By Ron Lane
As we go to press, the Youth Commonwealth Games will be getting under way in the Bahamas and two of our local athletes – Ben Cameron-Hands and Ella Boot – will proudly wear the green and gold of Australia.
Selected to represent their country, both will do so in the sport of boxing. Ben will contest the 49kg division and Ella the 60kg.
Now we have a closer and more informative look at this great event for our youth.
The games which will be conducted from the 19-23rd July will have a program of seven sports; Athletics, Beach Volley Ball, Boxing, Judo, Cycling (Road), Rugby 7s and Swimming.
Australia’s contribution will be a team of 75 with ages being 14-18.
Prior to departure, our boxing team held a two day training camp at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, where, apart from training, they were outfitted with uniforms and had opportunities to meet their team-mates.
Ben and Ella will both box in a division of 16 fighters and all indications are that on day one, there will be eight fights, day two – four, day thre – two, and day four – one.
Over the last twelve months, Ben and Ella have been busy fighting in tournaments all over the country with both winning – amongst other titles – the Australian Golden Gloves.
Add to this Ella has recently returned from a tour of the UK and Hungary – winning major tournaments in both.
“Their achievements have been outstanding,” said Cooroy Impact Boxing Academy Coach Mark Evans.
“To make the Australian team is really the highlight. Apart from their wins in the ring, their conduct and manners outside are beyond reproach; this reflects on both their club and above all their families. The Noosa community should take pride in their achievements.”
At the recent Oceania Tournament held on the Gold Coast, Impact’s Bryce Hegity nominated to fight in the 75kg Super Quattro Event.
This event consisted of four fighters in each of the elite divisions, all fighting each other each day. Points were allocated according to results.
At the end of three days, the two with the most points contested the final; Bryce made the final and went on to win the Championship Belt.
Bryce, who lives in Tinbeerwah and works as a personal trainer, has a record of 48 wins with 18 losses; with the losses coming in the early stage of his career.
Now at 23, he has amongst his wins several major titles, at both state and national level; two of which are the Australian Golden Gloves and the International Coral Sea Challenge Championship, which he won in Cairns in 2016.
His immediate aim is to make the Australian team for next year’s Commonwealth Games. We wish him well.
Another highlight of the Oceania Tournament was that Mark Evans was appointed to work as an official Australian Coach.
It is now twelve months since Evans, owner/coach of Cooroy’s Impact Boxing Academy, first opened the doors of the gym; and the success stories continue.
The fact that a Brisbane family drives to Cooroy and back twice a week so that their daughter can train at the Academy speaks volumes for the character of the club.
“It is not just about teaching the young to box and win,” said Evans, “but most important how to live outside the ring; live with self-discipline, good manners and above all respect for others.”
Interesting to note that this is a philosophy that is not only taught but also practiced by other local coaches at their clubs; Israel Kani of the N.B.O. and Bryan Dukas at Budokan Karate.
