Holmes Chapel move announced on club’s second birthday

Holmes Chapel has celebrated its two-year anniversary by announcing it is to move to a new and improved venue in a central, easy-to-reach location.

Since its formation in January 2019, the club has operated from a venue around a mile outside of the village at Goostrey Lane, Cranage.

The move will see the club – which runs as a charity with a board of trustees and strong team of volunteer coaches – move to a larger gym at Station Yard, allowing it to engage with even more young people in the local community.

Moving to a facility within easy reach of the train station and comfortable walking distance for those who live locally will be another significant benefit.

Phase one of the plan will see existing boxers start to train in new gym in April. Phase Two will then see work completed on the main entrance, classroom and offices, subject to securing the extra funding required, with the aim of opening that part in September.

“There wasn’t a club in this area when we started out – I didn’t think there would be the demand – but now we are looking to build on the solid foundations we have put down,” said Head Coach Kevin Brownlow, who lives in the village but previously travelled to coach at Murray Machines in Reddish, Stockport, having boxed at Louvolite ABC, alongside the likes of Ricky Hatton, as a youngster.

“It’s a really big, long-term investment, and a big project to make it real, but it is one we believe is in the club’s best interests and will give us an exciting future.”

The club had around 100 members prior to the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic, which includes a small squad of quickly expanding carded boxers.

The extra space afforded by the new gym will not only allow an increase in numbers, but a greater focus.

Brownlow added: “We have developed all our boxers from scratch, but as they get better, they can start to get lost amongst a bigger group.

“When we move, we can get the more experienced boxers together into a separate group and look to bring more coaches on board. We can also look at running different types of sessions we haven’t been able to do before.

“We’re keen to start working alongside schools to provide an alternative curriculum for those who want it, and work with the NHS as somewhere where people can be referred to for exercise to help with their physical and mental health.”

Just after the club’s first year of existence, and before Covid-19 took hold, the club enjoyed its first show last February.

It is looking forward to many more years of success and helping local children enjoy the sport once the Pandemic comes to an end.

“Although, on the face of it, we are not living in what you might call a tough area like you might get in some city areas, drugs gangs operating in the area have still been a problem, so we can help with that as somewhere for kids to focus their energies,” said Brownlow.

“A lot of those who don’t fit into the football or team sports mould come to us and find that they can really excel, raising their confidence levels, which is great to see.

“We want to be a cherished part of the community and promote inclusion, discipline and respect.”

You can find out more about the club by going to its website.