(APR 23)  Few tournaments in Europe are as well supported as the Haringey Box Cup and this year promises to be no exception as record entries have already been pouring in to the Haringey Police Community BC offices by email, online and fax as well as in the post.

If you are a coach or boxer from not only Europe but anywhere, then take this last opportunity of entering. You will not regret it as you will meet up with fellow boxers from Europe and beyond and of course that includes those from not only England, Scotland and Wales but also boxers from throughout Ireland.

This is the eight edition of the tournament, one whose roll of honour includes Olympic Champions Nicola Adams (herself a member of the Haringey Police Community Club) and Ireland’s five times world champion and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor.

The Club’s chiefs, PC Gerry Willmott and PC Ken Marsh were honoured by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2010 for their service to the community, based in Tottenham.

It was founded in 1999 by PC Willmott as a way for the borough's young men to get fit, learn discipline and to deter them from loitering on the street.

The following year, he was joined by PC Marsh, whose then 16-year career had been spent in Haringey, and who took on the role of event co-ordinator, fundraiser and treasurer.

There are two other ‘key players’ in the club, who work ‘day and night’ especially at this time of year, to organise the tournament and answer queries from boxers and coaches from all over the world. Haringey Box Cup would not be the great success story that it is without the hard work and long hours put in by Brian John and Terri Kelly.

So what is special about Haringey Police Community Club and what makes it stand out from other similar Box Cups in Europe?

Apart from boxing, the club plays a vital role year round for the local community. At the time of receiving his award PC Ken Marsh had this to say to ‘Local London’

"I don't do it for the rewards, I do it to get young people in Haringey off the streets and to steer them away from antisocial behaviour."

Gerry Wilmott’s view? : "Our boxing club gets young people off the streets and away from the risk of becoming involved in crime.

"Being part of our club means making the right choices and rejecting negative influences, through discipline, self-respect and attaining a healthy life-style."

"Some of the youngsters that have come to our club were known to police for the wrong reasons and through boxing, they have turned their lives around."

The Area’s Chief Superintendent added his praise:

"Ken and Gerry's commitment to the boxing club has led to many young people turning their lives around, potentially steering them away from crime.

"The club has achieved outstanding results, none of which could have been achieved without their hard work. I am delighted their dedication to serving young people in Haringey has been recognised in this way and I congratulate them both on receiving this honour."

Many of the young people that box at the club have been referred by the youth offending service. The club aims to help young people into a disciplined sport where they can gain confidence and feel better about themselves, potentially steering them away from anti-social behaviour and helping them to make the most of their potential and become responsible.
 
Around 300 entries are expected this year

Traditionally there has always been a strong Irish contingent both male and female and again this year it is expected that a number of the top Irish seniors and juniors will be present. Early entries have been received from such as Dervla Duffy ,Kelly Harrington, Niamh Ball and hopefully others will join them and gain valuable experience against the top stars from other countries.

As usual one expects strong representation from Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and the Netherlands – Switzerland too. Previously we have seen such as Ingrid Egner, Helena Falk,Sandra Brugger,Mira Potkonen in action and of course many of the top ‘local’ boxers will enter including Unity’s Paige Murney and Dominica’s world championships representative Valerian Spice who boxes out of the nearby Islington Club.

Many of the leading British boxers will as usual take place – one confirmed entry is that of Stacey Copeland (69kg) anxious to regain a title she won here some three years ago.  Two years ago her final bout fell through when her opponent withdrew and last year she hurt her hand at the European’s the week before so could not take part. That she was looking forward to competing so soon after the Europeans just goes to show how highly esteemed this tournament really is.

Whilst preparing for this weekend’ s English ABA Elite championships in Liverpool, Stacey took time out tonight to tell WBAN : “It’s a great tournament, lovely atmosphere, and really well run. It’s great meeting boxers from other places at home and abroad, it’s a really special sport we’re part of”.

As of late Wednesday night, Terri Kelly confirmed that whilst all male places were taken, indeed oversubscribed, it was likely she could accept a small number of additional entries from female boxers.