An Arbourthorne boxing club helping youth stay out of crime is at risk of closure after the owner of the building demands property back.
The club, which has been running for 33 years, is at risk of closure after the Spring Lane Pupil Referral Unit, which houses the club, requested their facility back on the basis that many young people are being excluded.
Head Coach, Ronny Tucker, said the club was informed of this decision by the head teacher via email.
He said: “The sad part is she’s not interested in our young people and she’s not interested in the community, and that’s quite evident from the way she’s acted. She never sat us down and talked to us. It’s all been by email.”
Aspire Boxing Club is situated on Spring Lane in Arbourthorne, which ranked as the fourth most deprived ward in Sheffield during the 2017 consensus.
They offer free lessons to disadvantaged youths in the Arbourthorne community and help young people stay out of a life of crime.
The club, which has been described as a “safe space” for young people, provides a free facility run by volunteers and care leavers so cost is not a barrier to young people getting involved in sports.
He said: “We’re a great resource for people and if we close, what do young people do? There’s no provision for them.”
Aspire Boxing Club collaborates with local schools, conducting presentations and conferences tackling various issues like violence against women, knife crime, poverty, and community cohesion.
Mr Tucker said, “Without sport and without volunteers like us, I think the country would be in a worse place than it is now.”
Parents reported children who attended the club have improved at school, solved behavioural issues, and become more disciplined.
He said the club’s closure could result in reformed young people returning to a life of crime, adding that he is “saddened” privileged people are making decisions for the underprivileged.
Councillor Ben Miskell has been active in fighting the club’s closure. He said: “Having visited it last week and having talked to many of the young people, I know that it would be a travesty if it was to close down.”
He added he does not see another place in Arbourthorne where the club could move and the best solution would be for both parties to get together to discuss.
“Closing down the club would hurt the Arbourthorne community since many of the young people I talked to are at risk of being involved in organised crime and exploitation.”
A former care leaver said: “Aspire Boxing is more than just a gym, it’s a community for young people who don’t have the same privileges as everyone else.
“Taking the gym away would do more than just take away the space, I would take away opportunities from those who need them the most.”
Mr Tucker called for support and requested signatures for their petition.
He said: “Without this gym here, where would all these young people be? They’d be on the street causing more problems.”
A council meeting will be held on the 21st of February joined by Councillor Miskell, to discuss the closure of the gym.
To sign the petition and stop Aspire Boxing Gym from closure, visit https://www.change.org/p/save-aspire-boxing-club-from-closure-in-arbourthorne-sheffield
