Prizefighter claims the cash

A home of top class boxers in Carmarthen is hoping to prove a knock-out venue for more budding young participants.

The Prizefighter Gym, owned by three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Kevin Evans, has been given a Sport Wales grant of £3,450 to get more young people, particularly women and girls, through the gym doors.

The National Lottery development grant funding will help purchase a new custom made boxing ring, underlay and canvas, gloves, headguards, bags and pads.

It means the club can run new sessions for junior males and females and meet the growing demand.

The gym was opened by renowned boxer Evans (pictured) in 2007 and has attracted members from Aberystwyth and Swansea, as well as from across Carmarthenshire.

Kevin Evans won three Commonwealth medals in his career - a silver in Melbourne and bronze in Malaysia and Manchester - as well as a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships in Texas.

In September, his nephew Calum Evans - a product of the Carmarthen facility - won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man.

"This is another step for us in improving what we offer at the gym," said Evans.

"It means more equipment for those who want to come in and train and we can accommodate more people at the same time.

"We've made a commitment to try and get more youngsters through the door, which is one of the hopes I had when I first opened the gym. If I can get more youngsters interested in boxing, and produce some good fighters along the way, it goes a long way towards what I wanted to achieve."

Carwyn Young is the Sport Wales Senior Regional Officer for Carmarthenshire and worked with Kevin on the successful grant application. He commented:

"The work Kevin is putting in to increase access and participation at the gym is exactly what we are looking for.

"The equipment and facilities have been sufficient to their needs but as the club has grown so has their equipment needs. This is a natural progression in the club's development due to its success.

"He is having success at producing quality boxers and we hope that getting more people boxing will help continue that production line.

"Boxing is a sport that is always popular with the public. Now, more and more people are finding their way into local facilities to give it a try."

For more information on grants for sports clubs in Wales visit www.sportwales.org.uk.