As you may be aware, over the past few months, ABS Coach & Club Development Officer James Docherty has been carrying out regular visits to ABS clubs across all three Districts. James has been taking each club through a development questionnaire as well as the Club Focus questionnaire. The website feature has now been put together and is ready to be published regualrly on the ABS website.
The first ever club to take part in the feature was Cleland Miner’s ABC
Cleland Miners ABC
On Wednesday 8th February 2012 Cleland Miners ABC became the first everABS Club to take part in the new ABS feature Club Focus. The Club Focus feature has been designed as a regular feature for the ABS website, which will give everyone an insight into the various clubs around the country, where they came from, some background on the club, who is involved and how they operate. The visit also doubles up as an opportunity to take the clubs through a development questionnaire and highlight any areas where they might require assistance from Amateur Boxing Scotland. I met with Cleland Miners ABC Delegate and working official, Susan Silcock to go through the development questionnaire before taking one of the club coaches and a boxer through the Club Focus
Questionnaire.
What’s your name and what is your role
within the club?
Ronnie Blackburn – Head Coach
Where did the club get its name from?
The club is named after the local town where it is based.
Who founded the club and when?
Ally Gilmour founded the club in 1986
What was your first introduction to boxing?
My Grandfather took me to McGinness’ under Walter McGowan when I was a kid. I loved it and have been involved with boxing ever since.
How long have you been involved with the club and with amateur boxing?
I have been involved with the club for around 14 years and have been involved with amateur boxing for around 37 years.
How did you first get into coaching?
I was training at Cleland once I had stopped boxing and offered to help them with the coaching. They accepted and here I am as head coach 14 years later.
What do you enjoy most about being a coach?
Seeing the boxers improve, prosper and develop, but not just in the
ring. You notice loads of other changes and improvements in their general
health, weight, well-being, confidence and self-esteem. It is very satisfying and rewarding to see the difference you can make to people of all ages who come through the door. Some start off shy, reserved and low in confidence, then, within a few weeks when they are known within the club, they start to feel a part of it and start to show real signs of improvement.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a boxing coach?
I’d probably still be doing boxing training of some sort. I enjoy keeping fit, so I would have some spare time to do that.
How many registered boxers does the club currently have?
At the moment we have fifteen registered boxers including one female.
Is that number up or down from last season and why?
It is roughly the same as last season, as we have limited space here and not everyone who trains at the gym wants to register and compete as a boxer.
How can the club increase the number of registered boxers?
We could probably increase the numbers if we had bigger premises to operate in.
What would you say your club does really
well?
Our training methods are varied organised and we try to make them as challenging as possible where and when appropriate.
Is there anything you think the club could do better?
I would like to provide more classes and more variety for the users. We do fine just now, but I feel with bigger premises and more coaches/instructors, we could offer a bigger variety to attract new users/members.
What advice would you give to someone looking to open a new club?
They must be prepared to work hard, put in the effort and commit to the club to make it a success but the rewards are well worth all the time and effort you put in.
What would you say is the most important factor for running a successful club?
If you have everyone chipping in with time and effort and pulling in the same direction, that is half the battle. The other one is a club spirit, you need to get to know all the users, especially the younger ones to keep them interested as they get bored quickly.
What is the most challenging part about being a coach and/or running a boxing club?
Time commitments, it is difficult to commit so much of your time to the club and still have time to work, be a parent, have leisure time etc but we have enough people helping in the club now, to give everyone some time off if and when required.
Do you currently have any champions at the club at District, Scottish, GB or other level?
Thomas Coles is the Novice and Intermediate Champion, Jack Nicholas is the Novice and Western District Champion and we have Danny Cooper who is theWestern District Champion.
Have any ofthe Club’s Boxers/former Boxers ever competed at a major international event?
Dan McGinn and Chris Steele have both represented Scotland at the GB Championships and Home Internationals.
Can you recall one of your proudest/happiest moments as a coach?
I have loads to choose from, but two I can think of are Dan McGinn representing Scotland at the GB Championships, as he has been training with us since he was 11 years old, also Thomas Coles winning the Intermediates and representing Scotland at the GB Championships.
Who is your favourite boxer of all time and why?
Mohammad Ali – He had everything. He had class, a great attitude, a great boxing brain, variety, hand speed, you name it. I could go on all day about Ali to be honest. He was different class and we will probably never see his likes in the Heavy-weight division again.
Club Focus interview
with a Cleland Miners ABC registered boxer
What’s your name and how old are you?
Jack Nicholas, I’m 12 years old
How did you first get into boxing?
I tried it when I was 8 years old to see if I would like it. I really enjoyed it and have done boxing ever since.
How long have you been boxing?
Since I was 8 years old, so around 4 years now.
How many contests have you had?
I’ve had 10 contests so far.
How many times have you represented Scotland and who against?
None yet, but hopefully I will in the future, as that is one of my
aims.
Have you ever attended the Development Squad training and where was it held?
Yes,I’ve attended it once at Forgewood ABC.
Would you say boxing has had a positive impact on your life and why?
Yes, it definitely has. Boxing has given me more confidence, improved my fitness and makes me feel better about myself.
What do you enjoy most about being a boxer?
I enjoy sparring and I really enjoy winning contests and obviously winning championships.
What is the worst/hardest thing about being a boxer?
Trying to control your weight for Championships.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a boxer?
I’d probably be sitting about the house playing my X-Box.
What do you see yourself doing in five/ten year’s time?
I’d love to be a full Scotland International, representing Scotland regularly and being recognised for my achievements.
Who is your favourite boxer of all time and why?
Amir Khan – As he is a smart, classy boxer and a great athlete. He doesn’t drink alcohol and keep 
himself in great shape.
If you could be any athlete in the world, ever, who would you want to be and why?
Amir Khan – As he is an amazing boxer and a great athlete.
Thank you to Susan Silcock, Ronnie Blackburn and Jack Nicholas of Cleland Miners ABC
for taking part in the ABS Club Focus feature.
