Horsham Boxing club looking to extend their gym

From being part of the boys’ club unit on Hurst Road to having half a toilet block in the park.

After years of asking they eventually got the go-ahead to convert the former toilet block into a small boxing gym.

“The space was limited but they made it work, producing former local pros like Danny Quacoe, Mark Thorton and committee member Simon Hopkins, but the gym is now not large enough for the number of people we are seeing wanting to start boxing,” said coach John Essex, who has been involved with the club for more than three decades and has seen the good it has done for many members, both past and present.

The club is currently holding 10 sessions a week he went on. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are boxing nights and we hold eight sessions over those days.

Essex said: “Tuesday and Friday we do a boxercise class. The trouble is with new social distancing measures and England Boxing rules, we need to extend. We have applied for planning permission and are awaiting the local council to amend our lease which we have been told will be done before Christmas.

“It’s a bold move considering the government has allocated zero funds to boxing but the club feel it is necessary to provide to their members and the grassroots of boxing like they have for many years. The proposal is to extend northwards into an unused part of the park adjoined to the building, to be finished in wood clad in line with the rest of the building.

“Being limited on funds and a non-profitable organisation, the club is looking for a sponsor willing to help out such a valuable social hub. If your child, teen or even adult comes to this club, you will know how involved and passionate the coaches, boxers and team are.”

The club will be setting up a fundraising page to help raise funds for both the legal fees of the new lease and towards the new build, if accepted. Anyone in the building industry willing to help should permission be granted, or willing to help in other ways, please contact John Essex on 07821521051, email [email protected] or message Facebook or Instagram pages.

A spokesman for Horsham District Council said: “The Council is pleased to be working in conjunction with Horsham Boxing Club to help create new improved facilities for the Club and its expanding membership.”