Quinton Shillingford MBE, Talent Development Coach for GB Boxing England has officially opened Richard Taunton Sixth Form College’s new Boxing Gym – a facility initiated by sports teacher Mason Newport after he read ‘Boxing: The Right Hook’, a parliamentary report exploring the merits of using boxing in education.
“The report praised boxing as being ‘a sport of technique, discipline and control’ which improves physical and mental health, teaches self-discipline and self-respect and provides an outlet for energy in a controlled environment,” Newport explained.
The college are working in partnership with England Boxing and boxing coach Steve Barnes (from Pound for Pound training ground) to provide first-class coaching for students.
He added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has turned out to support the opening of our boxing facility, especially Quinton.
“The boxing gym will help diversify the range of sport and enrichment we offer at RTSFC and cater to the needs of young people in the local community.”
Alice Wrighton, Principal of Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, who attended the opening, said: “We are all very proud of this facility, the first college boxing gym to be set up in Hampshire.
“It has a very serious educational purpose and is a great place to develop fitness and well-being.
“It’s already proving to be very popular with students and staff, and we are also getting lots of interest from schools in the local area - I might even try it myself!’’
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