The Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club was established in 1935 and provides a safe place for people of all ages to learn and develop their boxing skills. Around 100 young people aged between seven and 17 attend weekly training sessions which are all run by volunteers. The club received £5000 to purchase essential training equipment.
Head Junior Coach, Mandy Hobart, said that the number of young people attending the club has increased significantly in the past five years and is now open every day of the week. She believes the club has attracted so many new members because of the enthusiasm of the volunteers together with higher awareness in the media of the physical and mental benefits.
‘As well as improving general fitness, balance and co-ordination skills boxing has also been proven to benefit children mentally too,’ said Mandy. ‘Boxing can help their self-esteem and self-confidence together with increased focus and listening skills and their ability to work as a team and improve their self-discipline’.