Ryton ABC shortlisted for Sports Club of the Year at council awards
May 1, 2023 | by Chris Boyd
Tyne, Tees and Wear club Ryton ABC has been shortlisted by Gateshead Council for the Sports Club of the Year award at the Gateshead Awards 2023.
The club, like many, is a non-profit organisation and relies upon volunteers to keep it running day-to-day and keep it offering its huge range of boxing sessions to the local community.
They now boast over 200 members, with 40 of those medical-carded and able to participate in sparring and competition, and the club has made good use of this, organising hundreds of hours of sparring with four other England Boxing-affiliated clubs.
Ryton has also had five competitive bouts during the 2022-23 season, with another six pencilled in.
The Tyne, Tees and Wear club isn’t solely focused on competitive boxing, though, and is a founding member of the West Gateshead Sporting Alliance – an initiative aiming to reduce anti-social behaviour in the local area.
EDI is also a big part of the club’s values, securing a Together Fund grant from England Boxing to promote Diversity and Inclusion in boxing, as well as launching a women’s only class for the first time.
Thousands of pounds have been raised in donations by Ryton, allowing them to secure new equipment, clothing, defibrillators and coaching qualifications.
The club now has two England Boxing level two coaches, while five new coaches have passed courses including the England Boxing level one, first aid, DBS and safeguarding training.
Ryton ABC finds itself in the best shape it’s been in for a long time.
The original Ryton ABC closed following the COVID-19 pandemic, having stopped competing competitively in 2015 due to dwindling numbers and availability of training days.
The club opened in 1985 and was run successfully by the well-respected Chris Shaw and Bob Bates.
The phoenix Ryton’s now-head coach, Jonathan Holmes, caught wind of Ryton’s closure and decided to leave his position at Dunston ABC to put together a small team, re-opening Ryton in April 2022.
Holmes said: “It’s been a huge success since re-opening. The club is now re-affiliated, competing and doing great things in the community again.
“I’d just like to say a massive thank you to all our supporters, sponsors, boxers and coaches who have made this possible.”
Ryton faces stiff opposition, with Cardinal Hornets Basketball Team and Gateshead Rugby Club also nominated for the prize.
You can click here to vote for Ryton ABC.
