The recipient of the Kiwibank award is a Youth Guarantee tutor with Salvation Army Education and Employment and is committed and passionate about helping youth in Oamaru.
The scheme is run by the Salvation Army and offers courses for those aged 16 to 19 years old to gain credits and make plans for their future, including getting youth employed in work or enrolled in further training.
They have usually left school early and the courses Mr Cropley offers gives them a pathway into employment.
Mr Cropley's role is much more than teaching. He picks up students each morning to ensure they get to the course and empowers them to be strong on their own, drawing out their skills and talents with encouragement.
Before he moved back to Oamaru about 30 years ago, he was a primary school teacher in the North Island for six years.
"I just like helping out young people and seeing them make positive changes in their lives. It flows on through the families,'' he said.
Three years ago, he launched the Oamaru Boxing Club Waitaki Warriors to continue the success of previous boxers and trainers who have led the way in the sport of boxing over the past century.
"I saw some young people at the gym one day punching a bag totally incorrectly and I said to them, 'You guys need to learn to do that properly.'
And they said, 'Well, why don't you teach us and start a gym?' And so I did,'' Mr Cropley said.
He operates the gym in the garage of his home, and over the past three years he has had at least 100 members come and go.
Some have gone on to become title holders and South Island champions.
"[We're] beating the guys from flash gyms from my garage,'' he said.
Mr Cropley is a fully qualified coach, after fighting. He trained at an amateur level when he was younger but stopped to focus on family.
Boxing was a great outlet for young people to build confidence and have an outlet to let off some steam.
"They become a part of the club and feel a sense of belonging. It's just like a big family unit,'' he said.
Mr Cropley is also a trustee of the Te Whare Koa marae.
