Published: 23/02/2010 00:00 -
Updated: 26/02/2010 10:26
BURTON ABC boxer Fraser Clarke has been promoted to the British Amateur Boxing Association ʼs (BABA) provisional 21-man podium squad as part of its selection process for the GB boxing team that will compete at the 2012 London Olympics.
The podium squad has been enlarged from 15 to 21 to include six boxers Clarke being one of them that will join the group on a three-month trial, and this number will be rationalised in the build-up to the games in two years' time.
The BABA have also announced an 11-man development squad, which Clarke was initially selected in, and all 32 boxers wll recieve funding and train at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, under performance director Rob McCracken and his coaching team.
Clarke's trainer Ritchie Joyce said: "Rob McCracken has been pleased with the way things are going for Fraser.
"He watched Fraser fight a French boxer who he lost to last year and said he had improved 100 percent since then.
"He is on a three-month trial in the podium squad, so it's all about results for Fraser at the moment." Clarke will have the chance to pick up some more results when he travels to Mumbai next month to take part in the Commonwealth Cadet Games.
He will fly out on March 3, with the tournament starting on March 10 after a week's training, and the whole trip will take about a fortnight.
Joyce added: "If he does well at the Commonwealth Cadet Games, then they will move him up a level.
"If results don't go for him, then he might drop back into the development squad, but that wouldn't be the worst thing as he is still young."
Former world title challenger McCracken said: "We have a lot of talent and at this stage I am keen to have a larger podium squad that has traditionally been the case, as I want to maintain a competitive environment, and do not want it to feel like an exclusive group.
"I want the established team members to know that they have to keep improving to maintain their places, and the up-and-coming boxers to feel they have something to aim for and know they have the opportunity to be part of the 2012 team if they apply themselves, train hard and do well in competitions.
"The same applies to any other talented boxers out there.
"I am very happy with the squad we have, but this is not a closed shop, and is someone performs well in competition and shows they have the ability and dedication to make the grade, they can force their way in."
The podium squad train from Monday to Thursday at the EIS, and will compete in a series of international competitions throughout 2010.
ANOTHER Burton banger, lightwelterweight Tom Shaw, starts his ABA campaign next month in the Stafforshire round at Stoke-on- Trent.
Leon Gower is in the final of the Clubs for Young People championship at Coventry Triumph Club against a boxer from Bulkington ABC.
The BABA have also announced an 11-man development squad, which Clarke was initially selected in, and all 32 boxers wll recieve funding and train at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, under performance director Rob McCracken and his coaching team.
Clarke's trainer Ritchie Joyce said: "Rob McCracken has been pleased with the way things are going for Fraser.
"He watched Fraser fight a French boxer who he lost to last year and said he had improved 100 percent since then.
"He is on a three-month trial in the podium squad, so it's all about results for Fraser at the moment." Clarke will have the chance to pick up some more results when he travels to Mumbai next month to take part in the Commonwealth Cadet Games.
He will fly out on March 3, with the tournament starting on March 10 after a week's training, and the whole trip will take about a fortnight.
Joyce added: "If he does well at the Commonwealth Cadet Games, then they will move him up a level.
"If results don't go for him, then he might drop back into the development squad, but that wouldn't be the worst thing as he is still young."
Former world title challenger McCracken said: "We have a lot of talent and at this stage I am keen to have a larger podium squad that has traditionally been the case, as I want to maintain a competitive environment, and do not want it to feel like an exclusive group.
"I want the established team members to know that they have to keep improving to maintain their places, and the up-and-coming boxers to feel they have something to aim for and know they have the opportunity to be part of the 2012 team if they apply themselves, train hard and do well in competitions.
"The same applies to any other talented boxers out there.
"I am very happy with the squad we have, but this is not a closed shop, and is someone performs well in competition and shows they have the ability and dedication to make the grade, they can force their way in."
The podium squad train from Monday to Thursday at the EIS, and will compete in a series of international competitions throughout 2010.
ANOTHER Burton banger, lightwelterweight Tom Shaw, starts his ABA campaign next month in the Stafforshire round at Stoke-on- Trent.
Leon Gower is in the final of the Clubs for Young People championship at Coventry Triumph Club against a boxer from Bulkington ABC.
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