Army Boxing Associations celebrate ‘fabulous season’ at Annual Awards Ceremony

The Army Boxing Association hosted its Annual Awards Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday 21st June 2023, at the Village Hotel in Farnborough.

The event, organised by Mrs Faye Walters of the Army Boxing Association, celebrated a fabulous season for the Army Boxing Team and the Association.

In what was the first real season back for the Army following COVID, the association saw 69 affiliated units and nearly 70 competitions authorised – amounting to just over 140 days of boxing and 1700 boxers registered making it an extremely busy year.

The Awards dinner was an opportunity for the Army BA to thank the many wonderful volunteers for their selfless commitment to the support of the association.

As with all clubs and associations, there are always so many volunteers and never enough time to mention them all.

The Awards evening featured an informal dinner in a relaxed setting, allowing the boxers to be comfortable amongst their Commanding Officers and to allow all who attend to experience the amazing team spirit that exists across the association.

The Boxing Association awards were presented as:

Official of the Year – SSgt Gordon Bruce 1-star International Official and Regional Secretary

Coaching Team of the Year – 1 Royal Anglian

Lifetime Achievement – Capt Tony Buff 3-star International Official and Regional Chair

The Army Boxing Team Awards winners were:

Best Boxer – LCpl Terri Stuart; Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers – England Boxing National Amateur Champion 2023 at Under 63kg and silver medallist at the GB Elite Three Nations.

Boxer’s Boxer – LCpl James McCool Royal Signals – Scottish Championship bronze medallist at Under 71kg

Most Improved – Guardsman Joe Louis Wright Welsh Guards – Welsh Champion at Under 63.5kg

There were also some fond farewells to the following:

Lt Col Dom Cugudda – Former boxer, team manager and now Vice Chair

WO2 Kris Lang – Former boxer, coach and now senior official (Grade A Referee and Judge and Grade B Supervisor)

WO2 Emma Smith MBE – Grade A Referee and Judge

Sgt Jay Allen – Former boxer and head coach

Sgt Shamim Khan – Boxer

LCpl Pete Love – Boxer

The boxing team and coaches will now spend some time back at their parent units before returning in August ready for the start of the 23/24 Season.

The officials still have a few unit events left to cover before a very welcome summer break.

The Army Boxing Association said:

“We would like to thank all of the clubs, associations and, of course, those at England Boxing for your support, help and healthy competition over the course of this year and we look forward to September and another new and exciting season.”