Rochdale could have an Olympic boxing champion

Joey Jacobs, Kevin Taylor, Terry Hernon, Cllr Keith Swift and Gary White

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“Rochdale could have an Olympic Champion ready for 2012” that was the view expressed by Hamer Boxing Club Committee Member and Assistant Coach, Gary White, after watching an impressive performance from some of the club’s young hopefuls.  

Hamer Boxing Club welcomed back founder and former Head Coach Terry Hernon for the school holiday half term week to take 12 budding champions through their paces in a week’s intensive training. Cardio-vascular work, muscle strengthening exercises, skipping, a ten mile run and hours of  boxing skills work were supervised by the vastly experienced and highly regarded coach on a welcome return to Rochdale.

Terry Hernon said: “I was delighted by the positive attitude and dedication of the youngsters who turned up every day without fail for what was a really punishing schedule of both skills and fitness work.  Hamer Boxing Club has an enthusiastic new Committee steering the club in the right direction and with my former pupil, Amateur Boxing Association Champion and 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Semi Finalist, Kevin Taylor in charge of coaching the future looks good for the Hamer Club and Boxing in Rochdale.

Kevin Taylor said: “I am really thrilled that Terry Hernon has agreed to return to Rochdale from time to time to advise and assist with bringing these youngsters on.  Terry’s years of experience are an invaluable asset that we can all benefit from.”

To mark the achievement of the youngsters who had worked so hard throughout the week’s intensive course Councillor Keith Swift, Rochdale Council Cabinet Member for Townships and Corporate Management, presented a certificate to each of the young boxers at an awards ceremony at the end of the course. Councillor Swift said: “All too often we hear negative reports of our young people; I am delighted to celebrate the achievement of a group of lads who have given up their free holiday time to work so hard on improving their fitness and skills in a sport that will teach them self control and respect for others.” 

Awards
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