About Us
Hamer ABC has been re-established for well over 30 years when Terry Hernon re-opened the club at Broadfield school in the centre of Rochdale and later he changed its name to Middleton and Rochdale ABC. It was re-formed back to its original name back in 1990 by Kevin Taylor and Steven and Paddy Connellan, who opened up the new gym at the top of John Street in Rochdale next to a professional boxing gym. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and now has over 600 active participants at any of its training sessions each month, including up to 12 carded amateur boxers.
We work with youngsters, youths and adults from all sections of the community and all ethnic backgrounds and with our coaching methods you will be taught self discipline, self defence, tolerance, team work, fitness and self control in a safe and controlled environment.
We also offer the opportunity for you to compete as an amateur boxer at events across the country at no further cost. All equipment is provided although you are free to use your own equipment if you prefer. We also work with various youth groups across the borough, offering "taster sessions", so if you are part of a group who may want to come down for a group session and use the facilities or you prefer to use one of our level 2 amateur boxing coaches of England at your place then please feel free to contact us to arrange a date.
Many of the clubs members come to sessions just to keep in shape - there's no pressure to become a boxer and get into the ring, unless that's what you want. The training is perhaps the toughest of all sports, but if you prefer to train at your own speed and level, that’s not a problem.
The club is open five nights each week. Naturally, the club’s Head Trainer Steven Connellan, is always pleased to welcome new members and people who want to help the club in any way. Feel free to drop in during any of our sessions, have a chat and see what we have to offer. Although the club shows pictures of punch-bags, weights machines, Running machine, exercise bikes, rowing machine which have kindly been donated by St Annes Acadamy in Middleton, Early Break, and members of the public, we are constantly looking to seek gifts from the public to replace the much older and over used equipment that we now have and we also need to add to the equipment we provide to help the youngsters furher their education in boxing, so please feel free to get in-touch if you can help.
If you are an amateur boxing club and would like to contact us regarding shows or if you want more details about who we are and what we do, please contact us.
Rochdale has produced many successful boxers over the years, going back to the 1930s and Hamer is proud of it's own record in continuing to add to this tradition. The Rochdale's Boxers link has details for those interested in the history of Rochdale's champions past and present.
NOTE TO PARENTS:
Most people have a general impression that boxing, both amateur and professional, are very rough and somewhat brutal sports. If they are improperly coached, supervised and equipped, then this generality can be true. It is the express goal of Hamer boxing club to teach youngsters all the fundermentals of boxing, both offence and defense, in such a manner that it makes it totally safe and fun experience for every participant. We might also point out to parents that this club is run by volunteers and it is always striving for help. If you would like to help this club acheave its goals within the community then please do not hesitate to ask and get involved.