HOOK and Jab Boxing Gym is proving a hotbed of international talent after top fighters from across the globe flew in to prepare for the Queens Cup.
Both the female Australian and Irish boxing teams have chosen to train in Warrington in the build up to the competition in Germany later this month.
But the attraction of a boxing gym on Palatine Industrial Estate is the experienced Amanda Groarke.
The mum-of-three is Hook and Jab’s head coach and the first female in the country to pass the Advanced Boxing Coach qualification, as well as being one of a select few AIBA Three-Star coaches – the highest qualification in the sport.
Not only has Groarke offered the self-funded athletes a place to enjoy top quality training and facilities free of charge, they were also given accommodation for the duration of their stay.
It is her passion for the sport that sees Groarke, who has also worked with the GB Women’s Boxing Squad since 2011, so willing to help out fighters from across the world.
“I know the struggle these girls are having trying to hold down a full-time job at the same time as boxing internationally,” she explained.
“Despite the battles they are up against, they’re still prepared to travel.
“They flew to us from Poland where they didn’t have a coach or anybody in their corner – they’ve been travelling for months self-funded.”
GB’s world silver medalist Lisa Whiteside spas with Australia’s Kristy Harris
The boxers made contact with Groarke, calling on her expertise ahead of the Queens Cup tournament that is being used by many in preparation for the Rio Olympic Games next year.
They also got the opportunity to travel to GB’s home at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, but the Hook and Jab boss says their presence in the Warrington gym has proved a positive for the club.
“For the club, we’ve been doing it for a long time but for the younger girls in the gym it’s quite an inspiration,” she added.
“The girls come down just to train at the gym. It’s good for us, but they know they are boxing and spa-ing against internationals and in a safe environment.”
Among them are Australian Commonwealth gold medalist at 60kg Shelly Watts, world medalist and Youth Olympian Caitlin Parker and 51kg Commonwealth boxer Kristy Harris. They join the likes of the north west’s own Lisa Whiteside and Stacey Copeland.
And Groarke enjoys the variety.
“Shelly Watts trained to be a lawyer,” she explained. “Stacey is an ex-England footballer and we have a girl who works for the prime minister – they’ve all made the transition to boxing.”
Below: Hook and Jab's female squad, who meet the first Sunday of the month with girls travelling from all over the north of England.
This month, three girls attended from Australia's international team, two GB boxers and 44 girls attended in total.
"Another very successful squad helping develop females within our sport," added Groarke.
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