Unsung Hero – Kelvyn Travis

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Kelvyn 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 we focus on a man credited with guiding Audley Harrison to super-heavyweight gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. It was a success story that led to a massive boost in funding for elite amateur boxing in Great Britain, a change that paved the way for Amir Khan, James DeGale, Luke Campbell, Anthony Joshua, Nicola Adams and so many more.

But that contribution barely scratches the surface in terms of the impact and achievements of Oldham’s Kelvyn Travis. In paying homage to the man, Nigel Travis said:

“He’s right up there with the best unsung heroes I’ve ever known. He’s been coaching for more than 50 years and has worked tirelessly with the grassroots of our sport. He’s carried out nearly all his work as a volunteer – many hours in gyms over many, many years.

“He became a national coach and performance coach and helped set up what is now the GB Boxing centre in Sheffield. He was instrumental in all of it and has helped develop some of the elite fighters in our sport, working at the very highest level.

“He works tirelessly as an amateur and professional coach. He is in gyms around the country on a daily basis and is especially important to Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club, where he is simply known as ‘The Boss’.  I might be the head coach at the gym, but I dance to his tune. He’s everything to the gym, and he’s my Dad.”

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via…

twitter: @maverickstars1 / Instagram: maverickstarstrust or our website: www.maverickstars.co.uk

Good News Travels….

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Good News Travels....

It's been a good week in the press for Maverick Stars Trust with publications nationwide giving column inches to our initiatives.

The Star in Sheffield reports....

Owls captain, Barry Bannan, has helped a local charity drive blitz passed their target of £500 as they seek to provide meals for young kids across the city, becoming the latest footballer to play his part following the incredible work being done by Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.

Daniel Barton, of Mentalmate said, “We originally had planned to feed 50 children per day in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust… I shared this plan across social media and had a few queries about how people could also get involved in terms of both food and money donations. So I set up a fundraiser for anyone who wanted to help us reach more children.

In the Bolton News....

A community hub has surpassed its expectations of delivering 150 meals a week to the vulnerable- giving out more than SIX times that amount in just a week. Elite Community Food Hub in Halliwell is now seeking to raise £14,000 to keep going until the end of April, as demand for their service soars.

The hub has been working in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust to deliver food to young people and families around Bolton who would normally rely on school for a nutritious meal per day.

Meanwhile, in Bognor Regis, the Observer has this to say....

Southern Counties club, Bognor Regis ABC, was unable to return to its premises of eight years last July because its landlord needed to rent out the space at full cost, 'to recoup losses due to Covid-19 closures'.

Despite 'standing temporarily homeless', the 98-year-old club can now 'look forward to marking its centenary' thanks to support from the local community.

 

Man of the People

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Man of the People

He's preparing for the biggest night of his boxing career, but Jazza Dickens is still helping others less fortunate in his home city. The affable Liverpudlian takes on Ryan Walsh in the 'Golden Contract' final with the carrot of a lucrative two-year, five-fight deal up for grabs for the winner.

"It's life-changing," Jazza said with a grin. "More than life-changing! It'll put me in a position I've never been in before. It'll put my family in a position they've never been in before. All the sacrifices made - I'm doing it for them, as much as for me and for my community."

Community is a word Jazza mentions often, although his work helping others goes largely goes under the radar. He's currently working on an initiative with Maverick Stars to help families affected by addiction - a subject close to his heart owing to his father's drug addiction and subsequent recovery.

"We need to bring back our communities," Jazza said. "Like the work you're doing at Maverick [Stars], it's amazing work and I'd encourage anyone to try and pick their community up, to get involved because so many things come from it."

Jazza is currently sporting a 'Mo' as part of Movember and all donations will go to the Sisters of Mercy who feed and clothe the homeless in Liverpool city centre. If Jazza reaches his £5,000 target, the moustache will stay in place for the Walsh fight

Meanwhile, the likeable featherweight has been training meticulously for the fight of his life under the guidance of coaching team George Vaughan and Maverick Stars' very own Derry Mathews.  The 29 year-old faces a big challenge against Norfolk-based Walsh - a man he has great respect for - but he's convinced it will be his night under the lights when the pair meet at a tv studio in Wakefield.

"A lot of things make sense coming into this final - the amount of time it's took, the COVID situation. I feel like it's all fallen into place," Jazza added.

Help Jazza help the homeless - https://uk.gofundme.com/f/5000-and-the-muzzy-stays-for-the-fight

Fighting for the Homeless

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Fighting for the Homeless

Derry Mathews has linked up with a homeless charity in Liverpool to provide free boxing sessions for young people.

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

"I'm getting some of them involved in the sport and getting them in [the gym] twice a week," he said. "Hopefully I'm pushing them in the right direction and keeping them occupied and out of trouble.

"Maverick Stars are making sure they're well fed too. It's been brilliant working with Maverick and I look forward to working with them on other projects."

 

 

Plans For Operation Warrior

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Plans For Operation Warrior

Due to the success of our inaugural veterans project on Merseyside, Maverick Stars Trust is set to launch ‘Operation Warrior’ in several other key regions.

The initiative has proved to be a big hit at Gemini ABC in Liverpool, with armed forces veterans taking part in an eight-week programme featuring boxing sessions, team building days, guest speakers and a mental health first aid course.

