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31/03/2008
England female squad French training camp and competition
Thursday 27th March 2008
Arrival at Luton airport at 1.15pm, met up with Alvin Finch (North East Counties official) to fly to Paris. Michael met us from the French Boxe federation, who conveyed us to our accommodation.
Friday 28th March 2008 - (Pont Ste Maxine)
In the morning we had a brief stroll of the local area and then made our way to the French Federation Boxe office for 11am. At midday the female boxers and coaches from all three nations joined us. The boxers and coaches were all in good spirits. At 6.30pm we were taken to the venue and at 8.30pm a ring parade was conducted and the national anthems were played. Boxing commenced immediately afterwards.
50kgs: Sharon Holford (Eng) v Virginie Nave (Fra)
Both boxers started the bout well with hard punches to the head and body of the other. As the round progressed Sharon was caught more frequently with straight shots. The second round started in the same vein as the first finished, although Sharon was constantly forcing her French opponent onto her back foot, the French girl continued to score with the straight shots. Sharon - now 7 points down - pressurised her opponent throughout the third round connecting well with hooks to the body and head, however the French girl covered up well and became more elusive as the bout concluded. In the main both boxers fought the contest close in. Nave won the bout 1-11.
60kgs: Lovedana Dragulin (Rom) v Anastasia Cousins (Eng)
The bout started fast with both boxers trying to control the centre of the ring. The longer reach of Anastasia paid off with her straight punches connecting well, forcing the Romanians head back. After 1.30 a right cross staggered the Romanian. The second round saw Anastasia grow in confidence. However, she didn't have it all her own way as her opponent caught her with some good straight punches to the head. Anastasia continued in the same way right through to then final bell, with constant punching to the head and body of the Romanian. This was a good solid performance by Anastasia - winning the bout 7-27.
66kgs: Luminata Turcin (Rom) v Lesley Sackey (Eng)
Lesley started the bout well with her good southpaw jab, keeping the rounded Romanian at bay. As the round went on Lesley eased off with the jab enabling her opponent to score with some clubbing hooks to the body and head. In the second round Lesley was more productive with her straight punches, but once again as she eased off the Romanian came on strong with her clubbing punch style, scoring against Lesley. Another good start to the last round for Lesley, using her reach advantage with her straight shots, as with the first two rounds as she eased off the pace and became static the Romanian was able to capitalize with her clubbing punches. The Romanian won the bout 6-3.
63kgs: Natasha Jonas (Eng) v Malika Gontheir (Fra)
This bout started well for both boxers, each scoring well with combinations to head and body of the other. As the round progressed Natasha began to take control of the bout, using her power and reach advantage. In round 2 Natasha pushed her opponent back and began to score well with her right hooks and straight left crosses. Natasha's combinations were endless, scoring to both head and body at all ranges. Round three saw the French girl struggle to get her punches off, due to the constant work rate of Natasha. At times in the third round the French girl was clearly in trouble from the telling punches of Natasha, however this appeared to go un-noticed by the referee. Natasha was a clear winner with a very good performance winning the bout 24-4.
Saturday 29th March 2008
All the boxers and coaches appeared to be in good spirits having had a good night's rest.
Following breakfast we re-grouped at 08.20. The whole team then boarded the coach for the journey to the next venue, approximately 3.5 hours away.
Grande Synthe
Whilst having lunch I was informed that the Romanian opponent for Natasha Jonas had pulled out of the bout with a broken hand.
At the venue the boxers were seen by the doctor prior to their bouts. The opponent for Carley Wealleans weighed-in and was at the exact weight for the match. As her card could not be located we asked the French female boxer her date of birth, she explained that she was nearly 19 years of age. Under ABAE rules she was too old to compete against Carley. The French coach he replaced Lucy Able with the French girl, which only left us with two boxers competing. I attempted to get his decision reversed, but without any luck. Due to a problem with the computer system the scoring was done manually.
57kgs Carley Wealleans (Eng) v Davina Touati (Fra)
Carley withdrawn by England team manager (see above)
54kgs Nicola Adams (Eng) v Lorna Weaver (Fra)
The bout started as a very cagey affair, both boxers trying to draw their opponent's lead, Nicola was very selective with her punches which were thrown with good accuracy to the head and body. The variation of punches had the French girl confused especially when Nicola switched from Southpaw to orthodox. In the second round Nicola appeared to relax into the bout, her punches were connecting well from all different angles and ranges. Her opponent's punches were dropping short as Nicola moved around with superb footwork. Nicola continued in the third round to box off of her back foot, selecting her precision single and combination punches scoring well, countering every time the French girl came forward. The bout was announced as a draw to the amazement of everybody in the building, and the home crowd booed the decision. Nicola took the decision magnanimously, which was a credit to her. Immediately following the bout the French National coach left the corner and came to me stated that he thought Nicola clearly had won the bout.
57kgs Larisa Sfarlea (Rom) v Lucy Abel (Eng)
Lucy replaced by French National coach (see above)
60Kgs Alexandra Berechet (Rom) v Anastasia Cousins (Eng)
Next up for England was Anastasia. Both boxers began with straight punches to the head. In the first round there was not much between them. Anastasia cut off the ring well, not letting her opponent settle. In the second round Anastasia began to force the pace hitting her opponent with some good shots to the head, in her bid to do well she was caught by the long reach of the Romanian. Not unsettled, Anastasia worked in phases forcing her opponent onto her back foot and unsettling her. The third round was a good round for Anastasia, whose confidence grew. This reflected well on her style as she threw some good countering combinations to the head and body of the Romanian. At the conclusion of the bout Anastasia was announced the unanimous points winner. This was another solid performance by Anastasia, which concluded a great tour for her.
Sunday 30th March 2008
The coach driver gave us a short tour of Paris, which included a short stop at the Eiffel Tower, followed by an hour in the centre for a short shopping excursion. We then boarded the coach for the trip to the airport.
Team behaviour
In the four days I was with the team, every one of the boxers behaved in the way I would expect of international representatives.
In my opinion the boxers were not only a credit to themselves, they were also a credit to the ABAE and their country.
Officials
Alvin Finch Was the only official we took over to France.
In and out of the ring his constant professionalism was well respected by his peers and the whole England squad.
Alvin made a big impression on the female squad, which I believe assisted in the boxers approach to the bouts. At the initial team briefing, Alvin went over what he would expect of them as a referee and a judge.
Coaches
Both coaches were there for the boxers at every stage prior-to and after the bouts. They clearly get on well with the team. They were professional at ringside and throughout the trip.
Accommodation
The accommodation was very comfortable all the time I was there, I did not hear of anyone complaining of the rooms at the training camp. The food was more than adequate with a large selection of nutritional choice at each meal.
Transport
We were allocated a coach and driver for the whole time we were there. The coach was clean and well maintained and of a good comfortable standard.
Team manager
Cliff Perkins
Official
Alvin Finch
Coaches
Amanda Groarke
Jacqui-Lee Pryce
Boxers
Lucy Abel
Nicola Adams
Natasha Jonas
Anastasia Cousins
Savanah Marshall
Carley Wealleans
Sharon Holford
Lesley Sackey
Chloe Fairhead
Summary
To summarise the four days I was in France, the competition was good for all the boxers, whether they competed or not. I managed to speak to them all separately, and each of them stated that they had enjoyed the tour and learnt so much.
Tthe whole team behaved superbly and it was a pleasure for me as team manager to be part of it.