FIVE full seasons after it was established, Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club continues to pack a punch.
And inspired by the success of the likes of double Olympic goal medallist Nicola Adams, the club now boasts its first three carded female fighters.
Previously based in the town centre, the club’s gym is now based at Stainton Grove, where training is held three nights a week, split between juniors (6pm to 7pm) and seniors (7pm to 8pm).
Craig Harrison, a founder member of the club, says progress has been steady.
“We tend to average about 20 bouts a season and every season we have won more than we have lost.”
The club has about 30 members ranging in age from eight to 20.
Of those, ten are “carded” – which means they are registered and have been passed fit to fight competitively.
“We make sure they are ready before they go in. We don’t just put anybody into the ring,” says Mr Harrison.
“We make sure they can box to a certain standard.”
Even if members have no wish to set foot in the ring, they are welcome at the club.
“We want to encourage anybody into the sport. There is a social aspect to it. They are meeting up three or four times a week, become good friends and develop a really good work ethic.
“Even if you are only a recreational boxer, you get a good work ethic.”
Charlotte Burns, 14, from Barnard Castle, first set foot in the gym about five months ago – and now can’t wait to get into the ring for a proper bout.
“I have a couple of friends here who box and I took an interest in it,” said the Teesdale School student.
“I decided to give it a go and really enjoyed my first session. After a couple more I decided I really wanted to fight.
“That has made me train a lot harder – sparring with the boys – and be more committed to it.”
Having enjoyed success as a swimmer, Charlotte says she is “really competitive anyway” and although her family were a bit worried at first about her switch to boxing “they will support me 100 per cent” .
She adds: “The best thing about boxing is the stress and anger it relieves, along with getting to know everyone here- it’s like a really big family.”
Jack Mattless, meanwhile, has been boxing since the club was formed.
Now 20, he is a veteran of eight bouts, most of which have ended in victory. These days, he fights in the 80kg weight.
He says he tried other sports – cricket, football, rugby – but boxing suited him perfectly.
And there is nothing better than winning.
“The best thing is winning the bout after all the weeks of hard work and training and not drinking and living healthily,” he says.
“You have to put in all the hard work, otherwise you will get found out in the ring.”
He says the highlight to date was boxing at the club’s own show at Barnard Castle Workingmen’s Club.
“Your mam and dad are there, friends are there and everyone from the club is there and when you get your hand raised in victory, it is the best feeling in the world.”
The boxers’ efforts are overseen by coaches Richard Jackson and James Layton who, along with Mr Harrison are all fully qualified and accredited with the Amateur Boxing Association.
The club is well supported across the town.
On the evening the Mercury called round to the gym, Dave Thompson, manager of the Co-op garage was handing over the proceeds of a collection bucket on the counter, which were added to the funds raised from a well supported family night at the workingmen’s club.
Town charity The Clique and the Marwood Trust have also backed the club.
“We would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us,” says Mr Harrison.
Anyone interested in the club can contact Mr Harrison on 07746 201412 or find Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club on Facebook.