Maverick Stars has teamed up with Tom Harrison House – a specialist facility which provides an addiction recovery programme exclusively for veterans. Many encounter problems upon leaving the forces, with poor mental and physical health along with low self-confidence key among them.

Maverick Stars trustee Tony Gilley said: "As a veteran myself, this initiative is very important to me. We've had great attendance at each of the sessions we've delivered so far and everyone's really enjoyed themselves. It's vital we carry on growing this project to provide the support and opportunities for people that have served their country so selflessly."

Plans are now in place to open other key hubs once lockdown has eased. Operation Warrior will be launched in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and the North East in the New Year.

Sting Like a Bee – For Burnley

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Sting Like a Bee - For Burnley

Maverick Stars is continuing to punch above its weight with a move into the Premier League!

The charity has joined forces with Burnley FC in the Community (BFCitC) to launch its 'Sting Like a Bee' initiative. Funded by Maverick Stars Trust, young people participating in  ‘Sting Like A Bee’ will benefit from boxing training, along with leadership courses and employment opportunities.

The project will complement BFCitC’s ‘It’s Your Turf’  Premier League Kicks Targeted programme which breaks the cycle of youth violence within communities. BFCitC delivers more than 50 community programmes, helping people of all ages and backgrounds in Burnley and the surrounding area.

Ged Byrne, BFCitC Youth Crime Reduction Manager said: "It's fantastic to link up with Maverick Stars - a charity we know all about due to the work they do throughout boxing.

"We'll be working to get young people referred to the 'Sting Like a Bee' programme through our partners at Social Care, Youth Offending Team, Police Early Action and local schools. This is the start of a great collaboration!"

The ‘Sting Like a Bee’ project will be based out of 5-Ways Boxing Academy in Burnley,

"Like many towns, we have our problems in Burnley but projects like this are vital in helping guide our young people down the right road," said Head Coach Kevin Dand. "Anyone that's ever stepped in a boxing club will tell you what a positive environment it is.

"Along with helping kids get fit and healthy, it's great that we will be able to offer opportunities like doing coaching badges and first aid courses."

Quigg’s Next Challenge

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Quigg's Next Challenge

Former world champion Scott Quigg has joined forces with Maverick Stars for the next chapter of his career - helping to guide young people down the right path in his hometown, Bury.

The ex-WBA super-bantamweight champion decided to hang up the gloves after his last fight against Jono Carroll in March, and is now looking forward to his next challenge.

"I've achieved a lot in my career and I've enjoyed it," Scott explained. "People know I didn't finish school, I had no education but I was very fortunate I had a mum and dad that supported me. I had people that offered me help and direction and they helped me create a path to go on and achieve something. I know how difficult my life would have been without those people around me.

"I want to create opportunities for teenagers who are at a crossroads and might be getting into a bit of bother. Also, I want to help teenagers that are excelling in school - give them opportunities to go even further."

Scott will be spearheading Maverick Stars 'Sting Like a Bee' initiative in Bury. The programme, which helps to tackle anti-social behaviour by providing boxing training and employment opportunities, has proved to be a big success in the nine other boroughs of Greater Manchester and is now being delivered in other parts of the UK.

"I've seen what Maverick Stars has done - through a mutual friend we were connected," Scott said. "The town of Bury has done so much for me - boxing was banned in Bury but the council overturned that so I could fight in my home town. I think we can do really good things with help from Maverick Stars."

 

Leading the Way

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Leading the Way

Maverick Stars ambassadors Danny Wright and Aqib Fiaz have launched a new coaching initiative aimed at getting Salford kids fighting fit.

The initiative - based at Peel Park, Little Hulton and delivered in partnership with Salford CVS - is encouraging children aged 8+ to attend two free boxing sessions each week. Leading the way is former professional boxer Danny and current super-featherweight prospect Aqib.

Along with working with Maverick Stars, Danny also works for top promoter Steve Wood in his ViP boxing equipment business, while Aqib is preparing for his rescheduled fight with Kane Baker.

 

Derry’s Fit and Fed

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Derry's Fit and Fed

A Maverick Stars Fit and Fed programme has been an overwhelming success in Liverpool. Based at Derry Mathew's gym, the initiative proved so popular that extra sessions had to be scheduled.

The scheme was launched to ensure young people received a nourishing meal each day combined with social-distanced training throughout the summer. Many who initially turned up at the gym just to get fed, have since been bitten by the boxing bug and are now attending regular sessions.

It's a busy time for Derry who's combining his duties as an amateur coach, with helping Jazza Dickens prepare for the biggest fight of his life against Ryan Walsh.

To watch the full interview, click below.

Crolla’s Latest Gym Blow

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Crolla's Latest Gym Blow

Anthony Crolla's hopes of rebuilding his old amateur boxing club have been dealt a huge blow. The Manchester boxing legend's gym - Fox ABC in Failsworth - was destroyed in a fire in March.

Working in partnership with Maverick Stars, Crolla had earmarked a property to rehouse the the club, but his plans have now been scuppered. It's back to square one as the former world lightweight champion and his Fox colleagues search for new premises close to the old site.

(pic: Fox ABC founder Jimmy Lewis with Anthony Crolla)

Click below for the full story.....