Moss Side Taking Shape

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Moss Side Taking Shape

The first phase of a planned double extension at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club is now underway.

Along with extending the gym area, the new construction will include a classroom, office and changing areas. The club is a long-term partner of Maverick Stars Trust and has delivered many community initiatives from the premises. The extension will ensure the gym's vital work continues, as head coach Nigel Travis explained.

"We need to invest in our kids from this area. This [extension] is like a levelling up, if ever there was one. We're trying to put our energy into this and hopefully we save the world one day at a time."

Click below to find out more from Maverick ambassadors Nigel and GB podium star Conner Tudsbury.

 

Champ Backs ‘Fit for Life’

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Champ Backs 'Fit for Life'

World champion Paul Butler is backing a Maverick Stars initiative to help over 55's get in the gym and get 'Fit for Life'.

Boxing training is recommended by GP's as a way of battling stress, anxiety and the aches and pains that come with age. Wirral CP Boxing club in Ellesmere Port is partnering with Maverick to provide free sessions every Tuesday.

Butler - a two-time world champ - started boxing at Wirral CP aged just eight, and is still a very familiar sight at the club. When he's not training for title fights, the bantamweight boss coaches at the club and is fully behind its latest project (click video below).

'Fit for Life' details: Each Tuesday, 3pm Wirral CP Boxing club, 55 Station Road, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1NY Contact Peter: 07971 476605

Speaking Up for Ricky

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

A men's mental health initiative set up in memory of a Bolton boxing coach has proved a huge success.

Based at the Elite Boxing Gym in Halliwell, 'Ricky's Club' was launched with support from Maverick Stars Trust in December 2021. Named after Ricky Fletcher, who committed suicide after battling mental health issues, the project is the brainchild of head coach Alex Matvienko.

"He [Ricky] was a boxing coach here and an ex-addict. We rehabilitated him, he dropped a lot of weight and turned his life around. He did his ABA course and so on, but then he just sort of lost his way a bit, felt a bit lost and took his own life about nine years ago.”

“This [Ricky’s Club] was always an idea I had, but I didn’t have the team or the facilities to put it on. I’ve always been passionate about it, but come nine years later Charlotte from Maverick said, ‘let’s do it.’ We started this pilot last December and it’s been pretty incredible really.”

The free sessions encourage men from all walks of life to chat about any issues that may be affecting them. Whether struggling with addiction, depression or without any apparent issues, all are welcome to attend the group.

Ricky's Club is held at Elite Boxing, Wordsworth Mill, Wordsworth Street, Bolton. Sessions take place every other Tuesday at 7.30pm.

For more information: www.eliteboxing.co.uk     @eliteboxer    01204 493 563

Big Success for Defib Campaign

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Big Success for Defib Campaign

The Maverick Stars campaign to provide 50 defibrillators for 50 boxing clubs has proved to be a huge success.

The nationwide ‘Keep the Beat – Maverick’s Restart a Heart’ initiative has now ended with successful applicants - clubs most in need - now fitted with a vital defib. Along with providing the necessary kit, the campaign raised awareness of CPR techniques and was headed up by Maverick ambassador April Hunter who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner in 2018 (PGCPR).

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in ten. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.

It is now a requirement that every England Boxing amateur club has to have access to and know how to use a defib.  

Whilst the ‘Keep the Beat’ campaign has now come to its conclusion, Maverick Stars Trust will continue to lead the way with campaigns, projects and initiatives that will help support communities through boxing. Watch this space!!

Defib for Jennings Gym

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Defib for Jennings Gym

Jennings Gym in Lancashire is the latest of 50 boxing clubs to be awarded with a defibrillator as part of Maverick Stars Trust's 'Keep the Beat' campaign.

The nationwide initiative is supporting clubs that may otherwise struggle to buy the vital piece of equipment. England Boxing insists all clubs must have a defib in place by June of this year. Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests.

Dave Jennings and former world title challenger Michael Jennings, oversee a bustling gym in Chorley full of talented amateur and professional fighters. A series of community initiatives are also delivered at the club including training and education for children at risk of exclusion from school, and sessions for people in recovery from addictions.

Veteran Success

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Veteran Success

A Maverick Stars programme aimed at supporting armed forces veterans has grown from strength to strength, with hundreds now taking part at boxing clubs across the nation.

Delicious Orie at South Wye

‘Operation Warrior’ has proved an outstanding success. The eight-week courses feature boxing sessions, team building days, guest speakers and mental health first aid. Following an inaugural project in partnership with Tom Harrison House and Derry’s Gym in Liverpool, the programme is now being delivered throughout the north-west, north-east, the midlands and the south-east. Plans are in place to extend the scheme further.

Operation Warrior was set up to support ex-servicemen and women who encounter mental and physical health problems upon leaving the forces. Boxing has a positive effect on confidence, motivation, and stress levels. The initiative is the brainchild of armed forces veteran and head of Maverick’s veterans’ programmes, Tony Gilley.

“Many vets encounter problems when they leave the forces,” Tony said. “There can be problems with addiction, isolation, and poor physical and mental health. Our work is based at boxing clubs and the courses help raise self-esteem through improved fitness and other opportunities.”

The programme at South Wye Police Boxing Academy in Hereford has proved extremely successful. Maverick Stars ambassador and GB boxer Delicious Orie has been a regular at the sessions – when training commitments allow. The talented super-heavyweight is tipped for big things at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer, and the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Initiatives are also in place at Willaston ABC, Birkenhead, North Mersey ABC, Liverpool, Elite Boxing, Bolton, North Star ABC, Sunderland, Fox ABC in Oldham, Amir Unsworth Boxing Academy, Lincolnshire, and West London ABC.

