This time last year many people that found themselves looking in on DCU Boxing club realised that it was a club fighting for survival. A club that produced Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland had found itself on the edge of extinction and staring into an abyss of uncertainty.
But now, after a year of hard work, the DCU boxing club find themselves looking forward to a bright future. The club has now got more than 20 regular members which gives the it the basis to aim high in the future.
The hard work done in DCU Boxing club was rewarded last year when they received the award for ‘Most Promising Club’. This was testament to the hard work done behind the scenes by coaches, committees and the boxers themselves.
After last year’s uncertainty the club is now in a much more stable position with the potential for more growth. The club’s ability to push on last year was a major success but, in sport, success is always measured in results.
DCU took part in the Intervarsity Boxing Competition last year and finished in first place on the points table. For a club that was on the verge of collapse just months beforehand this was a sign that now they are here to stay.
When asked about the clubs aspirations for the year ahead Chairperson Robert Egan said that “We hope to top the Intervarsity table again this year”. Egan was very upbeat for the year ahead with the hope of expanding the club.
The club caters for all types of boxers from beginners to experienced boxers and Egan went on to say that the majority of the boxers “only box inside of the club”. This is testament to the coaches inside of the club and has shown the promise of competitive boxers in DCU.
A woman’s boxing class is being introduced in the club this year with Elite Ireland Coach, Claire Grace on board to help with both the men’s and the ladies’ sections of the club. This along with Mark and Derek Ahern will hopefully push the club on to new heights.
Whatever way the results pan out for DCU boxers they can be sure now that they have a stable environment to grow. With this promising future the club may yet again produce Irish champions and possible Olympic medallists.
Let’s hope the Boxing Club’s persistence to never back down can change near failure into extraordinary achievement.
Garrett Lavin
Image Credit: Sportsfile
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