Time to Talk at Ricky’s Club

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Time to Talks at Ricky's Club

A unique initiative encouraging men to get active and to talk through their issues has been launched at Elite Community boxing club in Bolton.

In partnership with Maverick Stars Trust, 'Ricky's Club' is named after Ricky Fletcher, a friend of Elite head coach Alex Matvienko, who took his own life. The sessions are available to anyone who feels they need someone to talk to or just to listen to. 

There were 5,224 suicides in the UK in 2020. "We just want to help anyone who is feeling isolated or those that maybe just need help in getting off the sofa and out of the house," Alex said. "Socialising is important, particularly as the pandemic continues to affect everyone."

The first Ricky's Club session takes place from 7.30pm, Tuesday, 21 December at Wordsworth Mill, Wordsworth St, Bolton BL1 3ND

Final Push for Timperley

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Final Push for Timperley

Timperley ABC has launched a campaign to raise extra funds needed for a vital gym extension. Local MP Sir Graham Brady has thrown his weight behind the cause following years of red tape and rising costs.

It’s been four years of frustration for head coach Mark Davidson, who’s been working with Maverick Stars Trust founder Charlotte Gilley to secure the refurb which would allow more children from the Broomwood estate to train.

The tiny space can only accommodate 14 young boxers for each session and Mark has been forced to turn young people away and back onto the streets as a result. So far, with Maverick’s financial support, funding from sports bodies, club fundraising and local donations, Timperley ABC has managed to raise £450,000 for the extension. After overcoming planning and lease hurdles, the club has now been hit by increased building costs.

Sir Graham, MP for Altrincham and Sale West said: “It’s a very small space, a very crowded and tightly packed boxing gym. The club is achieving a huge amount. With the better facilities they’re working to raise money for, they can do so much more and I’m certainly happy to support that.”

The club is calling on local businesses or individuals to support this vital community hub and help raise the final funds it needs to complete the project. If you'd like to get involved, please contact: enquiries@maverickstars.co.uk

Bright Future for Female Coaches

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Maverick Stars Trust is supporting ten female boxing coaches to deliver bespoke activities at their respective gyms. 

The latest initiative, where each coach receives £2,500 to create a programme based on their community’s specific needs, follows on from the residential weekend which took place at the home of GB Boxing in Sheffield earlier this year. Maverick Stars also supported that project – designed to help support and upskill female boxing coaches.

The coaches who took part in the residential course and have benefited from the extra Maverick funding, are:

Kate Newton – Rathbone (London), Igne Vaitkunaite – High Wycombe (Home Counties), Naadrah Hafeez – Gladiators (Yorkshire), Kara Mikolajczyk – Mikey’s (Midlands), Claire Salisbury – Jewellery Quarter (Midlands), Donna Harvey-Arnell – Ipswich (Eastern Counties), Louise Vidor – Bright Star (Midlands), Sally Webb – Priory Park (Midlands), Kerry Norfolk – Norwich City (Eastern Counties) and Samantha Fawcett – Warrington (Merseyside and Cheshire).

 

DJ’s Chance to Shine

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

DJ's Chance to Shine

Delicious Orie will take his place at the World Boxing Championships in Serbia alongside fighters from 105 countries. The GB super-heavyweight and Maverick Stars ambassador has been selected to take part in the tournament which starts in Belgrade on October 24.

DJ at South Wye ABC

It has been an eventful year for ‘DJ’ who travelled to Japan as chief sparring partner for eventual Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke. The Wolverhampton fighter - born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father – now has the chance to impose himself on the world scene.

“Having Big Frazier there and learning from him has been very, very valuable for me,” DJ explained. “Not just the Olympics but competing for GB in Lithuania and just the training and the GB life I’ve been having for the past year and a half. It’s led nicely to the Worlds.

“Qualification is just on a selection basis. If the Heads [coaches] at GB think you can medal and you’re good enough, then they’ll enter you for it at that weight class. I’m glad I’ve been given the opportunity and grateful that the coaches know I’m ready for it. All I have to do now is go in there and do it! It’s that easy!

“The whole aim really is to get the experience and to raise my profile and let the other boxers and the world know that I’m here, I’m working hard, I’m going to be here for a good few years as an amateur until the Olympics. This is like a good first entrance into the real, proper international world stage.”

For the first time, tournament organisers AIBA are putting up significant prize money with gold medalists in each category receiving $100,000, silver medalists $50,000, and both bronze medalists awarded $25,000.

“It’s a good little bonus, extra incentive to get up in the morning and train!” DJ laughed.

Along with his busy GB commitments, DJ also finds time to support Maverick Stars initiatives at South Wye ABC in Hereford.

“I’ve been trying to go down there every week. When I’m done here in Sheffield, I drive down to Hereford to support the kids. I wouldn’t call myself a coach, but I go there to give advice about boxing, not just the technical side, but how to cope with pressure of competitions, the diet, how to train, stuff like that. The coaches say I’m a positive role model and that’s the aim, what I’m trying to achieve.”

 

 

A Maverick Hunter

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

A Maverick Hunter

Geordie boxing prospect April Hunter has joined forces with Maverick Stars to spearhead a campaign to raise CPR awareness and provide vital defibrillators.

The unbeaten fighter joins the charity as ambassador and, along with continuing her success in the ring, is determined to succeed in highlighting a cause very close to her heart.  Her cousin Paul Gardner died on his 24th birthday whilst on holiday in 2018. The PGCPR app was set up in his name to raise funds to buy defibrillators for the North Shields area where Paul and April were born and raised.

