The club's 70th anniversary

We finished the 2007/2008 boxing season with 2 special events to mark the club's 70th anniversary.

Both events, our home show, held at the White Rock Pavilion and our Prize Giving evening, held at the Silverhill Club, St Leonards on Sea, received strong support from Hastings West Hill boxers both past and present.

To commemorate the club's landmark achievement a group of boxers from yesteryear were introduced to an enthusiastic audience at our recent home show.

Dave Harris, master of ceremonies rolled back decades of club history as he introduced each boxer one by one, before a group photo was taken to mark the occasion.

Those supporting included: (Standing from left to right) Barry Hod, Fred Frewin, Jack Howell, Paul Martin, John Gray, Brian Robinson, Kim Smith, George Doolan, Trevor Bloomfield, Gary Gates, Gary Smith, Dave Harris (Kneeling from left to right) John Verlander, Ian Gray, Dave Bishop, Gary White, Paul Huggins, Mike Richford and Matthew Bloomfield.

Back to present day, and a group photo was also taken of a selection of lads now in training, boys and young men who are following the strong tradition created by those who have gone before, they included (From left to right): Ryan Smith, Shaun Attrell, Ben White, Kyle Logan, Steve Garlick, Kellen Leimetter, Conner Sime, Jason Prunty, Rhys Verlander, Steve Hill, Dennis Buchanan, Jake Towse, Adam Haniver and Dave Warren.

The show itself, organised by our fund raiser Denise Attrell, held on the 10th May 2008 was a great success, Dave Bishop matched 11 evenly matched bouts, all of the highest quality.

As always thanks go to all clubs, boxers and officials in attendance.

Although all club boys boxed extremely well special mention must be made to Conner Sime and Jason Prunty, both boxed extremely well in their debut bout, and Shaun Attrell for receiving the "Boxer of the night award".

Results from the show were as follows:

• Michael Coyle Foley ABC LUPts Conner Sime HWABC
• George Sheedy Foley ABC LUPts Kyle Logan HWABC
• Eddie Ayres Margate ABC LUPts Ben White HWABC
• Nathan Rodrigez Hove ABC WUPts Kellen Leimetter HWABC
• Jake Woods Foley ABC LUPts Jake Towse HWABC
• Lewis Griggs Margate ABC WKO2 Dave Warren HWABC
• Steve Shearman Rose Hill ABC LUPts Terry Freeman Bexhill ATHA ABC
• Richard Kaplan Brighton City ABC LUPts Jason Prunty HWABC
• Dave Murphy Brighton City ABC LUPts Shaun Attrell HWABC
• Jean Conciano Frivole Crawley ABC WMPts Dennis Buchanan HWABC
• Dean Taylor Rose Hill ABC WUPts Adam Haniver HWABC

Further to our home show, boxers from yesteryear also supported the club's prize giving evening held at the Silverhill Club, St Leonards on Sea on the 5th July 2008 and were instrumental in awarding prizes to this years winners.

It was a great night with many parents and coaches leading the way on the dance floor, showing the youngsters how it should be done!

The Junior awards were awarded as follows:

The John Gray Shield for the "Junior Club boy" went to Enrik Rrukaj. Enrik has a very generous nature and is totally supportive of all his club mates, he thoroughly deserved this accolade.

The Jim Hart shield for the "Minor boxer of the year" went to Henry Woodman-Ball, Henry had an excellent first season and will no doubt go from strength to strength.

The "Furthest junior in a championship" award went to James McMahon, who reached the Junior novice national final, narrowly losing to Carl Burcher.

The "Most improved Junior boxer" award deservedly went to Kyle Logan, who put on some superb displays of courageous boxing, his season was cut slightly short as he broke a bone in his hand but we are sure this award will have more than made up for finishing his season prematurely.

The "Most promising junior boxer" was awarded to the pocket rocket Rhys Verlander who will be commencing his boxing career from December 2008.

Jake Towse picked up 2 awards the "Best junior performance of the season" and "Best junior bout of the season". Jake in just his second season took on the best boys in his age and weight and did himself and the club proud - There is no doubt he has a very promising career ahead.

The Joe Lee shield for "Best junior boxer" was won by Ben White, who enjoyed a superb season winning 9 out of 15 bouts having taken on all comers at all levels.

On to seniors now: The Dave Harris shield for "Senior club man" was presented by Gary White to his charge, Steve Garlick. Steve who was only in his first season with the club fitted into the squad with ease and showed a selfless and supportive attitude that all have come to admire. Steve also ran a club 6 a side soccer team that helped to cement team spirit still further - It was a big year for Steve as he also welcomed his first child "Charlie" into the World.

Club captain Barry Buchanan picked up 2 awards, the first being the "Furthest senior boxer in a national championship", Barry made it to the 1/4 final stage of the U69 Kg Senior ABA championship, where he unfortunately went out to eventual winner Anthony Agogo. The second being the "Best senior bout of the season".

Not to be out done Barry's younger (And better looking) brother Dennis "The Butch Dolphin" Buchanan also won two awards.

Dennis won the prestigious "Most improved senior boxer" award and a 2nd award related to training the club has undertaken at the local swimming baths. The award could easily have been described as the most improved swimmer but in reality it was so much more, and it was finally decided that Dennis should receive the award for the improvement he has made to his "Driving Miss Daisy" stroke whilst wearing the most daring pair of speedo swimming trunks / thong!

Jason Prunty who impressed everyone when he had his first bout, a unanimous points win on the White Rock home show was awarded the "Most promising senior boxer" award.

The award for the "Senior boxer of the year" was won for a second year by Shaun Attrell, who enjoyed another ultra consistent year. Shaun will have his work cut out to retain the award for a third year as his fellow seniors are gunning for his title, and a batch of talented boxers coming through from the junior ranks to the senior ranks will also be in the mix - Hopefully the competition will spur all the seniors onto new levels of achievement.

The final awards presented were medals awarded to our youngest Members for either, progression to the Monday / Thursday sessions, or for effort and / or determination shown either in their boxing training or related events such as our sponsored swim.

Medals were awarded to Joe Chapman, Conner Sime, Jack Chilton, Oscar Banfield, Liam Foster, Joel Martinengo, Jack Collins and Quinten Gates.

The season was finally rounded of in the very best style as the club was awarded the Bill Blackmore Salver for outstanding achievement by the Sussex ABA, which was presented at the Sussex ABA annual presentation night, held this year at the Branch Tavern, Brighton.

The award recognised the fantastic achievements of club coaches and boxers whom travelled extensively throughout the UK during the season, the and the three excellent shows hosted by Hastings West Hill ABC.