EASTLEIGH ABC - BOXING RING FUND

Aim

The aim of our project is to buy a new fold away Boxing ring to replace our 70 year old one which is becoming extremely unsafe to use.

HISTORY OF THE CLUB

Eastleigh ABC has been established since 1947 and we have been using the same boxing ring since the very beginning. Our boxing club has seen thousands of community members through its doors in this time and have had some great boxing names come out of the club, including Nicky Coutsoudis and Jan Magdziarz who both turned professional and celebrated victories against boxing greats such as Alan Minter. We have also had many successful coaches one of whom was Michael Uzebu-Asije who gained an MBE for his services to sport as well as being a Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner in 1958.  

WHY WE NEED A NEW BOXING RING

The 70 year old ring has to be erected and dismantled every session we have due to the club being based at a community sports facility. The ring corner posts weigh over 40kg and are 12 ft long. This has made the practice of the erecting and dismantling the ring at every session very difficult, and at risk of serious injury for our volunteer coaches and members of the club. The time taken for this practice also cuts into our allocated time slots at the community centre. I believe it is time for us to have an up to date, fold away ring which can be used safely and  will enable us to be more efficient within our sessions. If unsuccessful my biggest fear is that one of the volunteer coaches or members seriously injures themselves through erecting and dismantling the 70 year old boxing ring in every session. I am also concerned that through health and safety changes in the last 70 years we will not be able to continue using our boxing ring which of course would be devastating for the club. Please help us :)

HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED

Eastleigh ABC cannot afford to update our 70 year old ring. The club is still regenerating after COVID lockdowns. With the success of the project we intend to purchase the new ring and it would fast forward the club into the 21st century. We have helped tens of thousands of members of the community over the years to gain fitness, confidence and mental wellbeing through the wonderful sport of boxing. We will carry on doing this for many years to come. We won "Club of the Year 2019" and " Project of the Year 2019 "through our local council's Sports Awards and wish to continue our great work within the community. The new ring would make a huge difference to the club, volunteers and members.

This project successfully funded on 11th November 2021