Ballykelly boxers to host first big night

Ballykelly Boxers welcome clubs such as Springtown, Rochesters, Oakleaf from Londonderry and others from towns such as Coleraine and even farther afield to their amateur boxing night in the Drummond Hotel this Saturday evening.

The boxing event marks a major milestone for the local club, who were first established just two years ago to serve young people in the Ballykelly area.

When the club were first set up, the Club Chairman, Andy Peoples, told the Sentinel his goal for the first year was to become affiliated with the relevant boxing authorities, before pushing to host a major event which would attract clubs from elsewhere.

“It has been really humbling to have been able to achieve the aims we set out to achieve. The next thing for us, after the event this Saturday night in the Drummond, will be to try and bring a couple of medals back to the club.

“That would be our aim for next year and I have no doubt with the talent we have with some of the boys at the club that we should be able to stay on track and achieve that aim.

“The event on Saturday night is a big, big milestone for us. We’ve been down in Loughview House for about two years now and we have been affiliated for around a year. The show is an opportunity for the community to come down and see what we are all about.

“I think everybody knows that we have a boxing club in Ballykelly by now but I would really like people to come along and see the progress we have been making and what we have to offer the young people in the area.

“We have, on paper, about 60 members now but as I’m sure a lot of people know, boxing clubs are a funny thing. Come September, you get a wave of new recruits but maybe some of them won’t be there after a few weeks.

“We have been up at a few of the other clubs. That’s what I have been trying to do, to bring them to other clubs every week. I think it helps to sort of break the nerves. Going to a strange place and getting into the ring is a very nerve wracking thing so I think by getting them used to it, That’s something that will only help them.

“It has really taken off. I think the thing that has really made the difference is the fact that we have got a real, good committee. We’ve got a lot of good people who are as committed as me to the club.

“I think we have a lot of talent here and I would like everyone to come down and see us on Saturday night.”

The Ballykelly Boxers ABC night of amateur boxing takes place in the Drummond Hotel. Doors open at 7pm in the Drummond and tickets cost £5.