LATEST V.I.P NEWS

26/03/12 - "Warriors" Show Keeps Fans Happy
Our fourth show was our first dinner show and the DWSF Lounge at the DW Stadium in Wigan provided an excellent location. The fans enjoyed a two-course meal at the home of Wigan Athletic Football Club and Wigan Warriors Rugby Club, followed by eleven top class amateur boxing contests. The "Boxer of the Night" award went to Lewis Broad for his points victory over Scottish boxer Dennis Broadhurst. You can find a full write up on the show here.

27/02/12 - Tickets Available for "Warriors" Show

 Warriors Boxing Show  Tickets are now available for our next show, which will be a dinner show on Saturday 24th March at the DW Stadium, Wigan. A table of 10 costs £250 and includes a two course meal followed by an evening of amateur boxing featuring Astley V.I.P's brightest local talent. To purchase tickets please email us or contact any of the boxers on the show.

20/02/12 - COMING SOON... Women's Fitness Sessions

Astley V.I.P is now running a weekly women's fitness session. The one hour sessions will start on Tuesday 6th March and will cost £5 per session. Sessions will include bag work, pad work, full body circuits and abs circuits. All equipment is provided and there are no joining fees or membership fees. All levels of fitness are welcome - so come down to the gym at 6pm on a Tuesday night and join in. Get fit for summer in a fun and friendly environment. If you need any more information please email us.  Women Only Fitness Sessions

17/10/11 - NW CYP Title for Jonny Brown

 North West CYP Championships 2011  Congratulations to Jonny Brown who captured the North West CYP Title on Saturday with a points win over A.Taylor from Middleton Select. Jonny will box the Merseyside Champion this week for a place in the National Quarter Final. There was disapointment in the same championships for last year's National Finalist Andrew Fleming who lost out on points to J.Catterall from Leigh.

01/08/11 - New Sponsor for Astley V.I.P

Leigh's premier live music club - Bar Bliss - has today agreed an ongoing sponsorship deal with Astley V.I.P Boxing. The deal will help with the running costs of the Club for the next couple of seasons and will also involve Bar Bliss hosting after show parties following our Club shows. Thanks to Darren Adams and his team for their generous support.  Bar Bliss

28/06/11 - End of Season Presentation Night
Astley V.I.P ended their season with a presentation night at the gym, which included the second running of the annual V.I.P Olympics followed by a BBQ for boxers and their families to celebrate a successful season. British Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla was in attendance to present the prizes. The big winners on the night were Lewis Broad (Astley V.I.P Olympics Champion 2011), Lewis Bartlett (Astley V.I.P Boxers' Boxer of the Year 2010/11), Lewis Broad (Club Member of the Year 2010/11) and Andrew Fleming (Thomas McCulloch Memorial Cup Boxer of the Year 2010/11). You can find a full write up - and photos - from the presentation night here.

03/06/11 - Final Show of the Season Goes Down Well With the Fans

Show Poster Astley V.I.P held their final show of the season at Leigh Miners Rugby Club last night and the fans enjoyed another well matched show with wins for home fighters Ethan Greenhalgh, Andrew Fleming, Nathan Swift, Michael Tang and Lewis Munro. The boxer of the night award went to Nathan Swift for his excellent victory over Llay's former Welsh Youth Champion Joe Evans.
P4P Photographer Sean Keating really enjoyed the show and stated that it "was like Rocky on fast forward!" You can find a full write up on the show here.

01/04/11 - Another Sold Out Show at Leigh Miners!
A standing room only crowd witnessed 15 well matched contests at Leigh Miners Rugby Club last night. The boxer of the night award went to Brett Hackett for his victory over Sheffield's Lee Appleyard. Well done to everyone involved. You can find a full write up on the show here.

25/03/11 - Astley V.I.P Show at Leigh Miners Rugby Club

There is just one week left until Astley V.I.P's second show, which will be held at Leigh Miners Rugby Club on Thursday 31st March. All of the Club's boxers are in action including a number of boxers making their debuts. A limited number of tickets are available priced £10. Contact the Club for information or see any of the boxers.

As part of the show there will be a raffle for three year old Thomas Roberts from Leigh who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy. Please show your support and help us raise some much needed money for this good cause! 		 Show Poster

24/03/11 - Heartbreak for Andrew Fleming
CYP National finalist Andrew Fleming has suffered a devestating blow after starting his quest for a Junior ABA title at the weekend. Fleming beat J.Bulger from Fox ABC in the North West, Class 6, 60kgs Semi Final on Saturday but has today been forced to withdraw from his final appearance with what appears to be a fractured wrist.

17/03/11 - Sporting Calibre Seminars
The details of our sessions with Sports Psychologist Roger Kirby have been changed slightly - we will now have the seminars and drop-in sessions on the same night. The revised dates are for seminars on Monday 7th March, Monday 4th April, Monday 9th May and Monday 6 June (6:15pm - 7:00pm) with individual drop-in sessions on the same dates (7:00pm - 8:00pm).

