Brad ‘The Sting’ Rea

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Brad 'The Sting' Rea

Maverick Stars Trust is delighted to welcome one of the UK’s top boxing prospects to its list of Ambassadors. Unbeaten middleweight, Brad Rea, has joined forces with the charity to help coach and mentor young people struggling in mainstream education.

The 23year old from Stretford, trained by Blain Younis at Ricky Hatton’s gym in Hyde, has so far amassed an outstanding record of ten fights, ten wins with four stoppages. The St John’s ABC amateur has appeared on Matchroom cards, catching the eye on Sky Sports in his last fight, a one-round demolition of fellow unbeaten fighter Lee Cutler.

Speaking of his new alliance with Maverick Stars, Brad said: "I really enjoy the coaching side of boxing," he said. "I basically grew up in a boxing gym and I know all about the benefits of the sport and how it can help young people stay on the right path.

“Maverick Stars is doing amazing work throughout boxing and I’m delighted to get on board.”

Unsung Hero – Dom Hodnett

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Dom Hodnett

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

                                                      Martin Murray

Nominated by multiple champion and former world title challenger Martin Murray, this week we turn our attention to Dom Hodnett, head coach at Wildcard ABC in St Helens. The club is the heartbeat of the community and like just every boxing club throughout the land, Dom and his coaches work tirelessly to help young people learn to box, but more importantly, to stay on the right track.

"He set his first gym up in a youth centre and he only had a tiny little hole that he could use on a night," Martin said. "He had to set the ring  up every night, set the bags up every night and then take it all down because it [the room] was used for something else. He did that every night.

"He started making a real difference to the community, making such an impact they moved him down the road, but it was still a small space. Again, there were that many kids coming through his doors, changing peoples lives in a rough area, he was moved again and he's got a cracking space now. He's in there every hour God sends. He gives a lot and it's just to basically help people. It's selfless what he does.

"I've been there. A boxing gym saved my life. I've been in jail four times - I've been down that wrong path. I managed to sort my head out. Obviously I wanted to change, but the place that sorted me out was a boxing gym."

Pic credit: BBTV

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Trading Blows

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Trading Blows

A unique initiative helping boxers with financial advice and employment opportunities has launched in Manchester.

Maverick Stars Trust has teamed up with FCI Markets – a leading financial services provider – to deliver a 12-session course, teaching fighters of all abilities about finance and trading. The company has a wealth of experience in the sector and already works in football, advising young professionals.

FCI chief executive and founder Steve Tyjas said: “There’s a very big synergy between trading and the life of a sportsman. You have to have that commitment to excel in any kind of sport and it’s the same with trading. You need to have that dedication.

“We want to try and show them there’s an opportunity, should they have a career ending injury or just coming to the end of their career, that there is something else that will see them well in the future.

“People think of the financial markets the wrong way. They think you need to have a university degree or be highly educated to do it. We’re trying to show that you don’t. I’m not the most educated guy out there – it’s just about having a bit of common sense, sticking to the rules, being disciplined, and committed. This is open to anyone and everyone.”

The course guides participants through the practicalities of trading, step by step, starting with the basics and working up to

“We start by showing them how to load a trading platform and what the numbers are that you see on that platform. We can grow it to the advanced, where you’re looking at all the analytics into the charting and the daily movement of each price, currency and stock,” Steve added.

Steve and his team are initially delivering the project at Collyhurst & Moston ABC, with plans to extend to other gyms. FCI plans to offer work experience placements with a view to full time employment for the right candidates.

 

Walkden ABC Finally Open

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Walkden ABC Finally Open

It's been a long road with plenty of potholes and a pandemic to deal with, but Salford's newest boxing club is finally open for business.

Maverick Stars Trust founder Charlotte Gilley, Danny Wright and Jamie Moore

Walkden ABC, in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust and located at Walkden town centre, has been a hive of activity since COVID restrictions were eased. Salford Youth services have been bringing young people to the gym to try out boxing taster sessions, under the guidance of former professional fighter-turned-coach Danny Wright.

In the evenings, the amateur boxing club has opened up to the local community with sessions at full capacity. Head coach Chris Ogden said: "This is a really good facility for the area. It'll bring back a bit of community boxing that me and Jamie [Moore] enjoyed twenty odd years ago. Walkden's not had that since. Everyone's talking about it. There's a big buzz about it."

It's all a dream come true for former British and European champion Jamie, who's been working with Maverick Stars for more than two years to get the project off the ground.

"Just knowing the impact a boxing gym has on somebody's life, you never see the true success stories," Jamie said. "The discipline it teaches, the self-awareness, work ethic and mentality. These kids are going to carry that through with them for the rest of their lives in whatever area they decide to go down.

"It just makes me proud that we can makes that little change and help somebody in their life in a little way."

Unsung Hero – Joe Pennington

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Joe Pennington

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

This week we turn our attention to Joe Pennington, head coach at Northside ABC in Manchester. The club is one of the busiest and most prolific boxing gyms in the north west, churning out dozens of national amateur champions and top professionals, all under Joe's watchful eye.

