Gerry Willmott is a Met police officer and is the founder member of Haringey Police boxing club. It was one of the first Police Community Boxing Clubs of Great Britain (PCCGB) established in the year 2000 and it has become one of its most successful.
Based in the heart of Tottenham, an economically deprived area of London with a very high crime rate, we work with many youths some of whom are very disadvantaged. We believe boxing can provide a positive influence in many young people's lives. Moreover, we have witnessed the important role a club like ours plays in an especially tough area where many have otherwise become victims of their environment. We are proud to say that some of our members have, with the support of the club, taken control of their lives, their health and fitness and been able to apply the discipline the sport of boxing to their everyday lives. We adopt the ethos of our umbrella organization (PCCGB) which supports youth and community groups throughout Great Britain in initiatives which enhance young people's life skills and promote social inclusion by helping them to make the most of their potential and become responsible citizens.
Haringey have achieved a great deal in a relatively short space of time but none of their achievements would have been possible without the hard work of Gerry Willmott who in the very first year (2000) had two members win titles in the novice championships and their hard working treasurer Ken Marsh. Ken is key figure working behind the scenes raising important funds so that they can keep their doors open and not only function on a daily basis but organise trips away, like their annual trip to the Angered box cup in Sweden where their members have achieved great success.
Haringey however would not be Haringey without the well known figure of Brian John who joined the club in 2001 after serving over 20 years with St. Pancras as boxer & coach. A dedicated member of the Haringey team, threy are extremely lucky to have such an experienced head coach at the helm.
In 2005 Terri Kelly joined the club as an experienced match maker having spent 20 years working behind the scenes at All Stars ABC in West London. The number of bouts per season has more than doubled over the past few years and the club has gone from strength to strength with 4 national novice finalists in 2005, Ola Ekundayo reached the ¼ finals of the ABA's in 2006 and Ashley Sexton (who joined in 2006) has represented not only the club but England on several occasions. In the last Boxing News Four Nations ratings Haringey were proud to say that there were four Haringey members included. Haringey fully intend to continue as they are and are working towards more high honours which we hope to achieve in the not to distant future.
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