Published at 10:24, Friday, 27 August 2010

A PIONEERING boxing programme in West Cumbrian schools is set to punch above its weight thanks to additional funding.

Whitehaven & District ABC has received backing from the School Sports Partnership, enabling the club to send coaches in to more schools. And it will move in to senior schools next month with Whitehaven and St Benedict’s both signed up.

“Potentially we have a couple of thousand boxers to choose from, and this will give us a good base to take the club forward,” said coach Tim Savage.

The project carried out sessions in two further Whitehaven schools over the summer term, with Hensingham and Valley Juniors taking advantage of the opportunity.

Savage revealed two students had showed great promise and he hopes their next step is to train in the club gym.

“Shona Dixon from Valley School is by far the best girl I have coached. Her technique was spot-on and she picked things up straight away,” he added. "Her press-ups put all the boys to shame.

“Then we had Mark Ronquillo from Hensingham, a fantastic talent, and, of all the schools we have been in, he’s very much the one to watch. But saying that they have all been a pleasure and a credit to their schools.”

Savage pointed out the positive impact boxing had on pupils. “Before going into schools some teachers were a bit wary of the impact teaching boxing would have,” he said. “But I think that overall the programme has been very positive.

“Boxing teaches discipline, combats health problems such as obesity, as well as raising self-esteem and confidence.”

For further information contact Tim Savage on 07785 107960.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk