Boxing club to train next generation of coaches

From left, Mike Bromby, Head Coach at St Paul’s Boxing Academy, Team GB boxer Harvey Lambert, and Andrew Horncastle, a trustee of St Paul’s Boxing Academy

By Rick Lyon

Hull’s oldest boxing club has been given the go-ahead to train the sport’s next generation of coaches.

St Paul’s Boxing Academy, on North Church Side, city centre, has been sanctioned by governing body England Boxing to run training courses aimed at creating Level One coaches.

It is the first club in East Yorkshire to be certified for many years.

The move came about after Head Coach Mike Bromby and the club’s trustees identified a need for more qualified coaching staff to work with its 500 members.

They decided to make the facilities available for running the courses, with the first one due to take place on June 30 and 31.

Mike said: “The club is more popular than ever now and we have hundreds of members, but whilst we have lots of fantastic volunteer coaches, we really needed for them to become qualified.

“Until now, to do a coaching qualification people had to go to South or West Yorkshire, which involves a lot of time, as well as travel and accommodation costs.  

“So, we decided to apply to have the courses run here instead. We already run safeguarding courses and first aid courses through England Boxing, so adding coaching courses seemed like a natural step.

“Being accredited is fantastic. Now we can get our own coaches qualified, as well as helping other clubs in Yorkshire to do the same.”

Out of the 18 people who are due to attend the first course, St Paul’s Boxing Academy is looking to select 10 to train at the city centre gym.

The remaining eight will be able to apply to coach at other gyms across the region or wider UK.

Mike added the club intends to run one or two training courses each year, depending on demand.

“Over the club’s 74-year history, we have produced hundreds of champion boxers,” he said.

“Now we can help produce the qualified coaches that will create thousands of future champions.”

St Paul’s Boxing Academy started in 1948 and has produced thousands of boxers over that time including Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell, local hero Tommy Coyle, and Elite ABA National Champion and Team GB boxer Harvey Lambert.

Based in a former dance hall in Trinity Square, city centre, in 2020 it underwent a £1m refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art gym facility, funded by local businesses, individuals and Hull City Council.

The club, which is the biggest amateur boxing gym outside of London, is a registered charity and relies on donations from businesses and individuals to continue to operate.

If you would like to become a member of the club, or support St Paul’s Boxing Academy to ensure its long-term future, get in touch on info@stpaulsboxing.co.uk.