Bradford College

Boxing Leads the Way

Bradford College has hosted the first ever pilot of the Amateur Boxing Association of England’s (ABAE) new Boxing Leaders Course.  The College is hoping to become a centre of excellence for amateur boxing before the 2012 Olympic Games, and the development of this new and exciting course will play an important part.

The pilot of the course has proved so successful that the College intends to roll out the final version of the course later this year. The course has been designed as an introductory course for those who have not boxed before, but who wish to proceed to the new Level 1 ABAE Coaching qualification, which will replace the current Assistant Coach qualification.

A graduate of the course, Police Constable Yasvender Rehill, has already started supporting the after school boxing sessions at two Bradford schools on his ‘patch’, assisting club coach Julian Cyprien.

Commenting on the Boxing Leaders Course, course organiser Paul Porter, Boxing Development Officer for Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy said:   "It's a great honour for Bradford College to be chosen to host the pilot of the ABAE Boxing Leaders Course. The ABAE National Coach, Mick Gannon, is taking a close interest in the College.  He believes that with the backing of the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain it can become a centre of excellence for amateur boxing before the 2012 Olympic Games!” 

Paul continued:  “We've only been in operation for one term.  We've hosted this course and got a world silver medallist! I'm now looking forward to some of those students who were raw beginners in September '08 having their first contests. They've already made great progress and could be competing before the end of this season."

Participants on the pilot course which has proved to be so successful included police officers, youth offending team representatives, trainee teachers and Bradford College staff and students. An impressive team of coaches assisted England Coach Mick Gannon BEM in the delivery of the pilot, including Nic Tansley - Eastern Counties, Alan Keast - Midlands, Martin Utley - Yorkshire, Dave Binns -Tyne Tees, Les Brooking -Western Counties, Cliff Perkins - Police, Graham Alderson - Royal Navy and the Scotland National Coach - Kevin Smith.

On hand to help out with many of the skills demonstrations was Bradford College student and recent World Championship silver medallist, Nicola Adams.  In 2008 Nicola became the first ever British female boxer to win a medal at the World Championships and the first ever finalist from Britain! Nicola continues to take a close interest in the Academy, and will be training at Bradford College when the national squad camp takes place here later in the year.

Also in attendance were Barry Jones of the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain, Rebecca Black - the ABAE’s National Women’s Boxing Development Manager, Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy Curriculum Programme Coach Mally MacIver, Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy Head Club Coach Julian Cyprien, and the Course Organiser Paul Porter - Bradford Boxing Development Officer.

At the end of the first pilot session, Paul Porter said:  “It was a very enjoyable and informative day for all those who took part.  This course will be an important part of the ABAE’s drive to increase the number of people involved in amateur boxing.”

England Coach, Mick Gannon added: “I would like to congratulate all those who took part for their enthusiasm and good humour. It was very pleasing to see so many people from non-boxing backgrounds having their eyes opened to the reality of amateur boxing as a great sport that can be enjoyed by all.” Mick continued:  “I’d also like to thank the other coaches, Bradford College for continuing its ongoing promotion of amateur boxing, and the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain for supporting the event!”

Find out more about the Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy