The South Auckland academy helping kids unlock their potential

An Ōtara strength and conditioning facility for children is helping those aged 8 to 16 build their skills and fitness.

Owner Louis Papali’i opened the EK Academy after he noticed many kids did not have access to physical training instructors and sports coaches.

Papali’i, who has a background in rugby, said he always had a passion for helping the next generation of athletes.

“Ever since I played rugby league, I've always been coaching kids.”

He said he wanted to give children the same pathways adults have access to.

“If we can start at the very youngest, I just feel that they have better opportunities growing up.”

Fourteen-year-old Vaughn, who helps with the younger kids, said that because of the training he is learning to be independent.

“I've learned to always stay disciplined and know when to train on your own and always have the responsibility to improve on yourself.”

Vaughn said the gym had also allowed him to make new connections.

“Coming to this gym has allowed me to meet a lot of new people that I thought I would never meet.”

Parents had questions about the safety of kids working out at such a young age, said Papali’i.

However, he said sessions were adjusted to a child’s ability.

“I know my daughter's level. When she was seven she could pick up what I was coaching over here.”

Eight-year-old Katana, the daughter of Papali’i, said training was fun.

“I like being at the gym because my dad owns it and because I'm getting stronger.”

Papali’i said he had seen firsthand as a coach that what he was teaching kids was not dangerous.

“It just depends how you look after them, and how you take care of them. I also don't try to put 6-year-olds with 10-year-olds.”

One of the most positive things he has seen coaching is how happy the kids are and how comfortable they are in the sessions.

Many of the girls seem to take a liking to lifting weights,  he said.

“My favourite exercise to do is deadlifts," said 9-year-old Tiare.

Ten-year-old Veve also said deadlifts were the best.

“My favourite exercise is deadlifts because I can deadlift the most here. I can deadlift 80kgs.”

Papali’i said he was also trying to negotiate with primary schools about joinging the programme.

“It's about trying to convince them, hey, I want to help you guys. I want to help our kids.”

However, Papali’i said that some schools were a bit hesitant.

“Some of them might feel like we don't have time for that, cause we're trying to teach our kids other things. I'm like, this is important too. This is really important.”

Papali’i’s goal now is to reach as many kids in as many schools as he can.

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AI was not used in the creation of this story.