Agenda item

Boxing

14.1

It was formally moved by Councillor John Booker, and formally seconded by Councillor Jack Clarkson, that this Council:-

(a)      recognises that boxing and related training can help where many social problems manifest themselves, for example, deprived communities and disadvantaged people, many who face a world of "gritty" social issues, such as gang-related crime, violence in their schools and local areas;

(b)      acknowledges that boxing has been described as "a universal language" and as a "working class sport played all over the world";

(c)      believes that, rather than serving as a release for aggression, the role of boxing is better viewed as a replacement for aggression;

(d)      further believes that everyone involved in boxing knows its benefits; it is a vehicle to learn or develop values and skills which lead to discipline, self-control and defence, exercise, fitness and diet, and above all, self-belief and confidence;

(e)      hopes to see more boxing gyms in more areas and boxing training available in all schools for those who wish to take part; and

(f)       further recognises that sport holds a unique position within the field of development, despite a limited understanding of the vital role it plays.

14.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Lisa Baines, and formally seconded by Councillor Mark Jones, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the insertion, in paragraph (a), of the words “all sport, including” between the words “recognises that” and “boxing”; and

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (g) to (k) as follows:-

(g)      believes that though boxing can have a positive impact on individuals, it is essential that proper safeguards are in place for the safety of participants and that boxing clubs in our city, and throughout the country, comply with the proper safeguards, health and safety and care and protection of young people attending boxing clubs; and understands that medical studies have shown that there can be negative long-term effects for professional boxers and this is why it is so crucial that proper safety measures are in place for amateur boxing in our city;

(h)      acknowledges that Sheffield has a proud history of supporting boxing; the Olympian boxing team of 2016 trained at the English Institute of Sport and  reference should be given to the legendary Brendon Ingle gym in Wincobank, where hundreds of children and adults train at the gym every week, together with professionals, and many Champions have been produced from the gym – specifically 4 x World Champions, 6 x European Champions, 15 x British and Commonwealth Champions - which makes him one of the most successful trainers ever to grace the sport; and notes that many of the children and young adults never actually box but enjoy the training, and youngsters from difficult backgrounds and from many different cultures attend and a lot of work is done within the community in breaking down racial barriers;  Dominic Ingle often takes his boxers into schools, helping to build social cohesion and overcome racial tensions; and furthermore, Brendon Ingle was awarded the MBE a few years ago for his commitments to Boxing and the Wincobank Community and he and his trainers and volunteers are very highly respected and loved by the local community;

(i)       recognises that the present Administration has shown consistent commitment to helping boxing clubs which meet the required level of safeguarding and is taking action against unlicensed boxing in the city; of particular note in this is the Council’s work with the group Youth Justice and their member responsible for gangs in the city, Ronnie Tucker; with work being done to clamp down on unlicensed, or “white collar”, boxing that does not have the proper medical support on site, and work is being done to stop unlicensed boxing taking place at Council venues; Ronnie Tucker was commended by Sports England for his work with boxing in schools and he has stated publically about the support he has had from Councillors Mike Drabble and Jackie Drayton;

(j)       asserts that there are many more examples than the aforementioned of the work done by this Administration in support of all sporting clubs, including boxing, in our city and that, as long as proper safeguards are enforced, this Administration will continue to champion sporting clubs, such as boxing, in the city; and

(k)      asserts that Sheffield is a very safe city and that gang violence is comparatively low, but contends that Sheffield City Council will continue to work with communities on improving this.

14.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

14.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-