Monkstown Boxing Club enjoys Lotto success

Former World Champion Barry McGuigan visited the Cashel Drive club on Monday morning to deliver the knock-out news that its BoxClever programme has been voted the UK’s Best Education Project.

BoxClever provides sport-related work placements and community-based coaching sessions for disadvantaged young people living in Monkstown, Rathcoole and surrounding areas. It operates through local schools and aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and improve young people’s career prospects.

More than 7,700 people voted for BoxClever in this year’s National Lottery Awards - the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Monkstown Boxing Club fought off some tough competition from a number of other organisations across the UK to land the Best Education Project prize.

Handing over the award, Barry McGuigan said: “I am delighted to present Monkstown Boxing Club’s BoxClever project with a National Lottery Award for winning the education category.

“They really deserve this accolade. It is great to see them using a sport like boxing to help young people better themselves. The dedication of the staff and their tireless work in the gym and around the club has produced some incredible results. National Lottery players can be proud to have supported a fantastic project such as this one.”

The club wins a £2,000 cash prize and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.

Representatives of the club will attend a star-studded awards ceremony, The National Lottery Stars, due to be broadcast on BBC One on September 21.

Paul Johnston, Project Manager at Monkstown Boxing Club, was delighted with the club’s Lottery win.

“Boxing, along with many other sports, can deliver many benefits and have a huge impact on the lives of young people,” he said.

“It teaches students discipline and the importance of dedication and commitment which, in turn, helps create positive attitudes and build self-esteem which is vital, especially amongst groups who may have behavioural issues or lack confidence.

“It is a great honour to have been recognised by the public in this way and to win a National Lottery Award is fitting recognition of all the hard work of our staff, directors and volunteers and of course, the young people themselves. I would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”