Cayman boxers to compete in US tournament
(L-R) Coach Rogerio Pitta, boxer Alexander Smith, Phillip Harrison of NCB Cayman, Ann Marie Byrd of CIBA, Coach Ryan Barrett and boxer Chambria Dalhouse
(CNS): Two Cayman boxers will be heading off to the US this month to compete at the Sugar Bert National Championships qualifier in Columbus, Georgia. Coach Ryan Barrett selected Bruce Lee Coulson, 32, and Blayze Wood, 17, to participate in the 26-28 August event, with the airfare for one of the athletes sponsored by private banker NCB Cayman, through a donation to the Cayman Islands Boxing Association (CIBA). The recipient of the sponsorship is still to be decided.
Barrett said he chose Coulson because of his “great performance” at the recent Cayman vs Canada boxing match held at the Lions Centre, and Wood for his training efforts at the gym.
NCB Cayman met staff and officials from CIBA when it was searching for hard-working Cayman Islands sports people to photograph for its new advertising campaign.
NCB staff visited the Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gymnasium next to the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town and photographed one of the club’s young boxers in action for its “Endeavour” advertising campaign. The key message of the new campaign is that, in order to achieve success, you need the key ingredients of commitment, hard work and a willingness to go the extra mile.
NCB Cayman managing director Phillip Harrison said of the sponsorship: “Boxing was a great fit for our new advertising campaign and we were pleased to be able to help CIBA with travel costs for the upcoming competition in the States.
“The coaches explained that in order for the young boxers to improve and progress, they need the opportunity to compete with other competitive boxers. The only way to do this is to travel off island or encourage other teams to travel to Cayman to compete here. We were pleased to be able to help out with this forthcoming event.”
CIBA president Ann Marie Byrd said, “Boxing plays an important role in the community, instilling important values around discipline, hard work and commitment. The skills boxing teaches help our young people to achieve more – both in sport and in life.
“We appreciate the contribution from NCB Cayman and hope they will follow our progress carefully over the coming months under the guidance of our new coach – former boxing world champion Ryan Barrett.”
Between 100 and 150 young people are learning and being trained in boxing, said Barrett, adding that CIBA has an open-door policy. He said any young person interested in joining should visit the Dalmain Ebanks gym and speak to him.
Anyone who would like to sponsor travel expenses for the boxers is asked to email Mark Woolton of CIBA
Boxing is nothing but legalized GBH and should be permanently barred from the Cayman Islands!!