Burnham-On-Sea News
Burnham-On-Sea boxer hits the big time
Burnham-On-Sea boxer Robert Boardman is celebrating after being the first student in the new Filton College Boxing Academy to win a national title.
In the Boxing Finals of the National Association of Clubs for Young People Great Britain, which was held on Wednesday 8th December 2004 at the Lancaster Gate Hotel, London, Robert was crowned national winner in the 75-81 kilo class for 17-19 year olds.
Filton Boxing Academy student Robert Boardman from Burnham-On-Sea took up boxing five years ago, training at the King Alfred Club in Somerset. Since then he has won the National Clubs for Young People title and is now taking the Academy’s sports progression course.
Robert was delighted to join the Boxing Academy. It has given him the opportunity to retain his boxing identity and roots by competing under his local club name when in the ring. “I believe people should follow their dreams and become the person they want to be,” says Robert. “I want to continue boxing and fulfil my dreams of becoming a pro.”
The Boxing Academy is the latest sports initiative to become part of Filton College’s Bristol Academy of Sport and commenced in September 2004. Twenty-one students have enrolled so far and the Academy is aimed at talented young boxers in the region, and also for complete novices.
The Academy, which Filton College created in conjunction with The Riverside Youth Project Western Counties Boxing Academy, is the first such Boxing / Further Education collaboration in the South West.
The Boxing Academy gives students aged 16-19, the opportunity to obtain academic qualifications from a wide range of full-time courses and sport specific courses while focusing on developing and pursing their boxing skills for up to 16 hours each week coached by leading professionals. In addition to these courses, students have the opportunity to study First Aid and the Junior and Assistant Amateur Boxing Association coaching qualification courses.
Study and training is based jointly at Filton College and at The Riverside Youth Project Western Counties Boxing Academy based in Clement Street, Easton. Specialist training facilities will also be available at the new sport and vocational centre being developed by Filton College at nearby Filton High School, due to open in September 2005.
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