How BoxSmart is Building Stronger Kids – and Communities – on the Northern Beaches

You know those people who just instantly feel like the real deal? That’s Danny Kennedy.

A former pro boxer who grew up on a council estate in the UK, Danny doesn’t just teach kids how to throw a punch, he teaches them how to stand tall in life. Now living in Dee Why, this dad of two is the driving force behind BoxSmart, a non-contact boxing studio that’s just as much about community and confidence as it is about fitness.

“I started boxing when I was 12,” Danny tells YOU Magazine. “It kept me on the straight and narrow. I’ve always had an addictive personality, and for a while, getting into trouble was the thing I was addicted to. But I ended up swapping that for training three times a week at the gym. It gave me discipline and self-respect. Honestly, it changed the course of my life.”

Fast-forward a few decades and that same energy and focus now lives at BoxSmart - a Dee Why boxing studio that welcomes kids, teens, and even parents to experience the power of boxing without ever having to get hit.

“We can’t all be champions, but we can train like one,” Danny says. “Not everyone will win all the titles - I didn’t - but what matters is the mindset, the effort, and the consistency you bring. That’s what we focus on here.”

It’s easy to see BoxSmart is more than just a place to burn off energy. It’s a place where young people start believing in themselves, often for the first time. “The kids that come through our doors are all kinds, five-year-olds full of energy, teens struggling with confidence or bullying, kids who don’t fit in at school or just need an outlet,” he says. “They leave with way more than just boxing skills. They walk out with self-belief.”

And the magic of BoxSmart isn’t just in the workouts - it’s in the way Danny and his team create a space that’s equal parts empowering and welcoming.

“We keep it real and consistent,” he says. “Discipline and respect aren’t just rules here, they’re woven into everything we do. From how we coach to how we speak to the kids, and how we expect them to treat each other. It’s about listening, turning up on time, encouraging your teammates, pushing through when it gets hard. And the best part? Once they realise we believe in them, they start to believe in themselves.”

BoxSmart is non-contact by design, and that’s a game changer. “We give kids all the benefits of boxing including confidence, focus, fitness, without the fear of getting hit. It makes it safer, more accessible, and way less intimidating. It also means we can really focus on the foundations, think footwork, strategy, technique, without rushing. It builds resilience, not aggression. And that’s what makes it empowering.”

Danny has seen plenty of transformations in the studio. Kids who walked in anxious, withdrawn, or having been bullied, slowly start to shift. “We’ve had kids come in after being bullied, and boxing has really helped them find their inner strength. Not to fight back, but to carry themselves differently. To feel more in control. It’s honestly amazing to watch.”

The vibe is structured but supportive and the focus is always on lifting each other up. “Some kids have never had anyone really believe in them before. So when they do, it changes everything. That’s when discipline stops being something we teach — and becomes something they carry.”

And it’s not just for kids. One of Danny’s newest programs is called Stronger Together, parent and child sessions that bring families into the gym to train side by side. “It’s all about bonding, movement, and building confidence together. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent or carer, there’s something powerful about doing it side by side.”

With school holiday programs launching, plans to bring BoxSmart into local schools, and more advanced teen classes in the works, things are only just getting started. “We’re growing in a way that stays true to what we believe in. Meeting kids where they’re at, giving them something they can be proud to be part of, whether that’s in the gym, at school, or at home.”

So what does Danny hope the kids take with them? “I hope they remember what it felt like to be believed in, even when they didn’t believe in themselves. Not just the boxing combos or the training, but the confidence and the sense of belonging. I want them to walk away standing a little taller, knowing they can handle whatever life throws at them.”

And yep, we had to ask - who’s your favourite boxer?

“Sugar Ray Leonard. Without a doubt. He had that perfect mix of skill, speed and showmanship, but it was his mindset that made him stand out. He showed boxing isn’t just about power - it’s about heart, discipline, strategy. That’s the kind of boxing I admire, and the kind of mindset I try to pass on to my students.”

And if he could give 12-year-old Danny one piece of advice? “Do well at school, always be respectful, and dream big. Because with hard work and belief - anything’s possible.”

BoxSmart is located in Dee Why and runs classes for kids, teens, and adults. To learn more or to book a class, visit boxsmart.com.au

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