Date Published: 11-Sep-2009

IF you could bottle the enthusiasm shown by the committee members who have formed Galway’s newest boxing club, St. Pat’s Tribes Boxing Academy, and sell it, you wouldn’t be long turning this depressing recession around.
Simply, zeal and positivity are just two of the characteristics which define the fledgling club, which was founded by a group of concerned Traveller parents who wished to provide a sporting outlet for their offspring in July of this year.
They subsequently set in motion a train of events leading to the structuring of a boxing club, holding an AGM, at which the relevant positions at the club were filled. Among them was the appointment of Bernie Ward as Chairman.
Standing in the centre of their new sporting home, located at Liosban Industrial Estate, Ward insists the emphasis of the club is primarily on developing the youth. “It is a boxing academy, a school of learning, where they can learn about discipline, self defence, self control and self confidence. So, it is a school of learning and education,” reiterates the Chairman, who won an Irish boxing title himself when he was just 14 years of age.
Having fought notable competitors such as Joe Christle, from the famous Christle boxing family, in his prime, Ward is an astute observer of the sport. He started off on his own boxing career in Tuam, subsequently trained out of St. Pat’s in Galway, before going to England to compete. It is this experience, Ward and a number of other highly qualified coaches will bring to the new club.
“I have a nephew, John Ward, who is also involved. He is head coach. Then, there would be Michael Ward, who is another highly qualified coach as well,” says the Chairman.
Indeed, if one was to work on the premise that knowledge is power, then the boxing club has a bright future ahead of it. In addition to the two Wards, Pat McDonagh is another highly qualified tutor, while the likes of committee members and trainers Jim Sweeney, Derek Ward, David Nash, Paul Ward, David Sweeney and Eddie Sweeney also have a keen insight into and passion for the sport.
The proof is in the pudding, with many of the youngsters already showing a great deal of potential. “The quality so far is looking good. The young lads are showing great potential,” beams the chairman. “We are only a couple of weeks open, but they are learning very fast. That is down to good coaching, the fact that they are coming on rapidly.”
Again, Ward stresses an outlet like St. Pat’s Tribes Boxing Academy is vital to the youth in the area. “There is too much out there on the streets, be it underage drinking, binge drinking, drugs or what have you. There is too much of that. So, we are trying to teach them to have discipline in their lives.”
This is a sentiment echoed by his son, Patrick, who is also PRO of the club. He says it is imperative that the club helps, in some ways, to address some of the ills blighting the youth of the country.
“We have two members going to do a community drugs education course, a training course, to help the kids coming in. To keep them away from drink and drugs and keep them on the right track.
“We already have a child protection officer in the club and we would hope that many more adult members would to that course as well. All children are supervised at all times and we will have six or seven coaches and trainers on the floor on the night. We have also members who have attended first aid and health and safety courses, so we have all covered.”
Affiliated to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA), Bernie and Patrick stress that the club is run completely on a voluntary basis, and is a non profit entity. “This academy was created to give young boys, and girls, a safe place to be after school hours,” continues Patrick.
“Our members learn the skills and dedication they need for boxing while also improving their physical fitness. We aim to build an environment to train, where all ages can learn the art of boxing as well as increasing their self confidence, controlling their discipline and working towards a healthy body.
“This club is not about coming in and knocking people’s heads off. They are taught the basics and fundamentals before they are put in any ring and they are not put in any ring before the coaches and committee are happy with their progress. So, there is no danger to any of the kids. When they are ready for it, we will put them in.”
With 75 members, half of which are children, signing up to the club, St. Pat’s Tribes also has a thriving adult section. One of those to come on board is Eamonn Cunniss, who has also taken on the mantle of club secretary.
“The lads had come to me and asked would I give them a hand,” outlines Cunniss. “I saw there was an opening for this in the City, so I joined. I know nothing about boxing, but I have come in and I am learning about it.
“I would say the club cares about getting young lads off the streets and providing them with facilities. We have great coaches, we have a great team, and we have 12 people on the committee who work very, very hard.”
Bernie and Patrick agree, with the latter adding: “It is not down to just one person, the success has been down to the 12 members on the committee who have done the work. We haven’t been relying on just one person. Everyone has done the equal amount of work.”
Also highlighting the contribution of carpenter Danny Collins, who has done 90% of the work on the facility on a voluntary basis, the committee members aim to have all completed by the official opening on Tuesday, October 6. Beginning at 7:30 pm, a host of special guests will be in attendance on the evening, including professional heavyweight boxer Declan Timlin.
“Ultimately, our aim is to become one of the top clubs in the county and churn out Irish champions in the future. We are building this club from the ground up. We got no grants, no nothing, and any funding we got came from local businesses who donated towards the cause. We also got local sponsorship while the committee also put money towards the club,” says Patrick. “We would stress, though, that this is a youth development club. It is for the community – not only in Galway City but also the county.
“We would hope to have 10 boxers competing at the county championships next February. We do have an Irish champion in the club at the moment, Wayne Ward, who has come to us from another club. His father, John, was a trainer at that club and he has now also come to ours. We are hoping Wayne will defend and retain his Irish title this year.”
St. Pat’s Tribes Boxing Academy runs Monday to Friday, with older children and adults working out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and younger children (6 +) training on Tuesday and Thursday, nightly 7–9pm. For further information contact club secretary Eamonn Cunniss at 085-1440947 or email stpatstribesboxing
academy@hotmail.com