Sunderland boxer Tony Jeffries reckons new gym is a knock-out

Nov 17 2009 By The Journal

NORTH East Olympic boxer Tony Jeffries thinks a new sports gym really packs a punch.

Jeffries, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games, officially opened The East Durham Boxing Gymnasium, which is based at East Durham College, where he used to be a student.

The boxing gym is part of the Prescott Sports Centre at the new-look campus in Peterlee. The Sports Centre cost approximately £2m, which formed part of the £36m new build at Willerby Grove.

Jeffries, from Sunderland, said: "I’m delighted to have been asked to open this great gym, it has got some brilliant facilities.

"All I wanted to do was go to the Olympic Games - my goal was to go and I was working towards it.

"Then I came to this college when I was 16 and I really do think if it was not for the coaching of Dave Binns and the help of Ian Prescott, the principal, I probably would have got to the Olympics but would not have got the medal, so I’d really like to thank them for that.

"It’s not guaranteed if you come to this college and work with Dave you’ll go to the Olympics and win a medal –I think I was a lucky one. But you might if you work hard and keep trying - I’m sure you'll achieve what you have set out to do."

Mr Prescott, the principal and chief executive, said: "The new boxing gym and sports centre is a real jewel in the crown of this fantastic new campus.

"They offer the students of the college, and the wider community, the facilities they deserve."

To find out more about the new facilities call the Sport Team on (0191) 518-8310.

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Read Tony Jeffries' blog at www.journallive.co.uk/blogs