Nominating Joe, Maverick Stars ambassador Anthony Crolla said: "Northside is a fantastic gym that's creating so many talented fighters. Joe goes under the radar a bit, but his work is well know within boxing. He's typical of coaches that put in so much of their time to helps kids develop not just as boxers, but as people. He's made his mark on hundreds of people in Manchester and beyond.

"He's also a very familiar face on the pro scene - he's in the corner for all kinds of fighters, not just prospects. He's on the road all the time, often looking after journeymen, helping them make a good living. He's a great man."

Pic credit: BBTV

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Changing Lives in Liverpool

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Changing Lives in Liverpool

Derry Mathews has linked up with a homeless charity in Liverpool to provide free boxing sessions for young people. The project has proved so successful, five of the new recruits are looking to compete in the amateur ranks.

The former WBU champion, working in partnership with Maverick Stars, has joined forces with the AIMS project - a charity which helps 18 - 24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training - access specialised accommodation.

The Marybone gym, on the edge of Liverpool city centre, is running other initiatives alongside the homeless project, including helping armed forces veterans and families of addiction. Along with the community work, Derry is also busy helping Jazza Dickens prepare for his forthcoming world title fight against Kid Galahad.

All COVID protocols were adhered to at the time of filming.

Unsung Hero – Adrian Fleming

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero – Adrian Fleming

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

This week we turn our attention to Adrian Fleming, head coach at Leigh ABC in Greater Manchester. The club continues to be a great success, working with thousands of young people of all abilities, from novice to elite.

Leigh ABC boasts more than 80 ABA titlists along with countless internationals and those that have gone on to careers in the professional ranks including Isaac Lowe, Marcus Morrison and Jack Catterall.

The club also works tirelessly in the community to encourage young people to get off the streets and into a safe and healthy environment.

Nominating Adrian, Timperley ABC head coach Mark Davidson said: “He’s been in the coaching game for decades, he’s had numerous champions and has done so much. He’s helped so many kids - boys and girls.

“He’s turned so many lives around and is a great coach. Adrian is certainly an unsung hero.”

Along with his club commitments, Adrian is highly regarded on the international scene and is part of the England coaching set-up.

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Unsung Hero – Sean Rafferty

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Sean Rafferty

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

This week, we celebrate the work of Sean Rafferty, nominated by his former fighter and now fellow coach, Steve Maylett. It was at Ancoats Lads Boxing Club, under the guidance of Sean that Steve learned to box, his mentor's methods sank in.  Steve has gone on to carve out a top career as both an amateur and professional coach, training hundreds of local children and stars including former world champion Terry Flanagan, Sam Maxwell, Liam Taylor and Zak Miller.

"I think he was the best of his generation in teaching you footwork. I built from there upwards," said Steve. "A lot of the fundamentals came from what Sean taught me. He's given his life to boxing. Not a lot of people know him, he doesn't do social media. He's always stayed self-efficient and he's an unsung hero for this part of Manchester. I know people who come to the boxing gym, they've not boxed for 15 years, but they still come and train. He's changed hundreds of lives."

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

@maverickstars1          maverickstarstrust

All You Need Is Love……..Boxing Club

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Like most boxing gyms throughout the land, Love ABA Police Boxing Club in Lancashire has once again opened its doors – with a helping hand from Maverick Stars Trust.

The gym, in Rawtenstall, under the guidance of Paddy Connellan, has benefited from the charity’s ‘subs for clubs’ initiative. All members can train for free for the first month post-lockdown. The project is aimed at giving the club a much-needed boost and supporting the boxers’ families, many of whom have struggled during the pandemic.

Maverick Stars has also secured funding for the club with help from MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry and councillor David Foxcroft.  This funding will ensure Love ABA continues its excellent community work.

The Finest Gym in Manchester

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

The Finest Gym in Manchester

The Finest Gym in Manchester is joining forces with Maverick Stars Trust to deliver initiatives to get young people moving again. But while it's good news for now, the club needs to find a new long-term home as the area is set for regeneration.

Steve Maylett, The Finest ABC

The doors to the Ancoats gym have been closed throughout lockdown, with only elite professional boxers allowed to train. Along with serving its immediate area, the gym is a safe hub for young people from the surrounding districts of Miles Platting, Collyhurst, Newton Heath and beyond.

Head coach Steve Maylett outlined plans for the new alliance: "I used to work with young people who'd been excluded from schools. That was my background, working with Manchester College for 12 years. That's always been my passion. Charlotte [Maverick Stars founder] asked if I'd like to set up some sessions. We're going to start running one project a week."

One initiative will be the hugely successful 'Sting Like a Bee' which has been rolled out in gyms throughout Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the north east and the south coast.

In the meantime, The Finest Gym in Manchester will continue its outstanding work in the community. Steve and the team are hoping to stay in their home for as long as possible, although they know the small industrial unit where they're based has been sold to property developers.