Sheffield Steel Stars

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Sheffield Steel Stars

Maverick Stars Trust has launched a new partnership using football and boxing to help change young lives. The charity is working with Sheffield Wednesday FC and the Steel City Gym to deliver a series of workshops for local schoolchildren.

Sheffield's most successful amateur boxer Dalton Smith, now a leading light in the pro ranks, will be heading up the project along with boxing coach Pearce Gudgeon. The ‘Sting Like a Bee’ programme tackles issues such as conflict and anger management whilst encouraging team building and exercise.

"I go back to my childhood days, and it's something I didn't have when I was young," Dalton said. "You don't have to be a boxer, but if I can give something back, then it's nice for me to do that."

Head of Community at Sheffield Wednesday, Marcus Brameld added: "We're working with hard-to-reach kids, to give them the opportunity to come into a gym like this will be fantastic. I can only see it growing from here. It'll be great to see kids aspire to Dalton's level.”

To celebrate the launch of the initiative, members of the Sheffield Wednesday Academy took part in a training session at the gym. Click below to see how they got on.

Unsung Heroes – Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Heroes - Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis

Jamie Moore
Nigel Travis

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 it's a double whammy, with training team Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis in the spotlight. Nominated by Sean McGoldrick - Commonwealth Gold medallist and top professional (10-1) - the pair train their pro stable at the ViP Gym and also head up respective amateur gyms, Walkden ABC and Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club.

"They're all for the boxers. They put a lot of time and effort into us, especially through this pandemic," Sean said.

"They never seek the attention or the glory, they pass it on to the boxers. They help with general day-to-day stuff. Any problems or anything, they're always there. They're just good people."

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

@maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Love for Boxing in Lancashire

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Love for Boxing in Lancashire

Sport and politics  combined once again to celebrate the launch of a new partnership at a Lancashire gym. Maverick Stars Trust is working with Love ABA Police Boxing Club on a series of new initiatives.

L-R Charlotte Gilley (Maverick Stars Founder), Jake Berry MP, Paddy Connellan

The Rawtenstall gym, under the guidance of Paddy Connellan, has benefited from the charity's 'subs for clubs' initiative. All members trained for free for the first two months post-lockdown. The project gave the club a financial boost and supported 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. The award will ensure the club continues its excellent community work.

"Now we have got a couple of coaches that come through the day one day a week, that opens up avenues," said Paddy. "We want to expand, we want to open it up to kids with autism, we haven't got that available to us at the moment but people have asked us for it."

To celebrate the new partnership, Jake attended a boxing session and even pulled on the gloves - albeit briefly! He said: "It's fantastic to see the work being done with so many young people; but in fact, an ABC is a lot more than that.

"I have lived in Rossendale for over a decade and I didn't know about the community work that is being done here, the outreach work to help people get back into the workplace, learn real self-worth, discipline, fitness.

“It's just brilliant to see it. It's a facility with boxing at its heart but this place goes so far beyond that."

 

Great and the Good at Walkden

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Great and the Good at Walkden Launch

It was a who's who from the world of boxing and celebrity as Walkden ABC officially opened its doors.

The club - in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust - has been open for business since COVID restrictions were eased, but Wednesday 23 June marked its inauguration as a community boxing hub. The new facility at Walkden Town Centre has been a labour of love for former British and European champion Jamie Moore and Maverick Stars founder Charlotte Gilley.

“It's been a couple of years of hard work, but it's fantastic to see this gym finally up and running. Along with Jamie, there are so many brilliant coaches and volunteers involved," Charlotte said.

Those present included Jamie's fellow coaches Nigel Travis, Kelvin Travis, and Danny Wright along with current fighters Jack Catterall, Aqib Fiaz, Tursynbay Kulakhmet, Lerrone Harrison, Marc Leach, Sean McGoldrick and recently retired pair Anthony Crolla and Martin Murray. Local actors Jamie Lomas and Phil Middlemiss were also there to lend their support.

The opening ceremony was a proud moment for Jamie, who had invited Salford radio legend Mike Sweeney to do the honours and cut the red ribbon.

"What a fantastic event and I'm so proud we've finally brought this gym to fruition," Jamie said.  "I grew up around here and I know it's going to be such a valuable asset to the community for generations to come."

 

 

Boxers Like to Trade

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Boxers Like to Trade

A unique project aimed at supporting boxers with financial advice and employment opportunities is proving to be a big hit in Manchester.

Maverick Stars Trust has teamed up with FCI Markets – a leading financial services provider – to deliver a 12-session course at Collyhurst and Moston ABC. The programme teaches 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: “You have to have commitment and discipline to excel in any kind of sport and it’s the same with trading. You need to have that dedication."

The course guides participants through the practicalities of trading, step by step, starting with the basics and working up to analytics, charting and the daily movement of each price, currency and stock. Former IBF featherweight World champion Josh Warrington, an ambassador for FCI Markets, is a big supporter of the initiative.

 

 

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.

 

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

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