Elite fighters from UCB鈥檚 Boxing Academy have graduated in the knowledge they have been 鈥渁bsolutely on the right path鈥� to success.
Proud families gathered at UCB to watch boxers graduate from the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE). It is the only course of its kind in the West Midlands which allows boxers to combine college studies with the tuition and training required to reach the top of the sport.
At the ceremony UCB鈥檚 Olympic hopeful Carl Fail was named UK AASE Champion for 2016. Carl, Britain鈥檚 top amateur welterweight, spoke of his pride at completing the course. He said: 鈥淭his is proof that all the hard work has paid off.鈥澛�
The UCB Boxing Academy is run in partnership with England Boxing. Speaking after the ceremony, David Thorley, England Boxing Talent Pathway Manager, said Carl was a great role model for the ASSAE programme. He said: 鈥淐arl鈥檚 achievement has been phenomenal.鈥�
He explained that ASSAE produced 鈥渨ell-rounded鈥� athletes who understood 鈥渨hat they were doing, and why they were doing it鈥�. He added: 鈥淲e have boxers coming to the England programme with an educated point-of-view on nutrition and conditioning. ASSAE is adding to their boxing knowledge.鈥�
Molly Perkins, the first female to graduate from UCB鈥檚 Boxing Academy, said UCB鈥檚 coaches and tutors had made the experience 鈥渢he best鈥�. The 18-year-old added: 鈥淚t has been hard work, but I鈥檝e enjoyed it.鈥�
Director of ASSAE Lisa Godwin told graduates: 鈥淎SSAE is huge in this country. The Government has recognised we need to support and fund our elite athletes. You have absolutely been on the right path. I am so, so proud of you all and the way you manage to juggle everything in your life. ASSAE is not for the weak, it鈥檚 for those who really believe in themselves.鈥�
For more information please visit the UCB鈥檚 Boxing Academy聽.
