SOUTH Wye Police Boxing Academy have opened the doors of their new state-of-the-art gymnasium based at Hinton Community Centre.

The excellent facility was carried out in front of special guests Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and England ABA chief executive Mark Abberley.

"We had to continue with boxing at Hinton due to massive demand from local children and young adults in the area," said club chairman Richard Roberts.

"The new gym will provide facilities for amateur boxing, Thai boxing and boxing fitness training in the city."

Abberley, who grew up in Herefordshire, attending Hereford Sixth Form College and playing Minor Counties cricket for Herefordshire, said: "The club has a very positive and effective relationship with all the schools in Hereford. It’s great to see the coaches working with so many schools and youth organisations in the city.

"They’re really making a difference."

Roberts added: “We have changed our name to 'South Wye Police Boxing Academy' to more accurately reflect the work we do with schools and special needs individuals/groups.

"And we have also been successful in continuing our work with the ABAE, or England Boxing as it is now known, in elite level international boxing shows, so it feels like a new era is opening up with the club going from strength-to-strength."

The club's Vince McNally said: "We have had so much help and support from many different local organisations including Rotary and Round Table and we have very strong links with our local police."

"The gym has recently benefited from funding from the police commissioner, that has allowed the club to increase its capacity of boxers in training.

"The first class boxing gym features a full-size competition ring, with show lighting, a weight-training area, bespoke dip stations and sparring drill area along with the Hinton Monkey Bar challenge, that is causing quite a stir. Currently the record for the monkey bars is five lengths, this is held by Thai boxer Dan Barrett."

Daniel Allen, from Boxing Development, said: “South Wye Police Boxing Academy has demonstrated huge commitment and we are delighted to support the club at such an exciting time in its history with its new facilities to provide the city with a fantastic community resource."

“It's brilliant here," said Scott Fitzgerald. "I walked in and it looks amazing.

"You can tell a lot of hard work and time has been put into it.

"And it's all for a good cause as well because the club is going to be helping so many young kids out, making them more focused and disciplined.”

For further information regarding training or tickets for the next international boxing show call, 07525452110.