St Mary’s Boxing Club, located in Tallaght, Dublin, operates with the help of volunteers and is funded by the contributions of its approximately 75 members who pay between €8 and €10 each week. This club, which is like a family, provides a supportive environment where individuals can channel their energies in a positive manner, whether their interests lie in keeping fit, participating in competitions or just enjoying the sport. Participation is welcome to anyone who is eight years old or above.
The club boasts of having trained Olympic medalist Kellie Harrington and fellow Olympian Gráinne Walsh. With the likes of Isabella Hughes, an adult member, describing the strong female community within the club as a “girl gang”, it’s evident that the female representation is solid.
The walls of the club are decorated with the various achievements of its members, ranging from newspaper clippings about diverse tournaments to signs commemorating different victories and medals won in national and international competitions.
The club volunteers mandate is to offer guidance and direction that they once received through attending the club and engaging in boxing, which they admit kept them on a positive path during their formative years. Volunteers like Noel Burke and Mel Leonard believe if the young pugilists leave feeling a little better post training, they have successfully done their job.