Phoenix ABC - Nottingham

Good luck to all our boxers receiving their GCSE results today. Congratulations to those who have done well but to those who haven't done as well as you'd have liked, exams don't define you, your ability or your future. Many people haven't done a well as they wished but gone on to do great things.

Some quality sparring tonight with Izzy from King's Sheffield, Lexi from Touch Gloves, Grantham and our Melina and Saff. Keep up the good work girls 💪🏽🥊

Gym closed tonight - going to be another hot one

We hosted our second presentation evening at the fabulous Greyfriars Club on Friday night and had the best time! Food was amazing, the room was nice and big and the service fantastic. Cant wait to do it all over again next year! Thanks for your hospitality 💚

Finally, a special mention to Suzi Wright. Suzi has supported my boxing journey from the start. This has included being out the house 3 nights a week, plus travelling to other cities for sparring, weekends away on bouts up and down the country and countless hours glued to my phone matching bouts or keeping on top of the locker. The same is true to all the volunteers significant others so thank you!

So that marks the end of another successful season at Phoenix. Thanks to everyone who joined us for our presentation evening, we had a brilliant night. And thank you for everyone who played a part in the last 12 months, members past and present. For those who couldn't make it it, here is a copy of the speech......

Before we get into the awards, I just want to take a moment to thank everybody for being part of
another fantastic season at Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club.

Over the last year, we've attended 59 bouts, recording 17 wins, 27 valuable learning
experiences, and 15 skills bouts, helping develop the next wave of Phoenix boxers. We've had
athletes represent the club at club, regional and national level, as well as competing in some of
the country's most prestigious box cups.
We've had more than 150 boxers come through our doors this year. That simply wouldn't be
possible without our incredible team of volunteers.

First, a huge thank you to our coaching team: Dale, Dan and Pat. Without your commitment,
knowledge and countless hours in the gym, none of this would be possible.

I'd also like to thank Craig, who isn't with us tonight. After six years with the club, he's decided to
hang up the pads. Craig has been a solid source of support to me from day one, and he'll be
greatly missed. Thank you for everything you've done for Phoenix. And also to Geneva who has
now moved onto uni. After having a break from competing, Geneva joined me and her dad
coaching the kids and was a great asset.

Next is a thanks to our assistant coaches Rhys, Haj, Clayton and Henry. Their support and lived
experience of boxing and strength and conditional is invaluable. And a final thanks to Ruby who
has taken on the role of ladies boxfit coach on a Saturday morning.

You probably noticed most of those names were men. Whilst we are all great coaches, we need
organising and that’s where Jo and Christine come in. Jo and Christine are the warm welcome
you all receive when you try and sneak in without registering or paying. They ensure the
club runs smoothly from an administrative point of view which allows the coaches to
concentrate on coaching. They're also our treasurer and welfare officiers ensuring safeguarding
is on point and bills are paid on time. So thank you from all of us for your support in the
background.

This leads us on nicely to our first award. Volunteer of the year. I know you dont like to talk about
it so i'll keep it brief. At the end of last year, Christine received the news no one wants to hear.
We all suggested she takes a little time aware from the club but Christine was firm that nothing
was going to change, she'd still be down the club, giving her time and making us laugh. I wasnt
sure that would be the case but as with when I diagnosed her with “just having a cold” I was
wrong again and she's been down the club as regular as ever and we wouldnt have it any other
way. this is on top of being advised to take it easy after just giving birth to twins. So from all of us
at the club, massive Thank you, the patron saint of the Greyfriars, Christine.

Onto what we all do this for, the boxers. This year, we have mixed up how we have picked our
special recognition awards. Previously, we had best/most improved categories which is great
but talent, recognition and achievement spreads much wider than that. So this year there has
been no set criteria with each coach or volunteer picking a boxer for their own reasons.
So in no particular order I would like to invite up Jack Thompson. Jack hasnt had an easy bout in
his years at Phoenix and always puts on a good show. He's been on the wrong end of a few split
decisions but this season he's had 3 strong wins this season, one of those redeeming one of
those losses.

Next up is Dexter McEwan. He didnt join the gym with natural talent but has bags of work ethic.
Whilst he's one of the fittest, strongest lads in the gym, I dont think any of us thought he'd
compete...including himself. Proud to say he proved us all wrong and has competed 3 times this
season, winning 2 of them.

Next up is Christopher Doran. He's another lad where boxing didnt come naturally for him but
his improvement over the last year has been unreal. Through injury and clashes in calendars
we've only managed to get one skills in for him but excited to see what next season brings for
him.

Next is Pharren Cornish. So Pharren originally joined with a friend. I learnt his name really
quickly, but not for positive reasons. It was mainly to tell him to stop messing about and stop
talking. He left not long after. Then a few months later he came back on his own. Being totally
honest, I wasnt overly interested. But in those few months, he really matured. He shows a solid
work ethic, concertrates, asks questions and asks for sparring opportunities we wouldnt usually
give someone with his experience, yet does himself proud every time. Really excited to get him
his first skills bout in the new season and see how he performs.

Next we have little Owen. All the team love Owen, super polite, little bit cheeky and great banter.
Hes another which has improved drastically in the last 6 months or so. I hope he doesnt mind
me mentioning but when he joined us a couple of years ago, was a little bit chubby. But his hard
work in and out the gym has shifted this and has him fighting fit, hopefully ready to compete
next season.

Next we have our most decorated boxer in the gym, Aliyah. Aliyah is 2025 manchester box up
winner, regional champion, national semi finalist, Haringay box cup finalist and Ed Bilbey box
cup finalist. She now competes with the best girls in the country and shows time after time she
deserves a seat at the table.

Next up we have the biggest character in the gym. I sometimes I cant work out if hes 13 or 30.
We havent been out as much as I'd liked this season but hopefully looking to change that come
September and if he knuckles down, there are some big things to come from him. Jonny Doran.

Next up is Bella Todd, the silent assassin. Super quiet, polite and the gentlest fist bump in the
gym but dont let that fool you. She never shy's away from a tough spar and has bags of talent.
We just need to unlock that killer streak we know is inside.

Her partner in crime is up next, Hallie. She has the most natural stance, movement and straight
shots we've seen for someone of her experience. Her shots carry some power for her age too.
We just wished she has the same confidence in herself as we have in her as shes going to be
something special when than clicks!

Next up is another huge character. Trains both 1
st and 2nd sessions, both nights every week.
When hes not down at Phoenix, you can see him out running or lifting weights. He probably lost
the best part of 15kg and his boxing has improved no end. Even though he must offer me out for
a fight 3 times a night, I am happy to award Harvey Eley this next Trophy.

Last but not least, the winner of last years chairmans award, back in the winners circle, Olly
Wheaton. Olly has moved from skills to scoring contests this year winning both unanomously.
One of those on the road with Pat and Aliyah on a Wednesday night in deepest darkest south
wales. He gives me sleepless nights as to what weight his is going to come in at on the day and if
the bout will even go ahead but always manages it with grams to spare. Well done mate

That brings us to the end of the special recognition awards but we want to recognise all of our
boxers who have made the phoenix the club it is today so when I call out your name, can you
come up and receive a medal......

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