

"It's nice to show her that all this hard work is paying off."

Hattum sees boxing as a great sport for young people in many different ways.

"It has the cardio, discipline..." he said. "I've had a few kids that I get told they have a bad attitude. They come to boxing and (teachers) tell me he's improved, he's barely grumpy now he's in good spirits."

Hattum started coaching five years ago working with the late Earl Monkman. He noted he learned from Earl about how the little things can make a difference in someone's life.