Guilbert drops his guard on women boxers

WOMEN in Guernsey will – after all – be given the chance to box.

It is almost a year after the furore surrounding Louise Stewart, who wrote a letter to the Guernsey Press claiming that island's only boxing club, the Amalgamated Boys Club, had refused to allow her and other local women the opportunity to train at its St Martin's hall.

The club claimed it did not have the facilities or insurance to be able to accommodate women. The Amateur Boxing Association of England criticised the club, saying that it would not be too difficult.

But a year on, Graham Guilbert (pictured), the club's head coach, along with Bodyworks Fitness Centre owner Alex Anderson, are looking to organise sessions for women at the gym.

'With the awareness that the story brought, I thought, as a businessman, what can I do?' said Anderson. 'I'm pleased to offer this service. I saw a big potential for it in Guernsey. I've had as much interest from women as men. Maybe Louise would like to come down.'

• For more information, call Anderson on 242996.