BOXING DEMONSTRATION PROVESTO BE A REAL KNOCKOUT

For in addition to getting very fit, they learned that boxing requires discipline, patience and lots of practice.

And the noble art was invaluable in keeping young people “on the tracks”. It also encouraged self-esteem and respect for other people.

Four young members of the St George Amateur Boxing Club, based at the former Peveril Street Community Centre in Hucknall, were put through their paces at pad-boxing by coach Paul Linley, who runs the club, head coach Paul Singleton and trainer Neil Worthington.

Each of the boys showed tremendous enthusiasm, including diminutive Tom Heverin, who is the youngest club member at 11 years of age.

Mr Linley, who has been connected with boxing for 30 years at various clubs, said that while there were young people going around terrorising others, smashing windows and committing vandalism in the town, his lads were busy improving their physical fitness and their skills.

He felt that the club had a lot to offer to those who, for want of something useful to do, felt they had to occupy their time making life difficult for others.

“They should come along to our club and we will teach them self-esteem, something which they appear to sadly lack,” commented Mr Linley.

He said many young people with “rough edges” had passed through his hands as a boxing coach and they had grown up to be responsible members of society as a result of what they had learned.

The young lads certainly got full marks from the Rotarians for the effort they put into their sport. One club member, Robert Rankin who, as a Conservative Ashfield district councillor, has been going around the town looking at some of the problems associated with vandalism and bad behaviour, commented that he would like to see the troublemakers enrol into the boxing club and find a useful outlet for their excess energy.

n OUR PHOTO shows club president David Spencer (right) donning the practice pads for a session with the young boxers.