World Champion boxer Amir Khan, who established Gloves Community Centre in his home town of Bolton, is awarded a plaque to celebrate the Club achieving Clubmark.

It was presented at the Club's sports awards evening at Bolton's Reebok Stadium. Olympic Silver Medallist and WBA World Champion Amir Khan is pictured left with the plaque.

Colin Hayes, a volunteer coach at Gloves and who led the accreditation process, highlighted the value that Clubmark has already brought to the Club:

‘Achieving the accreditation has allowed us to demonstrate to potential funders that we follow good practice. Our Local Authority will only fund organisations that have achieved or are working towards Clubmark. It ensures that we provide a fully inclusive service and the process really helps to lay a firm foundation for future growth. We are committed to helping the ABAE to provide a world class sports for all and to promote lifelong learning and participation in boxing.'

Gloves gave thanks for the professional advice and support they received from Bolton Council's Sport Health and Inclusion Department and Bolton's Boxing Development Officer, Mark Liptrot, in securing the accreditation.

Matthew Williams, the ABAE's National Club & Coach Manager commented:

‘In Amir Khan, Gloves have an ambassador that the community can be proud of, and in Gloves Community Centre they have a boxing club to be proud of. We are delighted to award Gloves our Clubmark Accreditation and are sure that they will build on this success and continue to go from strength to strength.'

For further information or if you would like to register your club for accreditation, please contact the ABAE on 0114 223 5654 or at membership@abae.org.uk