Young people will return to their schools with national boxing awards under their arms after completing a summer camp at a boxing club in Queen’s Park.
A group of 18 youngsters, aged 10 to 17, trained at the All Stars gym in Harrow Road, for three weeks to learn the basics of non-contact moves.
Their hard work saw them sail through an assessment by top national coach Quinton Shillingford, who presented them with their awards last week.
Mr Shillingford, an advanced coach for the Amateur Boxing Association of England, praised the gym’s programme.
“It burns up their youthful energy and it teaches them commitment, dedication and respect,” he said.
“What I like is how well-behaved they were. They were very well trained and their technique was absolutely brilliant.”
The gym was delivering the Great Britain National Boxing Awards programme for the first time and the group picked up a non-contact preliminary award.
They can progress to further non-contact awards while learning more boxing moves before stepping into the ring and onto contact boxing awards.
Nicky Darroux Henry, 13, was named best female boxer while 17-year-old David Stout won the male award.
Gym manager Stewart Nubley said: “I think it’s fantastic. They’re already asking when we’re doing it again.”
The gym will now put on a camp for the standard award during the October half-term.
The youngsters’ participation was funded by charity Sporting Hearts.
To join the gym visit www.allstars-gym.co.uk or for more information on the awards, go to www.boxingawards.co.uk.
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