Young fighters from Surbiton Boxing Club have built a strong bond with their counterparts from Hull after a cultural exchange between two Kingstons separated by 230 miles.
Dubbed Project Athelstan, and co-ordinated by Martin Ellis of Waverley Avenue, Surbiton, the initiative involved 10 young boxers from Kingston upon Hull travelling down to the club behind the old telephone exchange in Ewell Road – between St Mark’s Hill and Berrylands Road.

As well as training and sparring with Surbiton’s pugilists, the Hull contingent enjoyed a slap-up meal at the Royal British Legion, Hollyfield Road, funded by the Surbiton Labour Party, which is backing the project.

“The kids from Hull were great – relaxed, confident and clearly had a good relationship with their coaches,” said writer and historian Bob Phillips, who attended.
A tour of London included a visit to Parliament where the Hull contingent met Hull East MP Karl Turner, who promised to help them find urgently needed new premises. If all goes well, boxers from Surbiton will be among the first to visit.

Martin’s hope is that boxing can help combat anxiety and benefit mental well-being as well as bringing together communities which would otherwise not interact.
“The aim is to help reunite the country by promoting social cohesion via cultural exchanges which open people up to new experiences, and break down prejudices,” he said.
Sean Ross, head coach of East Hull Boxing Academy, said: “The boxers really looked forward to the trip, especially training at another club.

“It was a fantastic experience as, being from a socially deprived area, not many kids get that opportunity.”

The name Athelstan refers to the coronation in Kingston nearly 1,100 years ago which united England. It is hoped it will be a blueprint for similar twinning exercises to forge links between clubs.

Set up in 2013 to coach youngsters in competitive Olympic-style amateur boxing, Surbiton Boxing Club has enthusiastic qualified coaches leading training, but it also runs non-contact recreational sessions for anyone wanting to improve their fitness levels.
Full details at www.surbitonboxingclub.co.uk

Young members of boxing clubs in Surbiton and Hull enjoy a visit