Boxing club's gym 'will help break down barriers'

The opening of a £1.9m gym will help a boxing club "break down barriers" for young people in the community, its founder said.

South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club's (ABC's) new home was officially opened on Mirion Street in Crewe, Cheshire, by Sport Minister Stephanie Peacock.

It was the culmination of a five-year project carried out by the boxing club and Crewe Youth Club, as part of a drive to create more spaces for young people in the area.

Nathan Clarke, founder and head coach of South Cheshire ABC, said he wanted to host other projects and schemes at the new site to encourage more people to attend.

"It's unreal, you walk into the new boxing club and it's 'wow' every time," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We want to be able to deliver more than just boxing…It's about breaking down barriers for a start.

"The best thing about boxing is, they [the people] are from every walk of life. You don't always break down that barrier but boxing clubs do."

Club member Kyra Davis, 20, said she has been on "a journey" ever since joining in 2019 and has plans to turn professional in the future.

She is a two-time England Boxing National Youth Development champion and a one-time National Association of Boys and Girls Club (NABGC) champion.

Speaking of the new gym, she said: "Look at it – it speaks for itself, it's amazing. It's a lot better than the one we were in. We're going to benefit from it so much more."

The building has been constructed on the site of the town's former youth club, which burnt down a number of years ago, leaving the land derelict.

Mike Morris, chairman of Crewe Youth Club, said he always wanted to resurrect the site and "make something happen".

He said the new gym was part of the club's mission to create more facilities and opportunities for young people.

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