£70,000 boost for new boxing centre

Thursday 12th August 2010
A £70,000 award will allow Great Yarmouth’s Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club to
take the biggest step in its long history when it moves into a former Gorleston
dance hall at the end of the year.

The money from the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE), in
partnership with Sport England, will help the club transform the old Tower
Dance Club into possibly the best boxing gym in the region.

“The money’s a Godsend at a time when we are bursting at the seams, as a
highly successful club with a long waiting list,” said club Chairman Glen Miller.
“However, we consider that we still need around another £35,000 worth of
help in cash, material and labour for the club to reach a desirable finished
project.

“This will be the seventh move since the club started in 1964 and the biggest
and best thing to happen to us. We are a victim of our own success but now we
can meet our aim of increasing membership from 100 to 170 over the next four
years.”

Kingfisher, which is based at St Peter's Plain , was chosen for the award because its project demonstrated an ability to drive participation in the sport and provide users with a high quality experience.

In recent years it has also enhanced its reputation for turning out talented
young boxers and for its open approach to female members, those with
disabilities or from any ethnic background.

When the premises are refurbished, the hall will potentially be open to
wider community use for activities like judo and karate and even a return to
dancing.

Members have already made a start by helping gut the old dance hall on
Gorleston’s riverside before it is given a new roof, suspended ceilings and new
electrical system.

“We’re not just after cash,” said club vice-president Albert Jones. “We’re
appealing to anyone who can offer practical help, labour or materials; any
tradesman who can give a couple of hours help will be invaluable.”

The transformation of both floors should be completed by the end of the year
so there can be an open day on January 29, 2011 before the club’s second
tournament of the year at the Ocean Rooms.

Mr Miller said he was delighted for the club, its 14 volunteer qualified coaches,
the committee, and all the members who had made it such a success.

For more information call Glen Miller on 07795 261 714

« Previous (older item)   Next (newer item)»

More like this...