A NEW boxing club in Wellington is already bursting at the seams and looking for new premises, writes Barry Knott.

Wellington Amateur Boxing Club has 20 children and 20 seniors training at the Young People’s Centre in Mantle Street – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

It is being run by 36-year-old Gavin Wyatt, a qualified coach, who says boxing "sorted" him out when he was a youngster.

"I have been supported by Dave Entwhistle and Darren Pollard, of Hamilton Green Boxing Club in Taunton," said Gavin yesterday. "These two took me in as a youngster and I owe so much to them."

"The club has really taken off and we need bigger premises. Hopefully we may be able to move in a month. I do it because I love the sport. This is a dream for me."

Gavin says he also owes a big debt of gratitude to Russell Baker, of Brendon Roofing Ltd, who provided the financial backing to set up the club. The local club expects to enter boxers in tournaments in six to seven months time.

Another big supporter of the club is Wellington councillor Andrew Govier who said: "I am really pleased to have been able to play a small part in helping this club to get going. I have been along a couple of times and it is clear that the youngsters are having a good time while keeping fit and learning the discipline that boxing requires."

Knightstone Housing have also been involved in the setting up of the club.