East Lothian Boxing Club welcomed a new generation of boxers through its doors earlier this month.
The club, founded in 2009, has signed a long-term lease for the free use of a large gym space at Joe’s Gym, a new community centre on Haddington’s Hospital Road.
Callum Colquhoun, who has been involved with the boxing club since its formation, was delighted to see it back on its feet.
A large crowd turned out for the opening of the boxing club’s new home (Image: Contributed)
The committee chairman said: “We are thinking of our first show already.
“We are very, very confident; everybody is confident.
“It is early days but there is lots of interest from young boxers and some former boxers that are coming back.
“The potential is just enormous.”
The boxing club had found a solid footing in the national boxing community, developing both amateur and professional champions.
In 2013, it was named Club of the Year at the Amateur Boxing Scotland Awards.
However, the club, which was previously based off Haddington’s Mill Wynd, struggled when it lost its home.
Mr Colquhoun was pleased to see the new long-term lease in place after fearing that the club might not return.
Sessions have already proved busy at the East Lothian Boxing Club’s new home in Haddington (Image: Contributed)
He said: “Initially, I hoped right at the start that it was going to happen sooner rather than it did.
“Then, especially during Covid, I thought that was the end and it was not going to happen; I was not sure what was going to happen.”
Premises were found and there is now a renewed optimism about the club.
Volunteers from across the community have worked tirelessly to transform the premises, which now not only caters for boxing but also has studio space for other classes.
Keith Colgan will head up the boxing programme, joined by former professional boxer Iain Trotter.
A team of 10 volunteers is also in place to help run classes throughout the week.
The new gym – named after Haddington’s own keen sportsman Joe Forte, who died in 2024 – officially opened earlier this month.
Mr Colquhoun said: “There was a very good turnout.
“Josh Taylor [former world boxing champion] was there and by all accounts it was a fantastic day.”
Councillor Tom Trotter, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, told members of Haddington and District Community Council that he had visited the previous evening and it was “chock-a-block”.
He said: “I think there were three sessions last night but the beauty of having a bigger place is a couple of things can happen at the same time.
“Fitness can take place at the same time as laddies doing sparring.
“There is a date provisionally booked in November to have a show in the Corn Exchange.
“If we get anywhere near the success of days when the club was open in the past, we will be doing well.”