New round of funding for Castle Boxing Club

Castle Boxing Club was one of four groups – including Cairn Lodge, City of Belfast and Midland – to be awarded part of the funding package announced this week by Minister for Communities, Paul Givan.

Castle is hoping to use the funds to improve facilities at its Nelson Street premises, according to head coach, John Neill.

Along with upgrading disability access, a key element in the club’s plans involves the provision of new female changing facilities.

“With the likes of Katie Taylor taking part in the Olympics, there’s been an increased interest in women’s boxing,” John said. “As well as giving women and girls more opportunities to take part in the sport, we want to provide fitness facilities that will benefit the whole community.”

With training ongoing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, there are also hopes that the funding would enable daytime opening hours at the venue.

“The clubs all worked together jointly to apply for this funding, so it’s fantastic that the Sports Minister has managed to make it available,” John added.

Meanwhile, Castle Boxing Club is running a White Collar Boxing night at the Knockagh Lodge on October 14.

Training for the event, which will focus on suicide awareness, begins on September 6 and runs for six weeks.

Last year, the club was involved in raising over £5000 towards research into Motor Neurone Disease.