A small town with big punches – how SNABC moved from a scout hut to the world stage, becoming a world-class boxing powerhouse
Amid the unmistakable smell of stale sweat, old wraps and worn gloves, Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club (SNABC) is a place where young athletes don’t just learn how to throw punches – they discover discipline, resilience … and the strength of the community that stands firmly behind them.
Last month, the club joined an elite group of organisations recognised by England Boxing for producing a World Champion in Ruby White. At the heart of this achievement is Shaun Weeks, the founder and driving force behind the club, but it was a moment of deep pride for Shaun’s whole team – and the entire community.
Presenting the award, England’s national coach Mick Maguire said: ’This certificate acknowledges the input and the hard work that happens unseen here at the club.‘
Boxers get their accolades on the day, at every tournament, but people forget the amount of work and sheer dedication that goes on back at the home club … week in, week out, year in, year out.
‘I was out in Colorado with Ruby and the rest of the England team, and I’ve worked with Shaun and SNABC over the last four or five years. Everywhere I go, I see Shaun – he is always there! He’s at every tournament, he’s at the training camps. He’s acting as chauffeur … I’ve driven down from Birmingham to Sturminster tonight, and I tip my hat to him. Just getting in and out of North Dorset is not the easiest thing! It takes real dedication, and that’s what we’re acknowledging.
‘This award is only given by England Boxing to clubs that have produced a World Champion – of which there are very, very few. Sturminster is now in that elite group of World Championship clubs.’
But Shaun is quick to point out it’s not a solo act. ‘This award is for the whole team,’ he says. ‘Ruby gets all the plaudits, and I get a lot of acknowledgement, but there’s nine other coaches here, all unpaid volunteers, all giving up long hours away from their families. That’s why I’ve asked them all to be here tonight – they all deserve this pat on the back.’
Humble beginnings
The club’s story is one of grit and determination. Shaun founded it in 2001, starting out in the town’s scout hut where equipment had to be packed up after every session. ‘The numbers were going up and up,’ he says, ‘but it wasn’t sustainable. I knew we needed a place to call our own.’
The journey wasn’t without setbacks. In the early days, Shaun lost several key members and coaches to a rival club. ‘It left me on my knees a bit,’ he admits. ‘But then I thought, “I managed before, I can manage again”.’
By 2009, the club was thriving, and Shaun began looking for a permanent home. After almost signing on a less-than-ideal location, fate intervened when a local property owner showed Shaun a larger unit on the Butts Pond Industrial Estate in the heart of Sturminster Newton. ‘It already had a mezzanine floor,’ Shaun says. ‘I saw the potential immediately.’
The move was a gamble. The rent was a significant jump from what they were paying at the scout hut – but the club filled out the space, adding facilities and renting unused areas for personal training to ease financial pressures.
Against the odds
The club has now grown into a powerhouse, producing national champions and competing internationally. A highlight came earlier this year when the team travelled to Sweden for the prestigious King of the Ring competition, the largest boxing tournament in Europe.
‘We took ten boxers over,’ Shaun says. ‘Out of those, we picked up three gold medals, two silver and two bronze. It’s a tough competition – there were around 670 competitors from 19 different countries – but our boxers held their own.’
The victories weren’t just about medals: for some young athletes, it was their first time abroad or even staying in a hotel. ‘It’s never just about boxing,’ Shaun says. ‘It’s about giving these kids experiences they’ll carry with them for life.’
But with success comes challenges. Financial pressures mean the club can’t always take as many athletes to international competitions as they’d like. ‘This year, we had to dip into our reserve funds,’ Shaun admits. ‘Next year, we’ll have to be more selective, which is tough when everyone is working so hard in the gym.’
King of the Ring
A vision for the future
Despite the obstacles, Shaun has big dreams for the club. ‘We’ve probably outgrown this building now,’ he says. His vision is for a purpose-built facility that could serve as a hub for combat sports across North Dorset. ‘Imagine a space where boxing, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and taekwondo could all come together. That’s the next step for us.’
It’s clear that Shaun’s passion isn’t just about creating champions in the ring but about building a community.
‘We’re a little club,’ he says, pausing before correcting himself. ‘Well, we’re quite a big club now, actually! But it’s all from this tiny place in the back end of nowhere.’
As for the future, the club is already looking ahead to January, when three of its boxers will compete in the England Boxing National Youth Championships. Shaun is also preparing for the day when their brightest star, Ruby, transitions to the national GB squad. ‘We’ll lose her to GB full-time, but that’s always the goal – to see our boxers grow and achieve at the highest levels.’
A community effort
SNABC is clearly more than just a place to train: it’s a lifeline for many. Shaun’s leadership has steered it through challenges, but it’s the collective spirit of the coaches, athletes and community that has made it what it is today. ‘This award,’ Shaun says, holding the certificate with quiet pride, ‘is for everyone who’s been part of this journey. It’s proof that hard work, even in the smallest places, can lead to great things.’
