Train Like a GB Boxer

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Train Like a GB Boxer

Young people in Manchester were treated to a two-week summer holiday project delivered by Olympic hopefuls Delicious Orie and Conner Tudsbury.

Based at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club, the pair ran sessions for local boys and girls aimed at giving them an insight into what it takes to become a champion. The initiative included boxing training, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice and general mentoring. All participants were provided with a nutritious meal at each session.

Super-heavyweight Delicious and Conner, who competes at light-heavy, are part of the GB Boxing team. It's been a huge year for 'DJ' who has won both Commonwealth and European gold medals, and qualified for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Conner is working at following his friend to the Games next year.

The Maverick Stars Trust 'Train Like a GB Boxer' iniatiative was delivered in association with Thermal Road Repairs - a Cheshire-based company that is committed to supporting the communities in which they work.

Community Champ Conner

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Community Champ Conner

Winning boxing accolades has always been the norm for Conner Tudsbury, but claiming titles away from the ring is something new. The Maverick Stars ambassador has been commended for his community work by GB Boxing.

The award was presented to Conner at the team's end of year awards night in Sheffield. Conner has been working with Maverick Stars for three years, helping to deliver initiatives such as 'Train Like an Olympian' and 'Fit and Fed' at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club. Both programmes offer free training sessions and nutritious meals for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We always knew Conner was an all-round star - now everyone at GB Boxing does too!

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.

 

Food Community Hub Continues

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Food Community Hub Continues

Despite half term coming to an end, Maverick Stars is committed to continue providing free meals for children and families in need.
 
To date, more than 50,000 families nationwide have been fed since the start of the first lockdown.
 
'The 'Fit and Fed' and 'Holiday Hunger' programmes have proved a huge success as part of the Maverick Stars 'Food Community Hub' initiative. With the second lockdown now upon us, more families will need our assistance.
 
"We will continue with our food programmes for as long as we need to," explained Maverick Stars founder Charlotte Gilley. "It's been rewarding to see the success of our initiatives although obviously we'd rather families weren't in need in what is such a testing time for so many."
 
Pictured: Gemini ABC in Liverpool over half term
Children between the ages of five and 15 were able to attend a one hour boxing session every day, followed by a free launch.
 
Elsewhere, Jennings Gym in Lancashire have been working with Maverick Stars and Bees Country Kitchen to provide food daily for children in Chorley.
 
The meal pack contains a full adult size meal and a cake/fruit, complying with school nutrition guidelines.

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.

Chantelle’s Fighting Hunger

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Chantelle's Fighting Hunger

Maverick Stars ambassador Chantelle Cameron is punching above her weight to ensure vulnerable families receive vital food packages during lockdown.

The Northampton super-lightweight fighter has taken charge of the charity's ‘Community Food Hub’ initiative in her home town to help combat hunger and isolation in disadvantaged areas. The initiative began in inner-city areas of Manchester and Liverpool but has now branched out to other regions.

“I really wanted Maverick Stars to run this programme in Northampton,” Chantelle explained. “I spoke to the charity’s founder Charlotte Gilley and asked if we could set it up here. She got it all arranged and now we’re helping people out.

“I’m working with Delapre Primary School, delivering food parcels to people’s homes and it’s a real eye opener. Some days it can make you feel really sad because you can see how people are suffering. But it’s a good thing to do and it makes you want to help them even more.

“I’m grateful that Northampton’s now getting support but I’m hoping that other people can get involved in what we’re doing so we can extend the project.”

Working with Maverick Stars Trust has been a good distraction for Chantelle during these uncertain times. Inactivity is the curse for all professional athletes, but Chantelle is doing everything she can to stay on course for whenever boxing returns.

“I’m doing lots of cycling and ticking over training-wise,” Chantelle said. “I’m also doing loads of mental training, how to stay positive and how to deflect negative thoughts. I’ve been using this time to my advantage to stay prepared.

“It’s frustrating as I was due to get a world title shot this month (May). It was all looking great, dreams were coming true for me, but it’s just another pause.”

If any local businesses are in a position to donate any dried food products (pasta/rice etc), please contact: enquiries@maverickstars.co.uk

Or please visit our just giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/CROWDFUNDING/JAMIE-MOORE-889

Thousands Fed in Lockdown

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Thousands Fed in Lockdown

Maverick Stars has delivered food to nearly 15 thousand homes during the last five weeks of lockdown.

As the country continues to be gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, our team of ambassadors and volunteers have been on the frontline making sure those most in need are receiving food parcels. Maverick Stars has teamed up with 17 boxing clubs throughout England as part of the Community Food Hub initiative with teams operating in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire, West Midlands and Greater London.

