By Monica Jones
At the far side of the Little-ton Recreation ground in Shepperton, sits The Academy. This is Shepper-ton’s very own boxing gym, with one difference. It is run purely by volunteers and is for youngsters from aged 10. Boxing gives them an outlet for energy, gets them off the streets and gives them discipline. The club is already producing winners, with Shannon O’Connor now a national champion with great ambition and likely to go far.
Run by Gary Dawson, the club ambassador is Barry Jones, a former WBO featherweight champion who lives a stones throw from the club.
The Academy has been in it’s current home since 2020, having previously been based at Moor Lane, Staines. The current building was transformed through volunteers’ hard work and privately funded. But the club has rapidly outgrown the building and is now looking at extending the facility, offering more young-sters the chance to come and train. We visited the club to see a cheque handed over from local councillors’ Good Neighbourhood Grants. This will go towards the building costs. A cheque for £2050 was presented by Cllr Darren Clarke, on behalf of himself, Cllr Karen Howkins and Cllr Anant Matthur.
The club is joining forces with the London Irish Foundation and Beat the Streets in help-ing these youngsters to a better start in life and more opportunities in the future. Cllr Clarke said “This is the kind of thing we need more of in our neighbourhood. It gives hope, it gives discipline, it gives respect.”
Boxing is showing its appeal to girls, and with Shannon leading the way and showing how it is done, others are keen to follow. She beams as she tells me “The club is my life. I come every day.”
Looking at her training, no one is going to mess with this young lady!
The Academy has ambi-tious plans, looking to add a floor and hopefully double to intake. But this will take a lot of money and hard work. They are looking for grants, money and help. If you can help please get in touch with Gary Dawson on 07714 234129.