GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
There are mixed emotions in this week’s EBA round-up
I’VE said many times in this column that you don’t have to have boxed to join an EBA. If you love the sport, you’ll be most welcome.
One reader who took me up on this was Adam Johnston of Preston, who contacted me to ask how he could join Manchester EBA. I forwarded his email on to Manchester Secretary Eddie Copeland, who duly got in touch – with the result that Adam attended this month’s meeting, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I went in not sure what to expect,” Adam said, “but I enjoyed the meeting and found it quite informative. There was a list of forthcoming boxing shows announced, pro and amateur. This was good to know as I usually know the pro shows going on in the area, but it’s harder to find out about amateur shows, I find, unless you attend the club.
“They held an interview with ex-pro Phil O’hare, which was very good. He spoke very passionately about his career and the future and growth of the EBA, and was very engrossing with his love for the sport.
“I had a chat to a few of the members, who were very friendly, and had a few good chats about recent boxing and boxing in the past. I will definitely be attending the next meeting.”
That’s good to hear, and typical of first-timers’ experiences. I hope more readers are encouraged to give their local EBA a try. I remember Phil O’hare – he campaigned in the early ‘80s, starting at super-feather and eventually going up to super-middle.
He crammed 37 bouts into less than four years, winning 12, drawing three, and appeared in London several times.
Incidentally, Eddie Copeland contacted me to say that this year’s Northern Federation Gala will take place in Llandudno between June 8-10. This is always popular, and I look forward to receiving a report.
That’s all good news. Now the bad news. I am very sorry to have to report that Tyneside & District EBA have had to close down.
“Our final meeting was on Sunday May 13,” Secretary Deborah Smith said. “It was very sad to see the oldest remaining members become quite emotional. Numbers have unfortunately been dwindling for many years, despite our intention to build it back up and take it forward, and it has become more difficult to generate an interest in the
younger generation to join us, despite making our existence public.
“I have been secretary for around three years now, and in that time our funds have helped a lot of good causes. And with hard work from our little group we have managed to keep the funds on track with sponsors and prize draws, but due to various personal reasons people can no longer commit, and the only way forward is to close.
“On behalf of the Committee and Members of TEBA I would like to thank all EBAS who have kept in touch with us with newsletters and other information throughout the last few years, and send all of them our good wishes for the future.”
That really is bad news, just months after Nottingham EBA had to close – for the same reason. The lesson is clear – EBAS, like any other organisation, don’t run themselves. They need people willing and able to take on the various tasks.
If you’re an EBA member, why not think about volunteering for the committee? Have a chat to some committee members, and find out what their various roles entail. In many cases, there are several different tasks per role, and if you were prepared to take on just some of the tasks it would ease the burden on the present incumbent, make his or her life easier, and make it more likely that he or she can carry on.
It’s great to hear about new members, like Adam Johnston – every EBA needs those. But they also need officers. So often it’s not a case of not being willing, it’s that, for various reasons, people aren’t able to give the same level of commitment any longer. And if there are no new people to take their places, or even give a hand, well, we’ve seen what happens.
EMAIL simonoldtimers@googlemail.com with your ex-boxer association news.