YOUNG ATHLETES from Stourport Spartans Boxing Club will step into the ring at The Magnet Centre in Birmingham tomorrow (Saturday, April 18).
The event marks a significant moment in their development and a proud occasion for the local community.
Based at The Forum in the heart of Stourport-on-Severn, the club has steadily established itself as a nurturing ground for aspiring boxers of all ages. The club places a strong emphasis on discipline, fitness and confidence. Stourport Spartans provides structured coaching for children and adults alike, alongside schemes such as its popular Women’s BoxHit class, held weekly.
This weekend’s event represents more than just a series of bouts. It is the culmination of months of rigorous training, personal commitment and teamwork.
Four promising young boxers will represent the club – Bailey Abson-Cresswell, Gracie Hart, Frisco Loveridge and Jamie Quilligan. Each will enter the ring carrying not only their own ambitions but also the pride of their club and community.
Perfect venue to showcase their skills
The Magnet Centre, known for its longstanding association with grassroots sport and combat disciplines, provides a fitting stage for the occasion. With its heritage rooted in Birmingham’s industrial sporting culture, the venue hosts events to showcase emerging talent and local dedication.
For the Spartans, fight night is both a test and a celebration – an opportunity to demonstrate technical skill, resilience and composure under pressure.
Keaton Rushton, boxing coach at Stourport Spartans, has played a pivotal role in preparing the young fighters for this moment.
Reflecting on their journey, he said: “These bouts are about far more than winning or losing.
”What matters is the character these young people have built along the way.
“The discipline they’ve shown, the respect they’ve developed for one another and the confidence they carry both inside and outside the gym – that’s what makes me proud.”
Rushton emphasised boxing at grassroots level was as much about personal growth as it was about competition.
“At Stourport Spartans, we focus on creating a positive environment where young people can thrive.
“Seeing them step into the ring ready to give their best is incredibly rewarding because I know how much work they’ve put in behind the scenes.”
He added the club’s ethos extended beyond sport.
“We’re building not just boxers, but well-rounded individuals. The lessons they learn here – commitment, resilience, respect – stay with them for life.”
Hoping for support
As anticipation builds, supporters are being encouraged to attend and show their backing. The event promises an evening of spirited competition, but also a demonstration of the strong community values that underpin amateur boxing.
Tickets are available directly through the club or via the participating boxers, with organisers hopeful of a strong turn-out.
Stourport Spartans said April 18 was ‘not merely a date in the calendar – it was a milestone in the journey of four young athletes and a testament to the power of sport in shaping futures’.
Click here for more on Stourport Spartans from the club’s Facebook page.
