A YEAR after being ringside to watch world-class boxers compete at the Commonwealth Games, a group of young people from Urban Heard youth centre inSolihull, are now pulling on the gloves themselves as part of its legacy.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), visited Urban Heard as part of his one-year Games anniversary tour to see how communities across all parts of the region are already benefiting from the legacy.
Urban Heard is one of 300 grassroots sport and community groups that shared 16,000 pieces of sports equipment used by elite athletes last summer as part of a kit giveaway.
The 12 to 17-year-olds have been using the donated boxing gloves to ‘let off steam’ as part of the centre’s mentoring work.
But, with the first anniversary of the Games approaching, they are now working with England Boxing to introduce formal boxing training sessions to their weekly activities.
The Mayor said: “It was great to see the fantastic opportunities that Urban Heard and Colebridge Trust are providing to local people of all ages in the aftermath of last summer’s Commonwealth Games.
“These are wonderful examples of the tangible legacy that we’re determined to deliver right across our region thanks to our £70 million Legacy Enhancement Fund.”
Following discussions with the Mayor, the UK Government agreed to invest that money back into the region to enhance the legacy.
Charly Slater, chief executive and founder of Urban Heard, said: “I’m so proud that we’re part of the Commonwealth Games legacy and helping to ensure that now and in the future youngsters in this area will see some long-term benefit and be provided with a safe space, trusted adults and opportunities to thrive.
“It’s been such an amazing journey to go from very generously being given free tickets to watch the Games a year ago to having official kit of our own, and now working with England Boxing to see how we can run proper boxing sessions for our young people.”
