Olympic Boxer Courtney Fry has been promoting boxing at some of our local primary schools.  This venture, which has seen more than 100 pupils take part in after school non-contact boxing clubs led by coaches from Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club, has been supported with Sport Unlimited funding through Warrington School Sport Partnership. Five schools have benefited from the clubs so far and two of these, Beamont Primary and St Benedict’s RC Primary, are fortunate enough to welcome Courtney Fry as a special guest this week. 

Courtney has been boxing from the age of 15 and won his first national title in his 6th contest. He then went on to win the senior ABA title 3 times for 3 different clubs picking up a European silver medal, Commonwealth gold medal and Olympic representation along the way. 

“Non-contact boxing has been received very well in the schools,” said Paula Pearson, Partnership Development Manager of the School Sport Partnership.  “The activity is an excellent way for young people to keep fit, to burn off energy and to develop the discipline and self-awareness needed to take part in a martial sport.  Courtney is a great inspiration for our budding young stars, and we are very grateful to him for giving time to visit the schools.”

“The Kids Gloves courses have been a great success and a really enjoyable way of teaching the young people new skills and helping them to lead healthier lives,” said Tom Mellor, Coach from Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club.  “The children have really enjoyed the boxing sessions and you could see how proud they were of their achievements when they received their medals and certificates. Many have started attending regular sessions at our main gym after completing the course at their school. The sessions were particularly successful because they allow people to take part in boxing if they want to compete or if they just want to train for fun and fitness.”

Jess Moore, teacher at Beamont Primary told the School Sport Partnership, “We would recommend Kids Gloves boxing to anyone – the self confidence which the pupils have developed has been amazing, and has carried on into their life in school.  Behaviour has improved and the children have enjoyed doing a ‘different’ activity to the traditional sports and concentrating on getting fit..  Half of the group have gone on to join Phoenix Boxing Club.”

Courtney too, was impressed with the young people, “The children have made a vast improvement since I last saw them 5 weeks ago,” he explained, “The range of boxing skills they have picked up is great.”
 
Phoenix Boxing Club trains on Mondays and Thursdays from 6.30 – 7.30pm (8 and up).  For further information on Phoenix Boxing Club, please contact Tom Mellor 07886949568

For further information on this and other School Sport Partnership activity, please contact Paula Pearson 07951503334