Club Background

Rathfriland Cross Community Amateur Boxing Club has been around in some form since the 1940's, having been through a number of changes, not least in where we have been located. Instead of feeling our age, we are undergoing a new lease of life with loads of new members, new programmes and (fingers crossed) a new home in the form of a community sports and wellbeing hub in the centre of Rathfriland.

Back from Lockdown 

We have spent the last two years getting our mojo back after the horrors of Covid. Since Lockdown we have launched our Girls, Commit to get fit, Up of the Canvas which includes mental health, mindfulness and healthy eating advice sessions for our members, Suicide and harmful substances workshops. 

Roll with the Punches

Our Roll with the Punches project, in partnership with the PSNI has welcomed young adults 'at risk of' or engaged in anti social behaviours around the town, into the club. Different groups over the last 18 months have taken part in a range training and fitness courses over 12 weeks. The success of this project has seen a marked reduction in occurrences of offending by young people, "The PSNI have witnessed a decrease in anti-social behaviour in the Rathfriland area stemming from young people in recent months. (Rolling with the Punches) has certainly contributed to this trend " Constable McComiskey Banbridge PSNI

Our experience in dealing with young people and the improvements we believe boxing can make to their lives is further demonstrated by the numbers of participants who complete their 12 week training and want to stay with the club. 

Personal Development 

As part of their overall, ongoing personal development, we want to encourage them to continue physical training, but address their all-round personal development. One of the key aspects of this is offering guidance and support to have a better understanding of personal finances.

We want to encourage our generous friends to help us raise £20,000 to offer practical financial support to all our members, but in particular, those who are on the fringes of criminal activity. Having a best understanding of their own finances will give them better choices and ownership of their financial choices.

This will involve developing a range of life skills, from opening a bank account, budgeting, savings, working and paying Income tax and National insurance to understanding their pay slips, knowing about P60s and P45s; from operating an online account via a banking app to preventing being victims of online fraud and scams.

How YOU can help

With everything we have happening at the club and the national Cost of Living crisis, we realise money is tight for most of us. But like previous fundraising appeals, by committing a donation via the Crowdfunder platform, Aviva will match your donation. So if you donate £10 Aviva will match this with a donation of £10 - up to a maximum of £250 per donation.

Additionally, if you give permission to reclaim Gift Aid from HMRC, we can add a further 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you.

We have always been proud of the generosity our supporters have been and have no doubt this will continue.

Thank You

Bobby Lavery

Head Coach