Fight 4 Youth: Gold Coast teen Jaymee-Lee Cartwright fights troubles using boxing and mentor Leisa J Logan

From battling bullies and confidence issues, to an opponent in the ring. Gold Coast teenager Jaymee-Lee Cartwright shares how a mentor, a youth centre and boxing has changed her life.

JAYMEE-LEE Cartwright felt alone a few short years ago. She dreaded school, where she would be bullied and struggle in class.

The shy child found the courage to reach out to the Caningeraba State School chaplain Leisa J Logan, a woman renowned for dealing with children feeling down and out. The pair started playing card games and soon enough the softly spoken voice of the then Grade 5 student got louder in Ms Logan’s ear.

The bond eventually led to Jaymee-Lee attending boxing classes at Ms Logan’s youth centre Fight 4 Youth at Currumbin.

Fight 4 Youth founder Leisa J Logan gives instruction to Jaymee-Lee Cartwright, 14, in the ring. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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Fast forward four years and that once struggling, vulnerable 10-year-old girl is full of confidence and self-belief.

“I used to be scared to walk the street and had no body confidence but since being here and learning to fight it’s helped me a lot,” Jaymee-Lee, 14, says.

“I’ve lost so much weight and have a lot more friends around the gym and at school.

“There’s one old fella I call ‘Champ’ because he reminds me of a champ.

Jaymee-Lee Cartwright has rebuilt her confidence thanks to boxing and Fight 4 Youth founder Leisa J Logan. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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“There’s no one I’m not close with here because I no longer feel like I don’t belong.”

While she now has friends in her corner, the Varsity College student says schoolmates still cannot relate to her love of boxing.

“I’ve realised most chicks don’t really like fighting, but I do, so I’ll keep doing it.

“We have been taught not to fight outside the ring and the risks involved if we use violence.

“School is way better. If something is bad, I will just confront it and talk to someone.”

Like any impressionable teen, Jaymee-Lee has found role models in Ms Logan and Gold Coast MMA fighter Chelsea Hackett.

Jaymee-Lee Cartwright and mentor Leisa J Logan have set a goal for the teen to fight in the ring in October. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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“I made a promise last year with Lisa to have a fight in October, since then I’ve been training,” Jaymee-Lee says.

“Chelsea encourages me a lot when I watch her fights and her stories on Instagram.

“She never complains and always looks at the positives.

“I want to be known, and I want Fight 4 Youth to be known.

“I’d love to be on TV and share what Fight 4 Youth has done for me and others.”

Like many of the kids Ms Logan works with, she is proud of the person Jaymee-Lee has become.

The youth worker started the centre in 2015 after her passion for helping struggling kids provided her an opportunity.

“I was working at the Currumbin State School and was known as the boxing lady,” Ms Logan says.

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“When kids used to get in trouble, I’d take them out of class and instead of telling them what they did wrong, I’d have a conversation with them while doing some boxing.

“It usually gave them an outlet to get frustration out and talk about anything that’s happening, like at home or away from the classroom.”

After taking students for boxing programs at the local PCYC, children wanted to work with Ms Logan outside of school hours.

The 47-year-old opened her facility — which offers boxing, dancing, counselling and other programs — to help disadvantaged children from ages four onwards.

Fight 4 Youth provide classes for struggling youth to help empower them, strengthen relationships and inspire respect for self and others. Members of Fight 4 Youth. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Hundreds of kids facing adversity, from disability to broken homes, have come through the centre’s doors. Today, 20 volunteer staff care for around 150 kids.

Although her business model of paying for kids who can’t pay themselves is generous, it’s causing problems for the detention centre worker.

“I currently can’t work because I live in the bubble just outside the border, so I can’t travel to Brisbane,” Ms Logan said.

“I’m not making any money and I pay for everything at the centre.

“We have no sponsors, but we do have DGR status, so anyone who wants to sponsor us and the children here, feel free to sponsor a child from your own community.”