Darlaston Boxing club needs more financial clout

A boxing club offering professional classes to youngsters in Darlaston is calling for help from residents and businesses, as it looks to grow despite very little financial backing.

The Darlaston Boxing Gym, based at Darlaston Town Hall, is currently teaching 15 youngsters a night the ropes of the sport and helping them grow as people and athletes.

The club is run by one man, Tony Marshall, from Coseley, who has reached out to those in his community who can help him with the self-funded business which is costing him 'an arm and a leg.'

He said: "I have been in the game for a long time and I know you aren't really going to make money out of amateur boxing.

"What I do this for is to watch these kids grow and develop, it really is amazing.

"Some of them when they come here, they haven't got anything, but they want to learn.

"I don't charge much for the classes but if they are still a bit short I just can't turn them away.

"We are growing all the time but at the moment we are running off very little in terms of money, it's costing me an arm and a leg.

"We have parents who volunteer and they are a real godsend, but we would love to just get a little bit more help from the community.

"This is about getting kids off the streets and doing something productive with their time."

The club started in October last year and Mr Marshall has recently paid for the training of two new coaches, who got their qualifications this week.

It also caters for adults and boasts an impressive seven girls on its books, which Mr Marshall says is 'incredible' for a boxing club just starting out.

Claire Davis, whose son Marcus is a regular at the gym, said: "I think it is wonderful what they are doing and I just wish they had a bit more help.

"They have done a lot for my son to help him grow as a person and become more confident.

"Tony teaches them about respect and pride, which are great things for our young people to be learning."