A disused care centre in the heart of Caerphilly town has been given a new lease of life – as a boxing club.
Where once the clinks of stirring tea spoons and daytime television soundtracked its environment, the material rustle of gloves on punch-bags and chimes of chains can now be heard at the council-owned venue – home to Caerphilly Boxing Club.
Located opposite Caerphilly railway station, the club has been established by Penyrheol councillor Jon Scriven.
Cllr Scriven, the Plaid Cymru member for the ward, was elected in May’s local elections and is an ex-amateur boxer.
He said: “The last month since we opened has been non-stop.
“We’ve got around 81 members with a range of ages signed up. We have had to put on extra classes due to demand.”
The club is leasing the venue from Caerphilly County Borough Council and has undergone a slow but imposing transformation.
Gone are the stacks of chairs, tables and furniture, replaced with punch-bags, gloves, pads and a large square ring sitting neatly in the corner.
The walls are adorned with numerous impressive photos of professional boxers, taken ringside by Cllr Scriven as part of his work with Boxing Media UK to promote grassroots boxing.
Having spent time coaching at Penaber ABC in Abertridwr, Cllr Scriven is hoping his latest venture will promote inclusivity regardless of ability.
He said: “I became interested in boxing back in 1999 but can remember walking into the gym and seeing guys bigger and stronger than me and it knocked my confidence at the time. I don’t want this club to feel like that. Boxing is for everyone. Everybody starts somewhere and as long as the guys here are enjoying themselves, that’s all that matters.
“Our sessions have people of all abilities mixing in and working together, and there’s a great feel about the place. It’s all about developing and growing skills, both in boxing and general life.
“There are no big egos here.”
The club runs sessions four nights a week, between Monday and Thursday, and prides itself on its affordability.
Children aged between ten and 14 train between 5pm and 6pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with those aged between six and nine training on the Wednesday. Adult sessions take place between 6.15pm and 7.30pm on each of the four nights.
A week’s worth of sessions costs £5, working out at £1.25 per night, and Cllr Sciven was keen to impress there is no obligation to turn up.
“What else can you do for £1.25 these days?” he added. “There’s not much out there for kids to do, so they have to want to come.
The club is open to members of all genders, ages and abilities.
For more information visit Caerphilly Boxing Club on Facebook.
