Bronx Boxing Gym finds a new home in Tranent Town Hall

The Bronx Boxing Gym was left homeless after leaving the former Tranent Methodist Church more than two years ago.

But now the group, which is headed up by John McCallum, has moved into Tranent Town Hall and is looking to be built up once again.

Mr McCallum, head coach and chairman of the group, was “ecstatic” about moving into the venue.

He said: “I cannot thank Paul Huish from East Lothian Council and his team enough – they were brilliant working with us.

“Covid has been here and you are under so many restrictions with that.

“The gym has really been finished before East Lothian Council started getting involved and backing us.

“There were so many different restrictions and we have been training on the odd night on the grass at Port Seton but conditions with wind and rain were bad so it was hard.

“It is impossible having a boxing club without a ring.

“We could have got venues but could not put a ring up and that was always the problem.”

Previously, members of the Bronx Boxing Gym represented the club at national and international events.

The move to the Church Street venue will see a ring and boxing training equipment, including punchbags, set up permanently.

Mr McCallum had been overwhelmed by the support from members of the community since it was announced that the club had found premises.

Messages had poured in through Facebook, with many looking to find out how children could sign up.

He was hoping the success of Prestonpans’ Josh Taylor – unified and undisputed light-welterweight champion of the world – would inspire people to step into the ring.

Already, the group plans to have training sessions on a Monday and Wednesday, with three different classes – seven to 11-year-olds, 11 to 18-year-olds, and a senior class.

READ MORE: Bronx Boxing Gym make appeal to find premises

Mr McCallum stressed that the competitive aspect of the sport was not for everyone but felt boxing was still a valuable resource.

He said: “Take the boxing out of it, not everybody gets it or wants to compete.

“Boxing is about changing lives.

“We take kids white water rafting, we take them all over the world – the USA, Canada, all over the world.

“Most of these kids have no chance of getting out of Tranent and that is why it is a big part of my life and my whole family’s life.

“To get shut down and nowhere for these kids to go, it was soul destroying. That is why we are so happy to be back in the community.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said they were happy to help out.

They said: “The council’s connected communities (Fa’side) and sports development teams have been working with the Bronx Gym to provide access to Tranent Town Hall.

“We are pleased that the use of the hall will allow the club to deliver boxing sessions and diversionary work to support the wellbeing of young people across the local community by increasing opportunities to take part in activity.”