Boxing club saved with cash grant
AMUCH-LOVED Bangor boxing club which has produced a string of Welsh champions has been saved from closure by a grant for desperately needed new equipment for its young members – thanks to cash confiscated from crooks.
The Maesgeirchen Boxing Club, previously the Bangor Club, which includes former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Dave Davies on its roll of honour, has been turning out Welsh champions for over 30 years.
But, according to local Gwynedd councillor Nigel Pickavance, its existence was threatened by the expense of keeping up to date with the latest headguards and equipment.
Now a £2,500 grant from a fund set up by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, will assure its future, according to veteran trainer Brian “Bach” Williams, who looks after youngsters from the age of six up.
The former Royal Navy man, who has been at ringside for the club since 1995, said: “All the equipment changes because of new regulations and it’s very expensive, but this will make sure we’re still here.
“Dave Davies still comes along to the club and he gives the lads a few tips and we’ve got a few good ones at the moment.”
Nigel Pickavance added: “Brian has just turned 70, but he takes the lads on training runs and he’s still the first up the steep hill near the clubhouse.
“He has run the club on bare bones and has won a number of awards for his services. He deserves something better because he’s brought through so many champions.
“The club is in a glorified shed and has a ring and some training equipment, but it needs better headguards, gloves and punchbags and this grant will pay for upgraded equipment.”