PCYC becomes 'national boxing hub'

The Umina PCYC is becoming a national hub for the sport of boxing due to the dedication and ambition of its coaching staff.

PCYC Boxing Match Maker Mr Joel Keegan said 2017 was set to be an exciting year for Umina PCYC's burgeoning boxing program, starting with an intensive training camp this month before two local boxers take a training trip to England.

The training camp will be conducted by internationally-renowned coach Mr Bodo Andreass who has been the national coach for Australia, Nigeria, South Africa and East Germany.

Following the camp, 16-year old Jason Fawcett from Brisbane Water Secondary College and Thomas Deakin, 14, from Kincumber High, both of whom train at Umina PCYC, will be travelling to England from January 19 to February 5.

The two-week development tour will be based out of England's own boxing hot spot, Manchester, and will take in as many training and development sessions throughout the north of England as possible.

"We did the trip two years ago and it was a big part of the development we have seen from our boxers since then," Keegan said.

Umina PCYC is one of six clubs that Keegan looks after and he said the program in place at the Umina club "is working".

"What we have done at Umina is working and it is based around a dedicated set of coaching staff who set up the framework to achieve huge goals, including at an international level such as the Commonwealth Games, Olympics and World Championships," he said.

"And when I say commitment and dedication, it is not just time and not just from the coaches.

"The boxers all give up work to attend the England trip and they are all putting their hands in their pocket for every development activity."

Later in the year, Mr Keegan said he hoped to hold a King of the Ring event at Umina PCYC.

Juniors from the club will have the opportunity to compete in national titles in Adelaide in April and the Elite national titles will be held in NSW in June.

Commonwealth Games qualifiers take place in October.

Australian champion female boxer Ms Bianca Elmir has moved to the Peninsula from Canberra in order to complete her Commonwealth Games qualification preparation at Umina PCYC.

Email, 4 Jan 2017

Interview, 4 Jan 2017

Joel Keegan, Umina PCYC

Reporter: Jackie Pearson