The initiative, which has cost the charity £36,000 to date, is set to continue until mid-May. Please help us continue our work by donating to:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamie-moore-889

Keeping Fed While School’s Out

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

In these worrying and uncertain times, Maverick Stars has again stepped in to make sure hundreds of vulnerable children will stay nourished until the Covid-19 crisis eases and schools re-open.

The charity has enjoyed great success with its ‘Fit and Fed’ initiatives which combine boxing training and nutrition through the holidays to combat hunger, inactivity and isolation in disadvantaged areas.

‘Fit and Fed’ has now merged with the Maverick Stars ‘Sting Like a Bee’ programme which uses boxing clubs to provide opportunities to hundreds of young people at risk of knife crime and other anti-social problems.

Although boxing gyms are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, coaches are still making sure their young members are receiving food packages and training advice, whilst respecting social distancing.

Each participating club has been funded by Maverick Stars to feed 25+ young people each day for the next four weeks. Any boxing clubs interested in participating should fill in the form available on: www.maverickstars.co.uk

The latest Maverick Stars initiative is supported by mental health and homeless charities Manchester Mind and Back on Track Manchester.

Picture: Maverick Ambassadors [L-R] - Nigel Travis, Danny Wright, Jamie Moore, Aqib Fiaz, Eric Noi, Thomas McDonagh

East Brighton ABC – School Holiday Programme

Posted on by Maverick Stars Trust

Recently-established East Brighton ABC in Sussex is the second club to be given support from the Maverick Stars Trust as they bid to engage young people during the 2019 school holidays.

East Brighton ABC’s bid to engage – and feed – young people

East Brighton ABC operate out of the Crew Club youth centre in the Whitehawk ward, on the outskirts of the city, and an area that is unfortunately one of significant deprivation.

The club was created by centre staff just over three years ago, when a growing number of young people highlighted that they would like to take up the sport.

Darren Snow MBE, Crew Club Manager, took up the challenge – and has been leading the club ever since.

In partnership with The Maverick Stars Trust and England Boxing, East Brighton ABC are looking to engage a group of young people throughout the schools holidays of 2019 – Easter, Summer and Autumn.

They will be looking to upskill a young and engaged boxer from the club to assist with coaching and develop their leadership skills, while also providing a group of young people the opportunity to learn a new sport through the GB Boxing Awards programme.

The young people will also get a healthy meal at the end of each training session, at a time when many of them – having usually received free school meals during term time – would otherwise be inactive, disengaged and hungry.

The target audience

The target audience is 20-plus young disadvantaged people from the East Brighton area, aged 10 to 16.

What will the project achieve?

To engage new participants in the sport of boxing, relieve anti-social behaviour and disengagement of young people during school holiday periods, and to alleviate holiday hunger among the participants.

Additionally, a young boxer will gain skills in coaching and leadership throughout the programme and their subsequent Level 1 qualification.

The long-term sustainability of the project

Long-term, the club will seek to raise funds with the 20-plus young people involved, by hosting community events that will ensure the holiday sessions can continue into the future.

The club will also use this project as a starting point to apply for future funding from other grant providers, who believe in the outcomes and can see the value of the project in 2019.

Contact East Brighton ABC

If you want to box at East Brighton, or get involved as a volunteer, you can email contact@eastbrightonabc.co.uk or call 0127 3608607.

GEMINI FIT AND FED

Gemini FIT AND FED

Posted on by Maverick Stars Trust

 

Based at Gemini Amateur Boxing Club in Speke, the project will take place throughout the summer holidays and provide activities and nutrition for youngsters aged from eight to sixteen. For five hours each day, children will be enjoying sports and games including: boxing, football, basketball, drama, street dance and arts and crafts. There will also be leadership and mentoring sessions.

The programme has been designed to help overcome the combined problems of hunger, inactivity and isolation that some young people suffer when away from the structure and routine of school. Parents will also be encouraged to come along and get involved and also learn more about eating healthily on a budget.

Gemini ABC Head Coach John Rice said: “Unfortunately the holidays can be really hard for a lot of families that are struggling financially. There is nothing for kids to do and with no free school meals, there’s often a shortage of food as well.

“The programme will keep our young people engaged and off the streets. They’ll have fun, learn about nutrition and learn new skills. They’ll also get the chance to go to a local festival where they can interact with their peers from different areas and cultures.”To prepare for the summer, Gemini ABC ran a hugely successful ‘Fit and Fed’ pilot project over the Easter holidays (images attached).

The ‘Fit and Fed’ programme is one of a series of initiatives supported by Maverick Stars. Charity founder Charlotte Gilley said: “We’re helping and advising boxing clubs and individuals throughout the north west and beyond. We want young people to get the best opportunities through boxing, so our partnership with Gemini is a perfect fit.”For more information about Gemini ABC’s ‘Fit and Fed’ programme, contact Mark O’Brien on 07943 215985.