Enfield Association of Voluntary Youth Clubs Awards Edmonton Eagles ABC for it's Voluntary Service to the Borough of Enfield

The Edmonton Eagles Amateur Boxing Club was formed in June 2004 as an initiative of the Club's President Penny Efstathiou, who saw the potential to really impact the area, especially the young people in a positive and dynamic way. Penny, Head Coach Dr. Evangelou and a team of dedicated volunteers opened for classes at Claverings Community Centre, holding two evening sessions a week. The Borough Commander for Enfield at that time, Simon O'Brien, shared the vision for the club and the police helped pay for a boxing ring and equipment.

In July 2005 the club moved to the Edmonton Leisure Centre, the police again providing the funding to fully convert an area of the Leisure Centre into a self contained boxing club and the club membership quickly grew at this central location. A new base had to be quickly identified, as the closure of the Edmonton Leisure Centre was imminent. The pavilion, now known as the Heart of Edmonton Community Centre, on Montagu Road, was identified and transformed to house the boxing club and in the middle of January 2007 the club opened for its first classes. The club’s standing in the community and the tremendous affect it was having amongst young people was the determining factor in getting the building. Council leaders, Borough Commanders, Andy Love MP all helped to champion the club’s cause for use of the building.

This new location has 2 large rooms dedicated for our use and these allow the club to train greater numbers and provide improved training facilities than was possible at the smaller area in the Edmonton Leisure Centre. The club is now well known at its new base and holds classes 5 nights a week plus numerous day time sessions. This previously under used and often vandalised building is now becoming a place of community and positive change. The positive work of the club in tackling anti-social behaviour and knife crime amongst young people was commended in the House of Commons.

For his outstanding work in sport and mentoring of young people, Head Coach Dr. Evangelou was awarded the The Jack Petchey Foundation Leader Award. He was also shortlisted from hundreds of applicants across the 33 London Boroughs as a nominee for the Proactive Awards ‘Coach of the Year’. These awards honour those outstanding individuals who are totally dedicated and tirelessly work in community sport, providing opportunities for everyone to take part regardless of age or ability.