04/09/2026
Head Coach’s Report
National Smelting Co Amateur Boxing Club — 2025–2026 Season
What a season it has been.
As I look back over the past year, I feel an enormous sense of pride in what we have achieved together. This has been a season built on hard work, commitment, resilience and teamwork — and the results speak for themselves.
One of our outstanding achievements was winning the London Belts Tournament for the third consecutive year. With seven champions, alongside two other clubs achieving the same number, we finished as joint winners. To achieve this once is something to celebrate. To do it three years running demonstrates the quality, determination and consistency running through our club.
We also made history by winning the inaugural Bristol Golden Gloves, an achievement that will forever be part of this club’s story. Our squad has already been entered for the next tournament, and we are ready to defend our title and take on the next challenge.
Throughout the season, our boxers, coaches and officials have worked tirelessly, travelling to approximately 30 shows and being involved in around 100 bouts. Behind every bout is preparation, sacrifice, nerves, courage and determination. Every time one of our boxers steps through those ropes, they represent not only themselves, but their families, their coaches and the entire National Smelting Co ABC family.
We were also proud to host two successful home shows at Shirehampton Public Hall, in October and March. These events showcased the strength of our club and gave our boxers the opportunity to perform in front of their home supporters.
Our boxers have also travelled far beyond Bristol, including trips to Scotland, and we were extremely proud to see two of our boxers selected to represent the SW ABA against Scotland at the iconic Celtic Park in Glasgow. Moments like these demonstrate just how far our boxers can go when they believe in themselves and put in the work.
But behind every success is a team.
I want to place on record my huge appreciation and thanks to our Coaching Team and Officials. They have given countless hours of their time, travelled the length and breadth of the country and continually put the needs of our boxers first. Their dedication is one of the foundations of everything we have achieved.
Our membership remains strong, with 24 carded boxers, and that number represents much more than statistics. It represents 24 individuals working to improve themselves, 24 stories, 24 journeys and 24 reasons why this club continues to grow.
We are also building for something much bigger.
Our plans for a new gym and sports venue continue to move forward, with the project now at the final planning committee approval stage following positive support from the relevant agencies. This has been a long journey, but we have continued to push forward. We believe this facility could transform what we are able to offer our boxers and our wider community for many years to come.
At the same time, we have continued investing in our existing gym, with improvements including new eco-friendly lighting, heat pumps, a sound system and a new toilet block. These improvements are about creating an environment where our members can train, develop and be proud to call the club their home.
I would also like to give a massive thank you to all our club sponsors. Their generosity and continued support make a real difference. Without them, many of the opportunities our boxers have enjoyed — including travelling to competitions, tournaments and shows — simply would not be possible.
And finally, to our Smelters Belters boxers.
You have been absolutely outstanding.
You have trained when it was difficult. You have travelled, competed, won, lost, learned and come back stronger. Many of you have won titles and belts, but your greatest achievement is the progress you have made as individuals.
You are a credit to yourselves, your families, your coaches and this club.
Never forget that boxing is not just about what happens inside the ring. It is about the person you become because you were brave enough to step through the ropes.
The future of National Smelting Co ABC is incredibly exciting. We have talented boxers, dedicated coaches, loyal supporters, fantastic sponsors and a club that continues to grow.
We have already achieved a great deal.
But I believe our best days are still ahead of us.
So let’s keep working.
Let’s keep believing.
Let’s keep supporting each other.
And let’s keep raising the standard.
One club. One team. One journey.
Keep Punching!
Yours in Sport,
Garry Cave
Head Coach
National Smelting Co ABC
