GB Schools Three Nations: England name 18-strong squad for trip to Dundee

England will send an 18-strong team to the GB Schools Three Nation in Dundee, Scotland this coming weekend, with Development Coach Amanda Coulson believing those selected with relish representing their country for the first time.

The enforced break from international boxing because of Covid-19 means it will be the first time any of the squad have boxed for the Three Lions.

Although hoping for a decent medal return – just as the Junior and Youth squad did last weekend in Barnsley, where they won 32 gold medals – Coulson is more interested in performances from the 15 boys and three girls who will be in action.

“Of course, we would love nothing better than for all 18 boxers to win gold medals, but just as important, if not more so, is the experience they will gain from this,” she said.

“What we want to see more than anything are good performances, regardless of the final results of bouts.

“For some of the Juniors and Youths who boxed in Barnsley last weekend, they had already experienced international boxing, but for every one of this group (including Rianna Doforo, top, and Dean Goodearl, below) it is completely new… it will be the first time they have pulled on a Three Lions vest.

“They will get the chance to find out what it is like to be part of a team, to travel away from home and to box for their country. It’s a terrific honour and one I am sure they will all enjoy.”

England had hoped to send a much larger team to compete against the hosts and Wales, but matches have not been made for a number of the original squad, particularly the girls.

Coulson added: “It is disappointing for all the boxers concerned, and we are disappointed as coaches too, but it is a part of boxing that they will all have to get used to.

“Even when you have a bout matched up, people can sometimes pull out through injury or other reasons, so it is all part of the learning experience.

“But there are other things they can focus on in the future. The Class B and Class A winners of the School Championships 2022 will be involved in a selection camp on Saturday 25th June for the forthcoming European Championships.

“Other boxers not involved in that will be involved in the Schools Academy sessions that are coming up during the remainder of the year.”

The England Team manager in Scotland will be Martin Webb, while the coaching team will comprise of Ivan Cobb, Laura Sargeant, Ross Wilkinson and Andy Marksby.

England Boxing officials who will travel north of the border are Billy MacDonald, Kris Lang and Andy Buckley.

England team for GB Schools Three Nations 2022