Roaring Lions: Honours Day 2023
December 4, 2023 | by Chris Boyd
Team England boxers, who donned the Three Lions in 2023, were celebrated on a special honours day at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Saturday 2nd December.
Over 100 boxers received a personalised, special edition white England Boxing vest that was presented to them by CEO Jerome Pels.
GB Boxing and Paris 2024 Olympian Delicious Orie delivered an inspiring speech, alongside Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Frazer Clarke who told the Schools, Juniors, Youth and Senior attendees, and their guests, his England Boxing story.
The pair were in attendance throughout the day and continued to contribute by posing for pictures with Team England boxers, having one-to-one chats and signing their memorabilia.
2023 has been a highly successful year for the England Performance department, as squads from each age group have combined to win over 100 medals across GB Three Nations, tournaments and EUBC Major competitions.
Team England claimed seven gold, one silver and three bronze at the EUBC Junior European Championships in July, before taking eight gold, three silver one bronze at the EUBC Schools European Championships in August.
The inaugural Senior programme was also launched and enjoyed immediate success, most memorably at the Golden Gong tournament in North Macedonia in November, where a squad of five boxers all secured gold medals in an undefeated tournament.
A further five boxers from the inaugural squad have already progressed onto GB Boxing’s programme, showing the quality and strength in depth of England Boxing. This coincides with the department placing more emphasis on sports science and data.
England Performance Lead National Coach Amanda Coulson was delighted with how the day went: “Today has been incredible, really inspiring.
“The amount of talent and potential in the room is off the Richter scale. It’s been a great day all around and I’m super proud of everybody for what has been achieved this year.”
England Boxing’s Head of Performance Chris Connelly emphasised the importance of thanking the Team England boxers: “The celebration day has been about, not only thanking the boxers, but celebrating their achievements.
“It’s been a phenomenal year for England Boxing and this gives us a chance to thank them for everything they do and their dedication, not only to the sport but to England Boxing.”
