As outdoor sports slowly return and gyms finally re-open after covid-lockdown, one parent of a young amateur boxer in Nottingham feels that local boxing clubs are slipping under the radar and being forced to stay closed due to government guidance which has put an insurmountable amount of pressure on them leading to a struggle of survival for clubs like the Phoenix in Gedling.

James Cherrett a father in a boxing participating family stated “I totally support England Boxing and appreciate that these are unprecedented times for them and the safety and well-being of all concerned must be priority. However, I believe with each club being looked at and assessed as an individual establishment rather than ‘one size fits all’ we can move forward in a positive safe way to re-open these clubs which are an essential part of the communities and re-establish British boxing back to its former glory.”

Cherrett said “I’ve had a long conversation with Public Health England this morning, in regards to the opening of amateur boxing clubs, and the guidance that has been set by the Government, as I’m sure you’re fully aware by now, many clubs are starting to struggle in regards to the guidance that has been set.”

He furthered “Amateur boxing produces a large revenue not only for England Boxing but as a taxable income for the Government. It is within the interest of all concerned not only for our boxers but for the economy to allow boxing clubs to open up with realistic COVID restrictions.”

“The 1000 square foot ruling, as I‘m sure you can appreciate, is aimed at gyms, therefore allowing amateur clubs to slip through the net and not to be governed correctly within the guidance sent out by the Government.”

“In turn this has a huge impact on amateur boxing in so far as the mental wellbeing of our boxers, the communities in which they are supported by and also the children that have been saved from gangs and the streets which could easily now re-turn to a life of crime.”

Cherrett suggested that he has taken it upon himself to contact Public Health England as well as England Boxing and Tom Randall, local MP for Gedling Borough in which Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club is a constituent to request that they delve deeper into finding a solution to support boxing clubs during these times and get them back open in a safe way so that children and young adults can start enjoying and exercising in them again.

*Main image @PhoenixABC1 Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club is one of many struggling under covid regulations.