TWO Commonwealth champion boxers have joined Ireland’s first boxing academy at Belfast Metropolitan College.
Bantamweight James McGivern and welterweight Aidan Walsh join the academy triumphant from the Youth Games in Samoa where they claimed Team NI’s first-ever boxing gold medals at the games.
The boxing academy will give students the opportunity to complete essential skills as well as gain IABA Level 1 boxing coaching awards.
There will also be opportunities to travel overseas to compete and train with other college boxing academies.
The one year, full-time programme is equivalent to two GCSEs Grade A*-C and seeks to develop both coaching and performance excellence.
Students will engage on an academic programme as well as structured boxing training sessions delivered four times a week at City Centre Gym Belfast led by Olympic boxing coach, Gerry Storey MBE.
Commenting on the course, Gerry said: “The whole concept of the academy is brilliant and Belfast Met has to be congratulated for making such a great programme for young people.
Belfast has needed a course like this for years and I am pleased that I can be a part of it.’’