Boxing club chief fears for a ‘lost generation’
Hamilton Boxing Club vicechairman Jimmy Stirling is deeply concerned that the pandemic will result in a generation of lost boxers.
The renowned club has been open since 1994 and has been a refuge for young adults looking to avoid trouble on the streets.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, the club has been unable to welcome young boxers for months, and Stirling is worried about the knock-on effect.
He said: “I’m really worried about how many young, talented boxers will be lost to the sport.
“It’s a brilliant sport for keeping people off the streets and out of trouble.
“It teaches kids discipline and structure, which helps in everyday life.
“We’ve got all our boxers linked on their phones and we monitor their running times.
“They log on and we keep track of everything they’re doing.”
Stirling feels that the club, located on Clydesdale street, has received inadequate support from the relevant governing bodies.
He said: “It’s just crazy right now. There is nothing from Boxing Scotland at all – you would think they’d be running health and safety classes.
“They are mainly focused on their elite boxers.
“That’s who they are interested in right now and all the other clubs are struggling.”
Although the gym specialises in boxing, it also provides more general exercise classes, which cater to different demographics.
Stirling revealed that preparations are underway to re-open the gym, whenever it is deemed safe to do so by the Scottish Government.
He added:“we are getting the gym ready for everybody coming back. Everybody is constantly phoning, trying to find out what’s going on.
“We have lots of casual classes on the weekends with a lot of women who are desperate to get back too.
“I’m hoping to get back next month because everybody has paid their dues for absolutely nothing in return
“It’s very difficult for everyone right now.”
SFA chiefs apologised to Accies and Hibs after a linesman took part in the game when he should have been self-isolating.
Graeme Stewart, who was at the centre of a controversial red card for Accies defender Jamie Hamilton, was part of a delegation that officiated a Greek Super League match between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, alongside David Roome and Bobby Madden.
Roome tested positive for Covid-19, and while he and Madden went into self-isolation, Stewart ran the line at Easter Road.
Accies and Hibs were made aware of the issue on Sunday but with all three officials now isolating, no players or staff at either club were close contacts.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said:“while the circumstances are complex, the reality is that under Scottish Government guidelines all match officials involved in the trip should be considered close contacts.
“I have reiterated that the positive case and subsequent contact tracing should have been undertaken in line with the Scottish Government’s guidelines and the established system utilised by ESCAG.
“I have apologised to Hibernian and Hamilton Academical for the unnecessary risk of having an assistant referee at a match when he should have been self-isolating, however much it is mitigated by two negative tests.”