|
New facilities a knockout…
Boxing and indeed community fitness within the Glengormley area has received a major boost with the completion of new facilities jointly funded by Sport Northern Ireland and Newtownabbey Borough Council. On Friday 28 September Glengormley Amateur Boxing Club and Community Fitness Centre was officially opened by the Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Nigel Hamilton.
From left, Malachy Scott (Club Secretary), Eamonn McCartan (Chief Executive Sport NI), Nigel Hamilton (Mayor of Newtownabbey) and former world champion Dave 'Boy' McAuley
The project saw the demolition of the existing boxing gym, and the construction of a new purpose built gym and fitness training area. The ground floor provides a boxing gym, and the first floor contains a fitness training area.
The club has made the fitness training area available to the local community to encourage a wide and inclusive range of activity, open to all users within the wider community, to engage in activity of benefit to their holistic well-being. The club intends to promote a programme of fitness activities directly targeted at females within the local community including aerobics, boxercise and general fitness training. Currently yoga is offered and ladies exercise takes place on a Tuesday evening. Mental health and healthy eating programs are also envisaged to take place in the future.
Boxers in action at new facilities
Eamonn McCartan Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland said of their involvement in the new facilities:
“Glengormley Amateur Boxing Club has come a long way since it first opened 33 years ago and Sport Northern Ireland are thrilled to be involved in such a positive initiative. The new facility looks absolutely fantastic and something which Sport Northern Ireland is proud to have our name attached to.”
Former World Boxing Champion IBF-Flyweight division Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley was present on Friday evening at the official opening to dedicate the Boxing Gym to recently deceased Chairman and Co-Founder of the club Mr Gus O’Connor.
|
