YOUNG boxers at an amateur club have been making a big impression at various events up and down the country.
After a summer break, Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club has witnessed a number of successes at different events.
Seventeen-year-old Dan Jackson “did the club proud” after competing in the regional rounds of the England Boxing National Development Championships, in Oxfordshire.
Dan, from Staindrop, put in a solid performance, winning his bout in the pre-quarters of the National Association of Boys and Girls Club Championships at Banbury.
The win put him through to the next round where he defeated the Yorkshire champion by a unanimous points decision.
He now goes on to Manchester in the national quarters.
Sinead Fielden, 15, from West Auckland, boxed in the final of the development championship but lost out on a three-two split decision that could have gone either way.
In a separate outing at Newcastle, she was named Boxer of the Night after impressing in a skills development bout.
On the same night her younger sister Brianna won her bout, stopping her opponent in the first round.
Then in an outing at Bishop Auckland two weeks ago Nathan Forrest, 20, from Barnard Castle, won against the Scottish West district champion.
Several young boxers have made their debuts for the club during the last few weeks including Oscar Wilson, 10, Daniel Rathbone,10 and Ben Wainwright, 11.
In a separate skills development event, Ronnie Hardy, from Barnard Castle, had an outing at Stanley.
Coach Craig Harrison said: “Skills development is a transitional stage so they can get a feel for boxing in the ring. There are no winners but both get their arms raised.
“It’s good experience for them as they know what to expect when they go into a real bout.”
The club has about 30 active members and coaches Mr Harrison and Richard Jackson run training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, that cost £3 per session. Juniors train between 6pm and 7pm and seniors between 7pm and 8pm.
Anyone interested in learning more about Barnard Castle Amateur Boxing Club or wants to learn how to box, can get in touch via their social media at www.facebook.com /Barnard-Castle-Amateur-Boxing-Club.
