Since the 1970s, Argo Boxing Club has transformed lives and produced Scottish champions – with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The club, based in Drumchapel, keeps youngsters motivated, focused, and off the streets, especially with its Friday evening sessions for boys and girls.
Kate Black, the club’s treasurer, told the Glasgow Times: “We deliberately run a session on a Friday evening for younger people. It means they have something to do that is positive rather than being out on the streets.
“We see the difference these sessions make, especially for younger boys, because you must be very disciplined as a boxer, you need to be committed, and there’s no messing around. So, it’s good for young people because the rules are clear, and that’s respected in our sessions.
“We’ve had previous boxers who have said that if it hadn’t been for our sessions, they don’t know where they would have been.”
The club - which is a registered charity and is there voluntary run - was set up by Kate’s father, Jimmy Harvey, in 1973 to give youngsters in Drumchapel something to do.
Kate, who has been with the club since 2013, explained: “My dad was a boxer back in the day, and when he moved to Drumchapel before I was born, there didn’t seem to be much going on for young people. So, he created Argo to give young boys something to do, which would keep them off the street and give them a purpose.”
In the last 50 years, the club has even created Scottish, British, and Novice champions, according to Kate.
Scottish champions, Gregor Hall and Kenzie Moir, as well as Patrick and Peter Paton have all walked through the doors of Argo and were coached by Louis Black.
The 25-year-old coach revealed that he has worked with Gregor and Kenzie since they were just little ones.
Louis said: “It feels very rewarding, as though you are doing something right and that you’re helping young boys to do something great.”
Kate added: “We tend to punch above our weight most seasons, and our boys are winners.”
Speaking on the club’s impact on younger people, Louis explained: “Our Friday sessions keep boys and girls off the street, and it’s now our busiest night of the week with young boys.
“Young boys know they can’t drink if they box, so it gives them motivation and a reason not to fall into that drinking culture that we see in Scotland.”
But the club doesn’t just help kids. It also offers sessions to men and women, and has helped adults feel less isolated, and positively impacts their mental health.
Kate said: “The feedback we receive is that the club helps with people’s mental health, and that’s an important thing for us.
“People also tell us that they feel less isolated because of the club, and that boxing helps them blow off a bit of steam, too. It feels incredible to know we are helping with these things.”
The boxing gym is currently being used by the mental health charity, Men Matter, as well as Fortune Works, who work with people that have learning difficulties.
“The feedback we receive is that the club helps with people’s mental health, and that’s an important thing for us,” Kate said.
She continued: “People also tell us that they feel less isolated because of the club, and that boxing helps them blow off a bit of steam too. It feels incredible to know we are helping with these things.”
Argo Boxing Club were awarded £81,750 from Sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund in 2022 to convert some unused space under Oliver’s Lounge into a boxing gym.
For more information on Argo Boxing Club, visit www.facebook.com/ArgoBoxingClub/
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