Chepstow Boxing Club facing threat of closure in low blow

Head coach Steve Woods revealed his three assistant coaches are either retiring or going travelling.

“I came very close to closing the gym all together about a week ago,” he said at the weekend. 

“Both my assistant coaches, Colin Fear and Doug Lewis are retiring soon, probably at the end of November and Rameece Rauf is taking time out to visit South America.

“I’ve got others willing to help but they now need to take a leaders course (£90) then an assistants course (£120) followed by a club course of £350 each person and I need to gets about  four or five through the courses to help me 

“On top of that everything is going digital online, no more will boxers have a card with a record of their bouts, they’ll all be online.

“It sounds good but I spent six hours trying to register my club and myself. I managed to get the club done but not me . 

“This has to be done by everyone and I suspect many will struggle with the new technology."

Paris Olympian Rosie Eccles with retiring coach Doug Lewis (Image: Bob Cypher) The club famously attracted Rosie Eccles when she was a youngster and helped her on the way to being a Commonwealth Games champion in Birmingham and an Olympian in Paris.

She often arranges to meet Lewis for extra coaching when she visits her family in Caldicot. 

As well as the extra work and loss of three qualified coaches, Woods’ wife Rachel is very ill.

“I very nearly walked away but here I am hanging on - just,” Mr Woods continued. 

“I’ve got a show booked for November but I might have to cancel that due to not having the coaches or team to help me. 

“The only reason I’m still going is because I don’t have the heart to let the kids down.

“Hopefully things will turn around soon but this has all been a very difficult time indeed. 

“I’ve found two guys from Monmouth who will help coach and two of the dads who have boxed in the past have expressed an interest in coaching. 

“There are difficult times ahead but if I can get them enjoying it, and committed, it could still work out well in the end. 

“The admin takes so much time so if there’s anyone who could help my number is  07793947941.

“What I need is someone to do all the admin, pay the bills, sort out which electric and gas company to use, apply for grants and discounts etc.

“I just think this season I’m not going to be able to be as busy in the ring as I’d like.”