Thriving boxing club raises hopes of other success

Councillor Jonathan Dulston, left, has been supporting the scheme

The success of a boxing club and education provider has created hopes similar schemes could open in a town.

N Gage Learning Group, in Firthmoor, Darlington, provides amateur boxing and fitness facilities as well as a "safe space" for people with disadvantaged and troubled upbringings.

It started as a pop-up project in a meeting room but has since expanded.

Eastbourne councillor Jonathan Dulston said he hoped the success of N Gage could lead to similar schemes opening elsewhere in the town.

"In lockdown, we realised the public needed access to facilities in their area, and whether we like it or not, Firthmoor is an area of deprivation and not everyone would be able to afford to visit a gym," Dulston said.

He added: "We had a pot of funding and transformed a meeting room into a gym."

But as demand increased the facilities became too small.

Managing Director Pete Crotty said there were 50 young boxers and the club "clearly needed to expand".

He added: "It's somewhere for the kids to let out their aggression, keep themselves fit, and keep them out of trouble – which is really important."

Sixteen-year-old Connor, who visits the boxing gym seven days a week, said: "Having a goal and something to focus on is key for me. I feel a different person whenever I come here, I’m happy."

The scheme also offers alternative provision, which involves functional skills in Maths and English, life skills, behavioural and self-belief programs, and fitness and exercise studies, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.