ANDRE Reyes Dangaard, 40, of Wentworthville is the Filipino-Australian community’s latest contribution to boxing in Australia.
MARILIE BOMEDIANO
A gardener by trade, Dangaard holds weekly boxing classes at two western Sydney venues: the Parramatta and Auburn Police-Community Youth Clubs.
He became interested in boxing when he joined a class in Canberra Police-Citizens Youth Club in 1997.
“I became fascinated with with boxing because it instilled discipline, strength and resiliency in me,” Dangaard said.
“Growing up in the Philippines, in typical situations these were the exact and minimum traits you needed to come out and become successful.
“You couldn’t be soft and sheltered.
“You had to get up and do it for yourself, otherwise you would fall behind.
“I enjoyed the challenge.
“I think it’s in our blood as Filipinos to survive from tough situations.”
Dangaard’s day job is working as a gardener of Hills Shire Council at Baulkam Hills.
He is a native of San Juan, Rizal, in the Philippines.
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ANDRE DANGAARD, left, doing the pads with one of his students at Auburn PCYC. Photo: MARILIE BOMEDIANO
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