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Inverness Boxing club sees drop in numbers over fears caused by coronavirus


By Andrew Henderson

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Inverness City Boxing Club head coach Laurie Redfern says numbers attending his classes have been affected by pandemic fears.

Laurie Redfern feature - Inverness City Boxing Club...Picture: Callum Mackay..
Laurie Redfern feature - Inverness City Boxing Club...Picture: Callum Mackay..

Limited numbers have been allowed to return to training, although specifically what clubs are able to do has been affected by Boxing Scotland guidelines.

Strict track and trace processes have been implemented, as well as the installation of sanitising points.

Still though, especially among the younger age groups, Redfern is finding that there is a hesitancy to return to the club – although he does understand the caution.

“Some of the kids’ classes are a bit thin on the ground, but I can understand that if some of their parents aren’t too sure about letting them come along,” he explained.

“For the bigger ones, and for the women that come to the boxing fitness, they have piled back in.

“It’s a little bit up and down some nights, but I think it’s going to take a bit of time for actual boxing to take place.

“Boxing Scotland say we’re not allowed to spar for contact, and I think it’s the same in judo as well, there’s no contact right now in any of those sports.

“I don’t agree with it totally, because if you’re playing rugby or football, there’s plenty of contact there, but that’s the rule for boxing.

“I can’t even hold pads for people to punch, so that might be a bit hard on people who want to do that.”

Redfern has been involved in boxing for 50 years, but the desire to continue is still there.

After coaching masses of amateur champions, he is approaching a significant milestone and wants to reach it before retiring.

“I’ve produced 98 amateur champions so far in my career, I don’t want to kick the bucket now before the end,” Redfern insisted.

“I want to get to 100, that will do me. It has kept me going all these days, getting a job as a coach for Scotland made me stay in it longer than I probably would have.

“Hopefully there’s not another shutdown, because if gyms shut again that would be it I think.

“Lots of gyms have gone down, let’s hope it picks up soon because I still want to make champions.”


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