Boxing coach wins unsung hero award
The selfless hard work of a Chatham boxing coach has been recognised at the BBC South East Sports Awards BBC South East Sports Awards
Brompton Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) stalwart Billy Beck was named the Unsung Hero of the Year at the regional awards ceremony held at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium.
Billy dedicated his award to popular Brompton boxer Ben Johnson, whose sudden death on 13 November through leukaemia has rocked the club.
 Picture courtesy of BBC South East |
Ben, 17, had been with the club three years. He had gone home from training on a Monday evening feeling unwell and tragically died the following day. Billy said the whole club had been devastated by the loss. He said: "He was really such a lovely guy and nothing was too much for him." Billy has been working with youngsters at the club for 27 years and was nominated for the award by talented boxer Elliott Reid and his mother, Beverley. |
Elliott said: "I used to be really unco-ordinated and not very fit. Since going to Brompton ABC, I have become really fit and never miss a training session. I think it has helped my schoolwork, as I can concentrate better and I would never drink or smoke because it would affect my fitness.
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"Billy is brilliant. When I decided I wanted to get christened this summer, I asked him to be my godfather. I know I can call him whenever I need his advice on anything." Beverley said Billy was like a father figure to many of the young boxers: "Apart from the mums who come to watch their sons, it is very much an all-male environment, which is vitally important for the lads who do not have a male role model in their life. |
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"Everyone has Billy's phone number and he is always available. I cannot emphasise enough how much Billy deserves to be recognised for his hard work and dedication. I see time and again how their dedication echoes that of Billy."
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One of Billy's success stories is Medway 2012 elite athlete and Medway Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Jordan Dennis. But Billy doesn't just work with top athletes like Jordan. He won't turn anyone away from the training nights, which always attract dozens of young boxers of all abilities. |
He said: "We are a family club and it's not all about the boxing."
Billy, as the regional winner of the BBC South East Unsung Hero award, supported by Robinsons Drinks, received a bursary to help with the development of boxing and went forward to the grand final where he was short-listed, but narrowly missed out on, the national prize.