Leeds gym leads way to 2012
Bateson’s ABC, based at World of Fitness in Leeds is the most successful competing gym in Leeds and one of the most successful in Yorkshire.
"Our boxers regularly represent England and the County, winning numerous major amateur titles," said the gym's Anne Bateson.
"Two of our boxers recently competed for England and won the Silver Medal in the European Schoolboy Boxing Championships. Our young boxers are hopefuls for the 2012 Olympics and all are members of the Amateur Boxing Association.
It is widely accepted that Boxing “ticks all the boxes” for young people engaging in the sport. This includes:
- Discipline
- Weight control
- Respect
- Social inclusion
- Trust
- Confidence building
- Self-control
"Boxing is extremely popular and we've had to add 3 sessions per week already to our class timetable to accommodate the numbers. We really do need more space in this regard.
"Two of our young boxers (14yrs) regularly box for Yorkshire and England and are in the square for 2012 Olympic selection. Both have been chosen to travel to Russia very soon for the England squad."
Qais Ashfaq has been nominated by Sone Entertainment for the British Asian Sport Award Personality of the Year under 18 and Ben Jones has been shortlisted for the Leeds Sports Award. They both receive regular media coverage and Qais has just attended at the Oval Cricket Ground.
"A Senior Academic from Trinity & All Saints is employing the experience and skills of our boxing coaches to conduct a major new study into the impact of using boxing as a vehicle to engage excluded pupils with normal day-to-day activities."
But its not all just boxing as Anne explains: "We have added football coaching to our area of activites on offer in the community. Our cheerleading, hip-hop and streetdance sessions are proving very popular and our first cheerleadng session for example - delivered extra curriculum at Ralph Thoresby resulted in over 90 girls turning up. These sessions have continued with the school and puipls funding this - and this number of girls still take part - a magnificent achievement. Our kickboxing is also proving a popular request within the community."
For more information, visit their website which is due to relaunch shortly: www.worldoffitnessleeds.co.uk
