Boxing Star’s Visit Inspires Students

Students at East Riding College were inspired by a visit from Great Britain boxing star Amanda Coulson to one of their sports sessions.

The former Amateur Boxing Association British champion coached learners and took part in a question and answer session during one of their weekly boxing coaching sessions at the Beverley campus.

It forms part of the College’s Active! scheme, which aims to encourage students who are less likely to play sport to take part in regular exercise.

The visit was made possible by Sportivate, a National Lottery funded Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative, which funds the boxing sessions that are delivered at the College by City of Hull Amateur Boxing club’s Bob Beautyman.

Student Jason Cooper, 16, said:

“It was a really good experience boxing with Amanda. It’s so inspiring knowing where she came from and what she went onto achieve.”

Christie Lamb, 18, said:

“I really enjoyed the session and Amanda was excellent. You could see she’s really talented.”

Matt Jeffery, the College’s sport maker, who organises regular activities for learners, said:

“The students have really been enjoying the boxing sessions here at college and the visit of Amanda will hopefully inspire them to keep at it.”

“For them to hear from a real life elite athlete, what you can achieve if you put your mind to it, really made an impression on them.”

To help inspire and motivate Sportivate participants, Sport England’s Sporting Champions team of current and retired elite athletes, many of whom competed at London 2012, are visiting Sportivate sessions to share their experiences and enthusiasm for sport.

In her capacity as a Sporting Champion, Amanda hopes she can use the inspiring memories of London 2012 to help the young people at this boxing project which is supported by the Humber Sports Partnership, stay in sport one year on from the Olympic Games.

She said:

“I really enjoyed visiting this exciting Sportivate boxing project at East Riding College. The opportunity to support such community sports programmes is a real privilege for me.”

“I’m hopeful that by using the Olympic and Paralympic legacy from London 2012 and through my experiences in competing at elite level, I can inspire all the young people in attendance to sustain their sports participation.”