TWO Fine Gael councillors were bobbing and weaving like prize fighters this week after allocating money for the purchase of a ring for one city boxing club.
And councillors Daniel Butler and Sarah Kiely even donned the gloves and entered the battleground at West End Boxing Club, based at Our Lady of Lourdes School. The pair were delighted to be able to support the purchase of the ring for the young club, looking to support boxers in the Ballinacurra area, and further afield.
“Being from the area myself and now a councillor here I know the value of clubs like West End Boxing Club to the community especially to the young people and their families,” Cllr Kiely commented.
“Being able to support this purchase in a small way is great but there is much more needed for the club and the community.”
Cllr Butler said from his time working in the area as a drug education and prevention worker, he has seen first-hand the benefit the discipline of boxing has on young people’s lives.
“It gives them a focus and framework to succeed not just in the ring but in school and beyond,” Cllr Butler explained.
While the club is fairly young, it has already experienced success and has a strong membership of youngsters who are excited about the new ring and the prospects for them in the future.
Our Lady of Lourdes currently plays host to the West End Boxing Club, having seen the benefit to its students within the school.
“Huge tribute needs to be paid to the foresight of Our Lady of Lourdes School Principal Peter Jennings in supporting the club so wholeheartedly finally giving them a home that they need. We need to see more of this kind cooperation within the community to support young people to grow and flourish. More diversionary activities are required within the community to give young people a route away from more negative activities that young people can be exploited to do,” Cllr Butler added.
Cllr Kiely agreed that more resources and supports are needed in the Ballinacurra area, particularly for young people and their families.
“It would seem they have not seen the same level of investment as other regeneration communities. While we have provided a small level of support to West End Boxing Club we need to see more local agencies and local volunteers step up to ensure the future success and sustainability of the club,” she concluded.
West End Boxing Club can be contacted via Facebook and via email on westendbc@yahoo.com if you or anyone would like to get involved or support the club.
