By Ron Lane
THIS Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm, one of Australia’s major amateur boxing tournaments of the year will be held at the Noosa District State High School Cooroy.
The event – known as the Young Guns – came into being in 2009 and now because of its success, we can proudly state that it has become a fixture on the yearly calendar of tournaments to be held throughout Australia.
The event, which is the brainchild of Mark Evans, owner and coach of the Impact Boxing Academy, “Home of The Young Guns,” has once again received nominations from all over Australia. Add to these entrants from New Zealand and you can see why you are assured of a great night of boxing.
“One of the reasons for our continued success has been the ongoing support of our local High School and for this we are very grateful,” Evans said.
“We cannot thank them enough. Then we add the great support and work of our local families and we are on a winner.”
However, when you look at what it takes to make these tournaments a success, you must not overlook the outstanding contribution of the local club fighters.
To compete and win medals at national level is great, but to not only compete, but also win at international level is better still; and this is exactly what a group of fighters from the Impact Boxing Academy, have been doing.
Starting in September 2015, a total of nine countries have had members of the Impact Boxing Academy, Cooroy, step into their rings representing either Queensland or Australia. The countries in which they represented were; Ireland, Germany, Russia (twice), Poland, Serbia, New Zealand, Philippines and Samoa.
Perhaps the highlight has been Ireland, where representing Queensland, Impact fighters not only helped their state win the major International Celtic Cup Tournament but also had two fighters, Tyler Blizzard and Taylah Robertson, awarded the coveted Celtic Cup Championship Belts.
Other Impact fighters to do us proud on the international scene were; Sam Cameron-Hands, Brock Shelley, Byron McKeown and Luke Martin. All these will be looking to be matched this Saturday night, and Sam Cameron-Hands and Taylah Robertson (our female Golden Glove Champion) are looking to be billed as main event fighters.
Also in attendance will be six from Israel Kani Noosa Box Office, some of whom have held National Golden Glove titles.
So with many of the best in Australia on the program – plus a happy family environment – this tournament, to be held at 17 Tulip Street, Cooroy on Saturday, will surely be the event of the year.
All members of “Impact Boxing Academy – Home of the Young Guns, bids you “Welcome.”
Among the many calls Evans received this week was one from the President of Boxing New Caledonia.
It was to invite him and a team of ten athletes to attend and take part in a local tournament starting on 3 December.
The attendance will also include discussions on strengthening sporting relationships between our two countries.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” Evans said.
“We are making plans to promote amateur boxing in the South Pacific Region.”
We wish this venture every success.
