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“The boxing club isn’t just about learning to fight! It’s about discipline, respect and being healthy. A few of our members are barely literate and this causes great frustration for them. They can work out their problems here and they can get advice in a friendly atmosphere.”
Shildon Amateur Boxing Club has been operating for over 80 years as a member of the Amateur Boxing Association, with the aim to provide sporting activities and healthy pursuits for the children and young people of Shildon and the surrounding villages. The club provides exercise and boxing facilities for up to 65 members 3 times per week. The club members have a very approachable and relaxed view to young people using their facility as a drop-in and feel it is far better for them to be safe at the club than wandering around the streets. This part of Shildon is very run down and the area appears very hostile. The club is very popular and the children who attend take it very seriously.
“Even if you made this building twice as big, we could still fill it. There are a lot of kids hanging around outside and it’s an area that attracts antisocial behaviour and vandalism because it is so run down. After a while though they eventually wander in often just to have somewhere to go. For those who aren’t keen to take up the sport we’ve put in a pool table and a couple of other games and it keeps them occupied and gives them somewhere to meet their friends. Some just come to the club for the exercise – we’ve a lot of sports equipment for them to use and some are keen just to get fit. Once they’re here, they stay. There’s no pressure for them – they train at their own pace.”
Shildon Boxing Club was given £1,360 to install shower and changing room facilities at their new premises at the Railway Institute in Shildon.
The Railway Institute is an old, dilapidated listed building that was greatly in need of refurbishment. The members have worked tirelessly since leasing the building to bring it up to a usable level. In the past the club has faced significant problems finding and keeping an appropriate venue.
“Without this grant we really couldn’t have opened the club here. The law states that we have to provide these facilities and we try to accommodate everyone’s needs. Having the shower rooms refurbished has helped us to open our doors to everyone. Without it we wouldn’t have been able to open the club up to women but they now have facilities and it’s seen a big influx of girls and young women into the club. They’re dedicated – having the ability to stay fit and healthy and acquiring the skills and discipline of boxing is very important to them. All of the members are dedicated.”
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