70th Anniversary - 2008
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 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 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 "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.
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". 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 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 coach Paul Martin, head coach Dave Bishop and coach Gary White (As pictured below) were 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 traveled extensively throughout the UK during the season, the success achieved by club boxers throughout the season and the three excellent shows hosted by Hastings Westhill ABC, all of which attracted the top names in the sport.
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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 Westhill boxers both past and present.
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.
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, who were both
having their debut bout, and Shaun Attrell for receiving the
"Boxer of the night award". Pictured left are Jean
Marc Frivole of Crawley ABC and Dennis Buchanan of Hastings
Westhill ABC going at it in a very close and exciting bout -
The results
of the show were as follows:
Michael
Coyle Foley ABC
Conner
Sime Hastings Westhill ABC
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
- no doubt sales of pain killers increased in Hastings, the
day after!
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
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.
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!
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. 
