FOR three decades now a community boxing club has provided a place for youngsters to go.

Micky’s Athletic Boxing Club has had a nomadic existence with bases in Wombwell, Wath, Mexborough and now back in their native Brampton.

Run by the Wale family, their home at the former Cortonwood Miners’ Welfare is now secured and has become a big part of the community.

The main aim is to give youngsters a place to get healthy, make friends, build confidence and in some cases edge back onto the straight and narrow.

For those that go on to box as amateurs, they have a perfect place to showcase their skills on glitzy shows at the Metrodome.

The club currently has 12 carded amateurs and many more coming to classes from the Mini Outlaws (aged six to nine), right up to seniors in their latter teenage years.

The club has now been put forward in the Young Champions awards for the role it plays in its local community.

It’s an honour for the club’s founder Mick Wale who runs the club with his son, the former British bantamweight champion Josh Wale.

He said: “To be nominated is recognition that we’re doing a good job and have been doing so for 30 years now.

“The gym is still full of volunteers and the intention is to make these kids better boxers but first and foremost better people.

“The Mini Outlaws has been a big success and we get feedback from the schools about it.

“It’s then a natural progression for them - some go onto box but some have been set up with their lifestyle.

“We have professional boxers but we are predominantly an amateur club and a big part of our community.”