Boxing Coach | Community Mentor | Founder – Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy

Vitale Perez is a dedicated boxing coach and community mentor with over a decade of experience developing athletes and supporting youth through sport. Based in Taumarunui, Vitale is the founder of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA), which he established in 2015 to provide a positive pathway for young people in the community.

Boxing has been a passion for Vitale since his teenage years. After exploring a range of martial arts growing up, he ultimately found his calling in boxing. His vision has always been to use the sport not only to develop skilled athletes but also to build confidence, discipline, resilience, and positive life skills in young people.

Vitale is a registered Boxing New Zealand coach and has been involved in the sport for more than 10 years. He holds several coaching qualifications including:

• AIBA Star 1 International Coaching Accreditation (2018)
• Boxing New Zealand Level 2 Coaching Licence (2017)
• Level 3 Sport Coaching – Skills Active (2021)

Throughout his coaching journey, Vitale has continually sought to expand his knowledge and improve his coaching methods. His dedication to learning and development has allowed him to guide athletes competing at regional, national, and international levels.

Vitale has also had the opportunity to represent New Zealand boxing on the international stage as an assistant coach with the New Zealand team at the King’s Cup in Thailand, gaining valuable experience working alongside elite coaches and athletes.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Vitale’s coaching journey has been seeing local athletes rise to the world stage. Under his guidance, athletes from the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy have achieved international success, including:

• Nikah Perez, who won a world-level medal in 2024, representing New Zealand and showcasing the strength of grassroots boxing development from small communities.
• Kealey Perez, who achieved an outstanding gold medal at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, marking a historic achievement on the international stage.

These achievements reflect the dedication of the athletes, their families, and the strong training environment created through TSBA.

Under Vitale’s leadership, the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy has become an important part of the local sporting community, providing structured training, mentorship, and opportunities for young people to thrive both in and outside of the ring. The academy focuses not only on competitive boxing but also on creating a safe and positive space where rangatahi can build confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging.

Vitale’s coaching philosophy centres on discipline, respect, perseverance, and community, values that align closely with the mission of the Taumarunui Youth and Community Trust to create positive opportunities for rangatahi and strengthen the wider community.

Greg Chester has been a valued part of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA) since its inception in 2015. As one of the academy’s long-standing coaches, Greg has played an important role in helping build the strong culture and supportive training environment that TSBA is known for today.

From the very beginning, Greg has been committed to supporting the vision of creating a positive space where young people can learn the discipline, skill, and values that boxing offers. His dedication, consistency, and willingness to give his time have helped shape the development of many athletes who have come through the academy.

Greg brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to the gym and is highly respected by both athletes and fellow coaches. Known for his calm approach and strong work ethic, he has a natural ability to connect with young boxers and help them build confidence, resilience, and respect both inside and outside of the ring.

Over the years, Greg has worked alongside the coaching team to support athletes at all levels—from beginners learning the fundamentals of boxing through to competitive fighters preparing for tournaments. His ongoing commitment reflects the volunteer spirit that underpins the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy's success.

Greg’s long-standing involvement continues to play an important role in the growth and sustainability of the academy and the opportunities it provides for youth in the Taumarunui community.

Ray Kawau was an important member of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA) coaching team for over seven years. During this time, he played a key role in supporting the development of athletes and contributing to the academy's strong team culture.

Ray’s commitment to the gym goes far beyond the training floor. As a volunteer coach, he dedicates many hours helping athletes refine their boxing skills, improve their fitness, and develop the discipline required to compete in the sport. His passion for helping others succeed has made him a respected mentor within the academy.

Throughout his time with TSBA, Ray has worked closely alongside the coaching team to support athletes at both grassroots and competitive levels. From helping beginners learn the fundamentals of boxing to assisting with preparing fighters for tournaments, his contribution has been invaluable to the growth of the programme. He has also supported athletes by travelling with the team to competitions and events, helping ensure they are well prepared and supported when representing the academy.

Ray’s dedication reflected the strong volunteer spirit that underpins the success of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy. Like many of the coaches involved with TSBA, he gave his time freely to help provide positive opportunities for rangatahi and members of the community.

His involvement strengthened the academy’s mission of using boxing as a vehicle to build confidence, resilience, respect, and teamwork, ensuring young people in Taumarunui have access to a supportive and empowering environment through sport.

Teore Tamehana is a coach at the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA) who has developed his coaching through both practical experience and formal training within the academy environment.

Teore has worked closely alongside Head Coach Vitale Perez, gaining valuable experience supporting athletes through their boxing journey. Through this mentorship and hands-on involvement in training sessions, he has developed strong skills in coaching technique, athlete development, and helping create a positive learning environment for boxers of all levels.

Committed to growing his knowledge in sport and coaching, Teore successfully gained his Level 1 Boxing Coaching Accreditation and has also studied alongside Vitale while completing the Level 3 Sport Coaching – Skills Active qualification (2021). This has helped strengthen his understanding of athlete development, coaching methods, and the wider role sport plays in supporting young people.

Teore plays an important role within the academy by assisting with training sessions, supporting developing athletes, and helping maintain the strong team culture that TSBA is known for. His willingness to learn, develop his coaching skills, and give back to the community reflects the values of the academy and its commitment to building positive pathways for rangatahi through sport.

Through his continued involvement with the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy, Teore contributes to creating a supportive and motivating environment where athletes can grow both inside and outside of the ring.

Shane Te Wiki was part of the coaching team during the early years of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA) and played a valuable role in supporting the academy during its establishment.

In the formative stages of the gym, Shane contributed to coaching sessions and helped build the foundation of the programme alongside the wider coaching team. His involvement supported the development of athletes and assisted in creating a positive training environment for young people in the community.

The early years of any academy are important in shaping its culture and direction, and Shane’s contribution during this time helped support the growth of TSBA as it began establishing itself within the Taumarunui community.

TSBA acknowledges and appreciates the support Shane provided during those early years and the role he played in helping the academy grow into the programme it is today.

Francis Seymour is a valued member of the Taumarunui Silverback Boxing Academy (TSBA) coaching team and has recently achieved his Level 1 Boxing Coaching Accreditation. His commitment to learning and developing his coaching skills has allowed him to take on a greater role within the academy.

Over the past period, Francis has stepped up to assist with training sessions and help cover classes when needed, providing valuable support to both athletes and the wider coaching team. His willingness to contribute wherever required has made him a pivotal part of the academy’s operations.

Francis brings a positive attitude and strong work ethic to the gym, helping create a supportive environment where athletes can build confidence, improve their skills, and continue progressing in the sport of boxing.

Through his growing involvement with TSBA, Francis continues to support the academy’s mission of providing positive opportunities for rangatahi and strengthening the boxing community in Taumarunui.