In their first two outings as a club, Thrive Boxing Team came home with six medals from the weekend’s School National Championships 2024 Male Class B Regional Final in Billericay and the Bacup Box Cup in Lancashire, which took place on April 6 and 7.
The club, based in Harleston, were formed in April last year and are spearheaded by head coach Paul Cameron and team manager Kerry Norfolk - who is hoping to become the first female coach in the Eastern Counties to complete the prestigious Level 3 England Boxing Coaching Certificate.
On Sunday, Harry Norfolk, son of Kerry, won silver following defeat in Sunday’s final against Longs Boxing Club’s Preston Smith by unanimous decision after three rounds.
The 14-year-old, who competed in the Under-40kg class, also won gold at the Bacup Box Cup to see weeks of fitness training and crafting game-plans pay off.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Alfie Chadwick achieved a bronze medal after he fell to a contentious loss via split decision in his Under-54kg bout, which followed the silver medal he claimed the weekend before.
“For Alfie, it was the best I have ever seen him box. He was brilliant. His opponent was strong, but kept him at range,” said Norfolk, speaking on the 13-year-old’s performance.
“Interestingly, and I’ve been a judge for many years, I’ve never heard such controversy over a bout before. Everyone had scored that very differently and one of his opponents coaches called me and said ‘I thought your boxer won that’.
“The little boy has still got a smile on his face, he absolutely loved it. That’s the thing with these children, we’ve got a coaching team that works on the positives.
“We don’t get stuck on the result, because it’s all experience and what we’re trying to do is develop resilience, which bodes well for all elements of life. Those losses make you stronger and more determined.”
Elsewhere at the Bacup Box Cup, 13-year-old Jake Lambert achieved gold in the Under-50kg class and 15-year-old Elliott Cameron, fighting in the Under-60kg class, won silver.
Norfolk, who also runs the Next Generation Female Squad, is hoping to secure a permanent gym base locally so the team can train more than once a week.
“I believe if you give the children time, the right motivation, you provide a sense of security and community and you underpin that with a good sense of values, you will give those children the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
“It’s not just about competition boxing, it is about improving mental health, a sense of wellbeing and self esteem.
“We welcome children with some boundary setting and direction in their life and give them a real sense of purpose. There’s a space for everyone in a boxing community.”