"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 but........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. It's something I want to do."

April will work with Maverick Stars while she continues in her quest for a world title. A talented footballer who was once on Newcastle's books, the 26year old fights in her home city on Saturday (16th October) on a bill which includes her friend Savanah Marshall, Chris Eubank Jr, and fellow Maverick Stars ambassador Brad Rea. All the action is live on Sky Sports.

Coaching Masterclass

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Coaching Masterclass

The English Institute of Sport was the venue for a hugely successful female coaching development programme. The residential weekend in Sheffield, supported by Maverick Stars Trust, hosted trainers from across the country.

Ten selected coaches made the trip to the home of England Boxing and GB Boxing.  Under the guidance of Laura Sargeant and Amanda Coulson,  coaches took part in practical and reflection sessions covering all aspects of development and learning.  Maverick Stars was happy to cover the cost of accommodation which allowed all coaches to get the most out of the two day course.

Laura said: "Amanda and myself would once again like to thank Maverick Stars Trust for their support in this truly amazing programme.

“Extended thank yous also go out to Talent Pathway Coach Phil Knight and his boxers from Lionheart Boxing Academy, who helped with the practical elements of the sessions and Chris Porter, England Boxing’s Coaching Consultant, for delivering a great session on boxer-coach relationships.

“Finally, we’d like to thank Lorna Moser, Rachel Bower, Caroline Dent and Vicky Connor for their continued fantastic mentorship to the coaches during this programme.”

Coaches on the 2021 FCDP programme:  Kate Newton – Rathbone (London), Igne Vaitkunaite – High Wycombe (Home Counties), Naadrah Hafeez – Gladiators (Yorkshire), Kara Mikolajczyk – Mikey’s (Midlands), Claire Salisbury – Jewellery Quarter (Midlands), Donna Harvey-Arnell – Ipswich (Eastern Counties), Louise Vidor – Bright Star (Midlands), Sally Webb – Priory Park (Midlands), Kerry Norfolk – Norwich City (Eastern Counties) and Samantha Fawcett – Warrington (Merseyside and Cheshire).

 

Train Like a GB Boxer

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Train Like a GB Boxer

Maverick Stars ambassador Conner Tudsbury and James Perry have launched a new initiative at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club this week, giving kids the chance to train like a member of Team GB.

Running over two weeks, sessions include nutrition tips, Olympic style training and meal preps.

We would like to thank Naturally Nourish Meal Prep for supporting us and providing free meals for the project.

DJ Throwing Shapes

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

DJ Throwing Shapes

A special guest dropped into a recent Maverick Veterans session at a Hereford gym. GB Boxer Delicious Orie - recently returned from the Tokyo Games - used his significant talents to put participants through their paces.

The initiative at South Wye Police Boxing Club is part of Maverick Stars Trust's 'Operation Warrior' - providing support and opportunities for veterans of the British Armed Forces.  Many vets encounter mental and physical health problems upon leaving the forces - boxing has a positive effect on confidence, motivation and and stress levels.

Delicious (DJ for short) is a Maverick Stars ambassador who works across a range of projects for the charity. The Wolverhampton super-heavyweight - born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father - is a key member of Team GB and recently returned from Japan where he helped his teammate, and eventual bronze medallist Frazer Clarke, prepare for the tournament.  The experience has made the 23year even hungrier to qualify for Paris 2024 and and ultimately take his place on the podium.

 

Jazza’s Ready for Action

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Jazza Ready for Action

Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens is ready for his world title tilt and is already planning his next project – helping families struggling with addiction. The 30year old takes on old rival Kid Galahad for the IBF Featherweight on Saturday, 7 August.

The pair met as young unbeaten pros in a British title fight in 2013, with the Sheffield man claiming a tenth-round stoppage. But this time, at Matchroom's Fight Camp show live on DAZN, Jazza is expecting a different outcome.

"I think I set my feet a bit better now. When I turned pro people used to say that I needed to plant my feet and I didn't know what they were on about!" Jazza said. "I've grown, I've matured, I'm 30 now. I think maturity is the main factor."

After the fight, Jazza intends to turn his attention to a project he's developed in partnership with Maverick Stars - supporting people who've suffered as a result of addiction. Throughout his childhood, Jazza watched his father Colin struggle with drug dependency. Thankfully, Colin is now twelve years in recovery and the pair will work together to help other families going through similar experiences.

“You lose everything [with addiction] and I think families are usually the last to hold on until they say that they can have no more. You should never lose family. Me and my Dad rebuilt our relationship after a lifetime of addiction, so if we can, we can show a way and work a programme.”

Boxing Education

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Boxing Education

Young Salfordians keen on pursuing a career in boxing, or other sports related jobs, can now follow their dreams at Walkden ABC.

From September (2021) 'The Boxing College' will open its doors to students aged 16 and over. Based at the recently launched Walkden ABC, the 'Educational Boxing Programme' will offer Level 1, 2 & 3 Diploma in Sport along with Level 4, 5 & 6 University Programmes. A classroom has been set up at the gym, allowing boxing training and study to take place all under one roof.

Walkden ABC founder and Maverick Stars ambassador Jamie Moore said: "I was grafting, delivering beer [at the start of his boxing career] and it was a pipe dream  to do boxing day in day out. This would have been my ideal scenario. That's why we've done it."

The Boxing College is holding an Open Day at Walkden ABC (Walkden Town Centre) between 12-2pm on Saturday, 31 July. All are welcome to pop in to find out more.