Maguire celebrates contribution of England Boxing network towards Junior Euros success

National Coach Mick Maguire has shown his gratitude towards the England Boxing family for their contribution to Team England’s 11-medal haul at the EUBC Junior European Championships 2023 in Ploiesti, Romania.

England had eight boxers compete in Sunday’s (30^th July) finals day, with seven clinching gold medals thanks to Ruby Cuthbertson (District Youth), Ruby White (Sturminster Newton), Humza Malik (Repton) and Hollie Haskins (Broadplain), Adam Maca (Ropes & Glory), Paul Coyle (St Mary’s) and John Joe Carrigan (Border City).

The Three Lions also brought home three bronze medals through Caitlyn Wise (Worcester City), Ella Lonsdale (Sunderland East End) and Mohammad Safari (The Ring).

Leo Atang (Legions) clinched a silver medal as the final round of the final bout on Finals Day decided the destination of the tournament’s ‘Best Team’ award – with Ukraine narrowly taking it in a 3-2 split decision over the Yorkshireman.

Boxers Harry Scadeng (Ropes & Glory), Noah Barney-Smith (Sporting Ring), Dylan Gray (District Youth), Kevin Richardson (Houghton District) and Tobias Taylor (New Saints), Lexie Walker (Wodensborough), Rubi Smallwood (Macclesfield) and Shannon Warren (Tamworth) all also competed, gaining valuable experience at the European level.

The medal haul saw England match their 2022 total of 11 in total but secure more gold in seven to 2022’s four.

Mick Maguire, who was lead coach at the Championships in Romania, has praised the England Boxing network for coming together and contributing to England’s success in the Balkans.

“Now we have returned from the tournament in Romania, I would like to give my thanks to everyone involved in the preparation and delivery of the competition.

“The preparation camps were magnificently supported by the network of England Boxing clubs and every club moved mountains to get their boxers to training camps to ensure that the team could benefit from the finest sparring.

“Without the support of all those clubs, boxers, and coaches, we could not have enjoyed such wonderful success in Romania. To all the clubs that attended camps to support sparring – we as a team are thankful for your time and support.”

Many of the England squad members were joined in Romania by their club coaches and families, something that didn’t go unnoticed by the England coaching team as they recognised their contributions.

“The boxers are extremely fortunate to have such wonderful club coaches and hugely supportive family networks surrounding them, and every single person involved has played their part in the outstanding performances on show from Team England at this year’s tournament.

“The families that attended the tournament were outstanding in supporting the whole team and cheered us on in every single session whilst respecting the boundaries of the team dynamic and the importance of allowing the team to focus on the competition.”

The coaching staff in Ploiesti consisted of John Stubbs, Phil Knight, Dave Johnstone and Naadrah Hafeez, while Martin Webb was there in the Team Manager capacity and Mike Bassenger as England’s R&J and Maguire showed his appreciation for their efforts.

“The coaching team worked tirelessly, through extremely long days, to ensure that every opportunity was afforded to this magnificent team of boxers across the whole preparation and competition duration. As always, they went above and beyond to keep the team on track both mentally and physically and the whole team deserves every praise for the meticulous manner that they carried out across all coaching duties.

“The squad and I are also thankful to team manager Martin Webb and Interim Communications Manager Chris Boyd for their reporting of the tournament throughout, as well as Naadrah Hafeez who contributed alongside her coaching duties.

“Dave Bassenger also made the trip to Romania and was excellent as England’s R&J official for the tournament.”

Maguire also showed his pride in the boxers who made the trip to Romania and ‘represented their country in an outstanding manner’.

“Finally, my gratitude and respect go to the nineteen boxers representing England at this tournament.

“They conducted themselves with dignity, humility, and professionalism throughout and demonstrated equal grace in the face of success – and in disappointment – and I was extremely proud of every single member of the team in the way they represented their country.”

“The team trophy came down to the final round of the final contest and we were just pipped at the post by Ukraine in a scintillating contest.

“This is reflective of the power within the team, and not one single boxer entered the ring without the support and backing of the whole team behind them.

“This was evident in each individual performance throughout the entirety of the competition.”

“The competition was wonderfully organised – from the England Boxing support staff in the Performance Office to the delivery team of EUBC.

“I am certain that everyone involved has come away with memories for life and each and every person mentioned above has been integral in making dreams come true for the members of the England Boxing Junior European Team for 2023.

“I look forward to watching the next chapter of the journey and to working alongside the clubs and boxers to continue the amazing legacy that is being created by the England Boxing family.”