James Swan reflects on his career and his time at Gap Youth and Community Centre for their 40th anniversary.
“It took a lot of kids off the street, most of the time they would be doing crime, I think, mostly through boredom.”
James Swan is one of Australia’s more decorated boxers and an icon of indigenous boxing. James Swan won bronze medals at the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games and represented Australia in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
Growing up James spent a lot of time at GAP Youth Centre. James even got his start in boxing at GAP Youth Centre under the watchful eye of Graham Ross.
When interviewed for the 40th anniversary celebrations James said, “It took a lot of kids off the street, most of the time they would be doing crime, I think mostly through boredom. With old uncle Graham Ross we use to go camping a lot and shooting and I think that’s what used to keep my mind occupied, to be more in control of my emotions.”
