A LOCAL boxing coach is representing Warrington on the international stage, as she takes the Great Britain Amateur Boxing squad to the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.
Amanda Groarke, who is a head coach at family-run boxing gym “Hook and Jab”, which is based on Palatine Industrial Estate, is attending the prestigious tournament in her capacity as a coach for the GB boxing squad.
The AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association) Youth World Boxing Championships is going on in the Bulgarian city of Sofia until April 25 and sees men and women boxers from around the world, aged 17-18, fight it 
out for a place at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Amanda has taken talented boxers Crystal Barker and Sophie Colburn to the tournament. Both athletes, who are also part of the Merseyside and Cheshire Boxing Squad that Amanda oversees, have enjoyed domestic and international boxing success.
Amanda has been an amateur boxing coach since 1997. She has supported the GB Women’s Boxing Squad since 2011, before gaining a permanent coaching role with the squad last year. Amanda has worked closely with celebrated British boxing stars including Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams,
Merseyside Olympian Natasha Jonas and Savannah Marshall – Britain’s first ever women’s boxing world titlist.
The coach has blazed a trail for women’s boxing in the UK – becoming the first female in the country to pass the Advanced Boxing Coach qualification. She is also one of only a select few AIBA 3-Star Boxing Coaches in the world – the highest qualification in the sport.
When Amanda isn’t working with the GB squad, she provides coaching at the Hook and Jab Boxing and Fitness Gym, which she oversees with her husband – former professional boxer Derek Groarke.
Amanda works closely with the gym’s talented Hook and Jab ABC squad, as well as boxing and fitness enthusiasts who attend the daily circuit classes at the gym.
She said: “It’s an incredible honour to be working at the highest level of my sport, coaching the GB Boxing squad. In Crystal and Sophie, we have two talented prospects who have every chance of success on the world stage. I’m excited to be working with them and the rest of the squad at this important tournament.
“I have a close relationship with all of our boxers. I don’t just focus on developing their technical skills, but also aim to build a great relationship with them and give them the confidence to fulfil their greatest potential. I couldn’t be prouder of what they have already achieved and hope that they can return from Sofia having enjoyed medal success.”
For more information on Hook and Jab Boxing and Fitness Gym, visit: hookandjab.co.uk
Pictured: Amanda Groarke (centre) with members of the GB Squad.
Boxing coach puts town on the world stage
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
