By Ron Lane
“When I chose the name, Impact,” said Mark Evans owner and coach of the Impact Boxing Academy Cooroy, “I did so because I wanted a name that announced our intention; and that was to start a club for the youth of our community that would make such an impact that the young wouldn’t hesitate to join, and above all, do so with their parents’ support.’’
This is exactly what Mark and his group of supporters have achieved.
At the recent Australian under-19 Championships and Elite Men’s Selection Trials held in Adelaide this month, the Queensland Team, which contained 11 members of the Cooroy Impact club, achieved what can only be described as being well above all expectations.
On completion of the six-day tournament, Queensland was announced as the best under-15, best junior and best youth female team and then finally– the best team overall. There can be no doubt that at present the state team is top in Australia.
Regarding the performance of the local Impact members, they came home with a total of eight medals, five gold and three silver. Winners of the gold were Chloe Halley, Ella Boot, Coen Allman, Riley Whitestyles and Tyler Blizzard; the silvers were Abbie Slavin, Luke Martin and Ben Cameron-Hands.
The award ceremonies were followed by the announcement that Ella Boot had been selected to represent Australia at the Junior Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas in July. This outstanding young lady now has a total of 14 fights without loss. Also in the process she has collected a total of eight titles, including the National Golden Gloves. Later this year, Ella along with Impact’s other female gold medallist Chloe Halley, will travel to England to take part in a junior female three-week development camp.
For the men, Tyler Blizzard and Luke Martin have been selected to compete in the Oceanic Tournament on the Gold Coast. This will be the qualifying tournament for the Elite Men’s World Boxing Titles to be held in Hamburg, Germany, in August. To add to the year’s busy schedule, a team from Impact will also visit New Zealand.
It is now some 12 years since the Impact Boxing Academy came into being, and its ongoing success has become a habit. Achievements at state, national and International level are becoming common place. But above all, the attitude of coach Mark Evans (who also holds the office of President of Boxing Queensland) and his support group to consolidate the sport in the South Pacific Region is to be applauded.
Not only is the South Pacific Region in their sights but also other states of Australia such as the Northern Territory and Victoria, for they are seeking advice and exchange of ideas. As with all good sporting organisations, help in Boxing Australia is just a phone call away.
Evans said despite the record of achievement and the fact that the club revolved mainly around the youth of the community, the biggest stumbling block was still sponsorship.
“As always it is of major concern. We are in sore need of support,” he said.