17/02/11 - Sporting Calibre Seminars
The dates have now been confirmed for our sports psychology sessions with Roger Kirby of Sporting Calibre. There will be group seminars on Monday 7th March, Monday 4th April and Monday 9th May (6:15pm - 7:00pm) and individual drop-in sessions on Monday 21st March, Monday 18th April and Monday 16th May (6:00pm - 7:00pm). The seminars will look at topics like dealing with pressure before a contest and coping with success, failure and distractions.

07/11/10 - Fleming Beaten in CYP Final
Andrew Fleming was unable to capture his first National Title at the weekend - going down 20-10 to Welsh Champion Sam Baker in the CYP, Class B 57kgs Final at Portsmouth. Despite the result everyone at the Club is extremely proud of Andrew's achievments in the competition. He has beaten some good opponents and deserved his place in the final. Well done Andrew! Lets hope this is the first of many final appearances.

01/11/10 - Andrew Fleming Wins CYP Semi Final [READ MORE]

Andrew Fleming - CYP National Finalist 2010 Andrew Fleming will contest the 2010 National CYP Final after a good points win over High Wycombe's Pat McDonagh in this weekend's Semi Final at Wakefield. Andrew's opponent in the Class B, 57kgs final will be Welsh Champion, and last season's GB Champion, Sam Baker. Everyone at the Club wishes Andrew well in his first National Final appearence.

24/10/10 - Andrew Fleming Through to CYP Semi Finals [READ MORE]
Seventeen year old Andrew Fleming has battled his way through to the National Semi Finals of the CYP Championships with a 13-3 points win over Yorkshire Champion Ramsy Nasser in the Quarter Finals this weekend. Andrew is now just one win away from his first National Final appearence.

06/10/10 - Sports Psychology With Roger Kirby
The Astley V.I.P boxers enjoyed the benefit of a session with sports psychologist Roger Kirby of Sporting Calibre tonight. Roger works with athletes and coaches to improve sporting performance and help individuals fulfill their true sporting potential. Roger will be working with the boxers throughout the season. Check out his web page for more details.

02/10/10 - Andrew Fleming Retains NW CYP Title

Congratulations to Andrew Fleming who has retained the North West Region CYP title that he won last season. Due to a change in the rules for the competition Andrew was again in Class B of the championships and produced a great display against former national champion Reza Ali from the Castle Hill Club to win the 57kgs title. Well done Andrew! Andrew Fleming - North West CYP Champion 2010

06/09/10 - Strength Training for the New Season

Mo Power Strength and Conditioning The Astley V.I.P boxing team has agreed a deal to work with Bolton based Mo Power Strength and Conditioning for the new season. Selected members of the team are now enjoying weekly sessions with Mo Yacoobali who is working hard to improve their core strength. Mo's methods are all aimed towards boxing with specific exercises concentrating on boxing related techniques.

28/06/10 - End of Season Presentation Night
Astley V.I.P ended their season with a presentation night at the gym, which included the first running of the annual V.I.P Olympics followed by a BBQ for boxers and their families to celebrate a successful first season. Former European Champion Jamie Moore was in attendance to present the prizes. The big winners on the night were Nathan Swift (Astley V.I.P Olympics Champion 2010), Brett Hackett (Club Member of the Year 2009/10) and Andrew Fleming (Thomas McCulloch Memorial Cup Boxer of the Year 2009/10). You can find a full write up - and photos - from the presentation night here.

22/04/10 - O'Connor Construction and Astley V.I.P - A Knockout Combination!

O'Connor Construction Ltd, Manchester Astley V.I.P is pleased to announce O'Connor Construction Ltd from Manchester have agreed to support the Club on an ongoing basis. Managing Director Ian O'Connor is a huge boxing fan and already sponsors our boxer Johnnie Ward. After attending the recent North West Region ABA Championships in Gorton, and being impressed by the standard of boxing on show, Ian offered his assistance to the Club and we were delighted to accept.

12/03/10 - Astley V.I.P's First Show is a Massive Success
[READ MORE] [READ MORE] [PRESS RELEASE]
Thank you to all the visiting boxers that helped make our first show a success. The capacity crowd were treated to fifteen excellent contests, with Astley V.I.P represented in all. Two skills bouts opened the show and were followed by thirteen contests with Astley V.I.P victorious in nine. Well done to everyone involved. You can find a full write up on the show here.

03/03/10 - New Coach Joins Astley V.I.P
Local coach Dave Morris has joined the coaching team at Astley V.I.P and will bring a different quality to the Club which will compliment the skills of the existing coaches. Dave is currently studying at University and through his course has gained a knowledge of strength and condtioning work, nutrition and fitness, and he has also developed contacts with sports psychologists. We intend to use this knowledge and Dave's contacts to improve the performance of our boxers in future competition and help them to perform to the best of their ability.

