Born-again club ring the changes

ROYSTON Boxing Club opened their new ring at Coombes Community Centre, on Saturday, with an inter-club competition. The club was formed 18 month ago when the old Royston Royal British Legion Boxing Club folded. After a protracted search, the club have a new ring and storage facility at the community centre, and have a membership of 55 boxers aged between eight and 20. The club, who began life at Bassingbourn Barracks, train twice a week, and as a novice club give youngsters an introduction to competitive boxing. Following the demise of the old club, Andy Geraghty resurrected boxing in Royston, with Jack Smith appointed as the new chairman and Councillor Bill Davidson vice-chairman. With the help of Councillor Bill Davidson, the ring was paid for by North Herts District Council, and Geraghty had high praise for help provided by the councillor. He said: "Bill is really enthusiastic and has been a great help. He's the first councillor I've come across who really focused on helping youth of Royston by giving them some amenities." Saturday's event saw many members of the club taking to the ring for competitive bouts for the first time, and Geraghty was delighted with the success of the morning's action. He said: "It was a big success with all the boys performing extremely well. A lack of fitness let some of them down, but they know what they have to do to solve that problem." The club have four coaches, Scott Barrett, John Barrett, Tony Carolin and Ian Willis, and have received support from community police officers Colin Mingay and Michelle Trussell. The club raise funds from four social evenings per year, with the next one a soul night at Royston Town Football Club on May 6. For further information about Royston Boxing Club, contact Fran West on 01763 231785.