Other boxing gyms have partnered with local football clubs to widen their community reach. Examples include Hamer ABC and Rochdale AFC, 5-Ways Boxing Club and Burnley FC in the Community, Derry’s Gym and Liverpool FC Foundation, Penwortham ABC and Preston North End and Curzon Ashton FC and Magic Hatton Boxing and Fitness.

Clubs Set for Defibs

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Clubs Set for Defibs

Boxing clubs throughout the country have been awarded a vital defibrillator as part of the Maverick Stars 'Keep the Beat' campaign.

April, Shay and Savannah

The initiative aims to promote CPR techniques along with donating fifty defibs to amateur gyms. Headed up by Maverick ambassador April Hunter - who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner to cardiac arrest in 2018 - the project is being run in conjunction with the charity set up in Paul's name, PGCPR.

The campaign also has the full support of April’s friend, world champion middleweight Savannah Marshall and Newcastle and Ireland goalkeeping legend Shay Given.

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in ten. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.                                             

Maverick Stars has provided the defibrillators to amateur boxing clubs most in need. It will help meet the requirement that every England Boxing member club will need to have access to and know how to use a lifesaving defib by 1st June 2022.

England Boxing Head of Community Development, Avoen Perryman, said: "For the fifty boxing clubs that the team at Maverick Stars Trust have selected to support with this amazingly generous offer, I just want to say congratulations and well done. It is great to see that your clubs will now have this key piece of equipment installed.

"To the remaining clubs who didn't make Maverick's final fifty, your regional Club Support Officers are on-hand to support and advise with securing a defibrillator in time for the June 1st deadline. There is also a new support page and guidance information available on our website.

"So often in our wonderful sport, we hear people say that 'boxing saved my life', and whilst that is true for so many, this vital piece of equipment at fifty new boxing clubs across the country could quite literally save lives for years to come.

"Thank you to Charlotte, and all the staff, volunteers and clubs that are part of the Maverick Stars Trust family. I know your efforts are greatly appreciated by EB's clubs."

Life Saver!!

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Life Saver!!

A Maverick Stars Ambassador has been speaking of the importance of CPR and defibrillators after being called into action when a gym member suffered a cardiac arrest.

Wimborne ABC head coach Dave Rimmer performed CPR on Zoe Cluett after she collapsed during a training session. Dave continued to implement his first aid skills and called for the club's defib, which was then put to use.

Thankfully, all efforts were successful and Zoe's pulse and breathing returned. An otherwise fit and healthy 36-year-old, Zoe was back in the gym to see her friends just three weeks later.

Maverick Stars has launched the campaign 'Keep the Beat', providing vital defibs to fifty boxing gyms nationwide. The campaign, spearheaded by our ambassador April Hunter, is in conjunction with PGCPR.

Click to hear Dave and Zoe's story.....

Champ Backs ‘Keep the Beat’

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Champ Backs 'Keep the Beat'

World champion boxer Savannah Marshall is backing a new campaign to save lives by providing vital defibrillators for boxing clubs.

Maverick Stars founder Charlotte Gilley, Savannah Marshall and April Hunter

‘Keep the Beat – Maverick’s Restart a Heart’ aims to raise awareness of CPR techniques along with donating 50 defibs to amateur gyms nationwide. The initiative is headed up by the charity’s ambassador April Hunter who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner to cardiac arrest in 2018.

Middleweight titlist Savannah said: “I know many amateur clubs that just run on donations and funding; they don't even charge the boxers, so all these things help. They're [defibrillators] a lot of money so I can't imagine there'd be many clubs with the funding for their own. “

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in ten. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.

“To this day, I’ve really struggled with depression about him [Paul]. It’s a battle every day,” said April. “When Paul passed away, it could have been a simple thing of putting him on his side and clearing his airways and he might still be here today.”

Maverick Stars Trust is now committed to providing 50 defibrillators to amateur boxing clubs most in need. It will help meet the requirement that every England Boxing member club will need to have access to and know how to use a life-saving defibrillator by 1st June 2022.

Maverick Campaign for Boxing Club Defibs

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Maverick Campaign for Boxing Club Defibs

Maverick Stars Trust has launched a nationwide initiative to provide vital defibrillators and CPR awareness for England Boxing member clubs. Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years.

April Hunter

Helping to educate and enable people to act when an incident occurs is a cause close to the heart of Maverick ambassador April Hunter, whose family has established the charity PGCPR, which has set up a free app that assists in delivering CPR.

The Geordie boxer’s cousin, Paul Gardner, died on his 24th birthday while on holiday in 2018 and April has campaigned for better CPR awareness ever since.

“He (Paul) was in Ibiza with his friends and he got into difficulty in the water,” April explained. “He was the only one who knew CPR. He was still breathing; his heart was still beating when he was out of the water.

“Even if someone knew CPR, you never know, but it would have been nice if someone there had given him the best chance. I want to highlight the importance of CPR and defibs.”

April’s friend and training partner Savannah Marshall has also pledged her support to the Maverick Stars defib campaign. The middleweight world champion attended a recent meeting to launch the campaign alongside football legend and Maverick ambassador Shay Given.

Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in 10. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.

Maverick Stars Trust is now committed to providing 50 defibrillators to amateur boxing clubs most in need. It will help meet the requirement that every England Boxing member club will need to have access to and know how to use a life-saving defibrillator by 1st June 2022.