25/01/10 - Astley V.I.P's First Title!!! [READ MORE] [READ MORE]

Congratulations to Andrew Fleming who has won Astley V.I.P's first title. Andrew captured the North West Region CYP title at 54kgs with two victories in two days over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th January. After training over Christmas this success is well deserved. Well done "nosebleed" and good luck in the next round! Andrew Fleming - North West CYP Champion 2010

15/12/09 - English University Boxing Championships

David Morris David Morris is celebrating today after winning the silver medal at the English University Boxing Championships held at Coventry University. David was representing Edge Hill University, where he is studying to be a PE teacher, and was up against England representative Louis Cunningham in the final. Despite losing on points to his more experienced opponent both David and his coaches were delighted with his performance.

16/10/09 - Nowt 2 Do? [READ MORE]
Astley V.I.P is delighted to join forces with PC Andy Wright of Greater Manchester Police to help publicise the "Nowt 2 Do?" scheme, which is organised by GMP and Wigan Council's Leisure & Culture Trust. Our contribution to the scheme will be to offer 1 week of FREE training sessions for local pupils from the Atherton, Tyldesley and Astley area.

14/10/09 - Lancashire Association of Clubs for Young People

Astley V.I.P is now affiliated to the Lancashire Association of Clubs for Young People. We look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that LACYP can offer our members and also competing in the various competitions that they organise throughout the year. Lancashire Association of Clubs for Young People

12/10/09 - "Irish Lightning" at Astley V.I.P
US based Irish light-welterweight Dean "Irish Lightning" Byrne visited the gym tonight. Dean is unbeaten in 11 contests and trains at the famous Wild Card gym with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

Astley V.I.P Boxers with Dean Byrne

11/10/09 - Michael, Andrew and Lewis with Michael Gomez

Michael Gomez

22/09/09 - Steve Bunce LIVE Tour
TV presenter and journalist Steve Bunce began his "Bunce Live" tour in Salford tonight and at the end of the evening presented Astley V.I.P with a £250 donation towards club expenses. Coach Stu McCulloch was on hand to collect the donation which is gratefully received. Astley V.I.P wishes Buncey the best of luck for the rest of his tour.

20/09/09 - Strength Training
Astley V.I.P coach Stu McCulloch has today attended a strength training and nutrition course presented by world renowned coach Phil Richards and organised by the North West Region ABA. In the past Phil has worked with many different sport teams as well as boxer Amir Khan. In Stu's words the course was "excellent" and we will be looking forward to seeing our boxers benefit from the new training methods he has learnt about.

11/08/09 - Genlec Electrical Contractors [PRESS RELEASE]

Genlec Electrical Contractors Astley V.I.P is delighted to announce that the Club has agreed a sponsorship package with Leigh based electrical contractors Genlec. The boxing team will display the Genlec logo on their kit, which will be worn at competitions around the UK this season. Everyone at Astley V.I.P is very grateful to John Twentyman and his team for their generous support.

John Twentyman (Genlec) and Astley V.I.P Boxing Team    John Twentyman (Genlec) and Astley V.I.P Boxing Team

07/08/09 - Funding Boost for Astley V.I.P
[PRESS RELEASE] [READ MORE] [LEIGH JOURNAL]
The members of Astley V.I.P are celebrating after receiving a £1000 Brighter Borough Grant from local councillor Brendan Bowen.

THANK YOU CLLR. BOWEN

Astley V.I.P Boxers with Cllr Bowen

30/07/09 - Astley V.I.P Sponsors Aaron Gorton

Astley V.I.P Amateur Boxing Club is proud to sponsor Leigh Miners Rangers ARLFC player Aaron Gorton for the 2009/2010 season. Aaron is from Astley and everyone at the Club wishes him all the best for the season.     Aaron Gorton   

25/06/09 - Astley V.I.P is now on Facebook

Astley V.I.P now has a page on Facebook - become a fan and keep up to date with all the latest news and information. Click here to become an Astley V.I.P fan. Astley V.I.P on Facebook

16/06/09 - Astley V.I.P in the News
Astley V.I.P has been in the news over the last week. The Club was featured in the latest edition of the ABA newsletter - download a copy from here - and also in the latest editions of the Leigh Journal and the Leigh Reporter.

28/05/09 - David Morris Wins Astley V.I.P's First Contest
Senior Welterweight David Morris ensured that Astley V.I.P's first ever contest ended in victory with a unanimous points win over this years National CYP and Junior ABA Quarter Finalist Jack Wiley from Redcar ABC on a show at the Colley Workingmens Club in Sheffield last night.

WELL DONE MOGGI

David Morris

18/05/09 - Astley V.I.P Amateur Boxing Club is Now Open! [PRESS RELEASE]
On Monday 18th May Astley V.I.P Amateur Boxing Club opened its doors for the first time. The Club is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. New members are always welcome - just come down to the gym and speak to one of the coaches.