PHOENIX Fire are making a real difference in the community.

Whether the aim is to become a champion or just to get fitter, the coaches are hitting the mark and the club is growing every year.

For some members, the club offers an alternative to hanging around on street corners and provides life-changing experiences.

“It is all about development,” said Mark Simmons, one of three coaches at a club that has survived some tough times to already produce title winners at international, national and regional level.

“It all started at the Coachman’s pub, which used to be on the roundabout on Winwick Road, then we moved to Dallam shops where there were people shooting at us through the windows and throwing metal bars through the windows.

“We moved to William Beamont School before our new partnership with the Fire Brigade and settling at our new gym which fully opened on Monday. We’re developing all the time. We’ve got 150 kids training with us and about 70 adults, so we’re a massive club now and growing all the time because it’s a family based club.”

As part of the role played in the community, Mark highlighted Phoenix’s club-run scholarship scheme, adding: “Children who behave at school and boxing can go to university, while our latest show last Thursday attracted 350 people to The Halliwell Jones Stadium “But this is just the start for us. Next year will be even bigger.”

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