The story of Mynydd Cynffig ABC’s survival
Boxing clubs so often represent pivotal presences at the heart of communities, just like Mynydd Cynffig ABC – previously known as Kenfig Hill ABC – has been since opening in 2017.
Their status as a crucial community asset, however, was recently put under threat. Permanent closure became a very real possibility when the premises in which they were based was deemed unsuitable, and they were given their notice to leave in March.
Without any other facility, the club was closed down in a few days.
“It was heart-breaking for all of us,” Mynydd Cynffig ABC coach Ryan Osgood told Welsh Boxing.
“It happened so quickly. The kids were gutted; we’re a family club and it was a sickening feeling knowing it had gone.”
The power of boxing as a force for good doesn’t go unrecognised, however. As word spread, more and more people called for action and worked to save the club.
“I reached out to every councillor in my area and all the media stations,” Ryan explained. “The people in the community knew it was going to be a big loss as we serve so many kids in and around the area, so people shared it.”
With the backing of the local community, Mynydd Cynffig ABC’s story eventually reached the local council when the club’s secretary Michelle Owen put Ryan in touch with local councillor Jane Granville.
“She read our story and started pushing the local community centre to rehome us,” Ryan commented, “but the place wasn't suitable; we would have had to pull the ring down every session, and bags just wouldn’t have been possible.
“Then the committee of Kenfig Hill Labour Club stepped in, though, and offered to have a chat with me,” Ryan continued.
“I went up there and told them our story, and they offered us their room upstairs, which is amazing!”
That commitment to ensuring the survival of the club is evidence enough of its – and boxing’s – importance within the community. And that’s not where the generosity stopped.
“They even lowered the rent for us!” Ryan said. “All of the committee at Kenfig Hill Labour Club have been amazing; we can't thank them enough.”
The journey wasn’t complete there, however, because the club hadn’t even a glove to restart sessions.
“We didn't have any equipment,” confirmed Ryan. “We’ve started from scratch.
“We have had generous donations from our coaches Johnny Jones and Billy Mears, as well as Adrian Sheeran from Llynfi Boxing Club, who gave us equipment to start back up. Without that support, it wouldn't have been possible.
“We basically started with nothing – no place to train and no equipment – to having a gym that is now affiliated with huge classes! It’s an amazing achievement for everyone involved with Mynydd Cynffig ABC!”
It’s fantastic to see people pile together in order to save a boxing club, and it really exemplifies just how important the sport is for local communities.
“It's massive to the community, it really is,” affirmed Ryan.
“We’ve been a part of the community for a few years, and in that time, we’ve helped so many kids and adults.
“We have an amazing committee at our new club; they have all played such a big part of this journey,” continued Ryan.
“We have changed the name to Mynydd Cynffig ABC (the cobras) and changed our colours to purple and black. It’s a new start on a new journey to creating history and champions; we’re now affiliated and ready to compete!”
As well as their supportive role in the local community, Mynydd Cynffig ABC has seen their hard work come to fruition over the years, having enjoyed success in competition previously.
“We created a Welsh champion in our first ever Championship appearance, in Brody Hart, and a few months later we had our first ever Novice champion, in Patrick Price! We have some amazing kids, and I have no doubt some of them will be future champions.”
Whatever happens, it’s fantastic to have seen such a large number of people persevere so much to save a boxing club that serves local people so brilliantly.
It really shows just how crucial our sport is at the heart of communities.