TROWBRIDGE ABC are celebrating one of the proudest achievements in their history after two of their teenage boxers became national champions.

Elizabeth Bools, 16, and Ruby Hanson, 15, are both toasting national glory after their respective victories at the National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs finals at the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) WISE campus in Bristol on December 4.

Melksham’s Bools, who is also a member of SGS’s Boxing Academy, took a unanimous points decision over Hartlepool Catholic’s Shauna Taylor to win the Class B U60kg category whilst Hanson, from Bath, knocked down opponent Brodie Stephenson in the first round, from Carlisle Villa, on her way to taking the Class B U66kg title.

Bools also reached the finals of the England Boxing Schools Championships in Sheffield, in May, and coach Bryant reckons that his two champions are on-track for international honours following their moment in the sun.

“We had Corey Smitherman win at the Haringey Cup a little while ago but we haven’t had a national champion for about 20 years,” said the Trowbridge chief, whose club was formed in its current guise in 1982.

“I’ve taken boxers to seven finals over the last 10 years and I’ve never had anyone win until now, where we’ve had two girls become national champions at the same time.

“We had 20 or 25 people there, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but we were one of the best-supported clubs there and I don’t think that anyone else had two champions on the same day – when you look at big clubs like Repton, in a way, we’re punching above our weight.

“Elizabeth won a semi-final to get into her final and she won every round. Ruby struggles a lot with nerves and she’s had a bit of help from a sports psychologist.

“On the day that Ruby first came in, I said to her at the end of that session that I would get her to boxing for England.

“She needs to win at the England Boxing finals next year to get picked but it’s what she and Elizabeth need to be going for.”

The Trowbridge club are outgrowing their current River Way base and are on the lookout for a new home.

Anyone with information on potential new premises can contact coach Bryant on 07833 246579.