Dean Sugden of Newark Amateur Boxing Club helps England at the Enrique Rodriguez memorial tournament
A HEAD coach at Newark Amateur Boxing Club has helped England's senior squad to a tournament triumph.
Dean Sugden has recently been appointed as one of England's Pathway Coaches and he has been in Spain at the Enrique Rodriguez memorial tournament helping out with the senior elite team.
The squad secured the trophy for best team of the tournament with a medal haul of four gold, one silver and three bronze, which was enough to pip France to the crown by one gold medal.
Sugden said: "To be asked by Amanda Coulson, England’s performance lead national coach, to join the recently-formed senior elite team out in Palencia was an absolute honour.
"Eight of the nine English boxers got to stand on the podium, with all four gold medallists coming through three back-to-back victories to claim gold.
"The only England boxer not to win a medal was defeated by a Cuban who went on to win gold and be awarded the title of boxer of the tournament."
Coulson added: "The squad showed some good signs with strong performances.
"In what was our second outing for the newly-formed England Boxing senior team, it not only met but exceeded all our expectations. The medals are good but some of the performances were outstanding and showed that this young, inexperienced team has great potential."
Coulson was joined by Sugden and England Boxing performance coach Jason Gledhill, along with the team physio Natasha Barnes, all of whom played a pivotal part in helping the boxers remain in peak condition to perform.
Sugden said: "I loved the trip and the opportunity to help some of these boxers achieve their goal of getting a gold medal internationally.
"They're all on a very exciting journey, which could mean they get the chance to box at the Olympics, and already two of the boxers previously selected to be part of the newly-formed England senior team have since been moved into the GB podium squad.
"Throughout the week, we all worked really well together and Team England stood out not just for its discipline and behaviour but also for its skill and individuality in the squared circle.
"After returning to Newark on Sunday evening, I'm now back to Newark Amateur Boxing Club (based at Suggy's Gym on Castlegate) for a week or so before heading back up to Sheffield for the weekend.
“These are really exciting times for our club right now, with Box Cups and championships on the horizon and our next home show taking place at Farndon Memorial Hall on Friday, December 1, so plenty for our young boxers to look forward to."
