Seven Decades.
One Family.
This is the story of a boxing club that became a community institution — built on sweat, sacrifice, and an unbreakable belief that sport can change lives.
It Started With a Vision.
Barnstaple Amateur Boxing Club was founded in 1955 with a simple but powerful idea: that a boxing gym could be a force for good in the community.
Long before fitness culture was mainstream, long before boxing gyms were fashionable, someone in North Devon believed that the sport had the power to teach young people discipline, build character, and create a sense of belonging that went far beyond anything they'd find on the streets.
That belief — over 70 years later — remains unchanged. And the results speak for themselves: England representatives, national champions, and thousands of ordinary people who walked through our doors and left as better versions of themselves.
That's the Barnstaple ABC story. And it's still being written.
Seven Decades, Milestones Made
From our first competitive bouts to our most recent national titles — these are the moments that define us.
The Foundation
Barnstaple Amateur Boxing Club is founded, establishing what will become North Devon's most decorated boxing institution. A small gym, a big dream, and an unshakeable commitment to the community.
ABA Semi-Finals
Coach Fin reaches the ABA Semi-Finals — a defining achievement for the club that announces Barnstaple ABC on the national stage. Fin goes on to lead South West England in 1983 and coach internationally across Europe and Asia.
National RecognitionGraham Joins the Family
A father brings his son through our doors looking for confidence. He finds it. By 1998, Graham himself is a permanent fixture — and over the following decades becomes the bedrock of the club as Head Coach and Competition Secretary, producing national titles and England representatives.
Jamie's National Final
Jamie — who first walked into the gym at age 14 — reaches the national finals, cementing his place in club history. He goes on to become a qualified official, referee, and Level 2 coach. Another fighter who became a teacher.
National FinalistAnnaka's First Fight
What started as a charity boxing match for Annaka became a calling. By 2022, she was a qualified coach — part of a new generation leading Barnstaple ABC forward. Her story is proof that this club changes lives at every age.
Senior Elite Champion 🏆
Jed Davies becomes Senior Elite Champion — one of the club's most decorated fighters with 50+ competitive bouts and multiple national championship finals. A homegrown champion proving that Barnstaple ABC can compete with anyone, anywhere.
National ChampionBuilding the Next Chapter
With a fundraising campaign for a major mezzanine extension underway, Barnstaple ABC is investing in its future — doubling capacity, creating a dedicated Tiny Titans space, and ensuring the next 70 years are even bigger than the last.
Support the GoFundMe →The Barnstaple ABC Way
These aren't slogans. They're the principles that have guided every coach, every fighter, and every family through our doors for seven decades.
Respect
For your opponent, your coaches, and yourself. Boxing teaches more about respect than any classroom — and it starts the moment you walk in.
Hard Work
"Train hard, fight easy." There are no shortcuts in this sport. We build real fitness, real skills, and real grit — through consistent, honest effort.
Family
We are not a commercial gym. We are a community. The friendships built in this club last lifetimes — we look after each other inside and outside the ring.
Growth
Every person who walks through our doors has a goal — getting fit, building confidence, competing, or simply belonging. We meet you where you are and take you further.
Jimmy Randall — England's Own
With over 110 fights and the honour of representing England, Jimmy Randall is one of the most decorated fighters in Barnstaple ABC's history.
A former army sergeant whose philosophy — "Train hard, fight easy" — echoes through every session he coaches. Jimmy's career is the embodiment of what this club produces: disciplined, resilient, and relentless competitors who carry the Barnstaple name with pride.
Now a coach here, that experience doesn't sit in a trophy cabinet. It's passed on to every fighter he trains.
Meet All Our CoachesHelp Us Write the Next Chapter
We are raising funds for a vital mezzanine extension that will double our capacity, create a dedicated Tiny Titans space, and ensure Barnstaple ABC continues to serve North Devon for the next 70 years. Every contribution counts.