A boxing coach who believes "it’s important to create a bond with your fighters" has won a national coaching award.

Harley Pullen, 24, brought home England Boxing’s first ever Young Coach of the Year Award from a lavish award ceremony at the Victoria Royal Hotel in Sheffield.

The prize-winning pugilist, who coaches at The Future Boxing Academy in Bicester, was shortlisted into the top three coaches under 30 in the country, before claiming victory.

READ MORE: Teenage boxers from academy in Bicester shine in major competition

Mr Pullen said: “It shows that all the hard work is paying off. We put a lot of hard work into the boxing studio and the boxers, and it’s nice that England Boxing have created a platform to recognise this.”

Mr Pullen has been coaching for four years, having opened his own gym at the age of 20.

He added: “We’ve been a boxing club for three years, but this is our first year as an amateur club.

“I’m proud, and the results we’ve had over our first season say it all really. The boxers we have now are on a different level than when they joined.

“I hope this recognition for me, and the club will attract more young people to come along and try boxing.”

Last month, two of Mr Pullen’s teenage boxers competed in the Midlands Box Cup Championship in Birmingham.

Rhian Minns, from Oxford, won her category, and her fellow boxer, Theo Shayler, from Witney, came second in his, losing on points in the final to the current eastern counties champion.

Mr Pullen said: “It’s really important that a coach creates a bond with their boxers. Without the bond it’s hard to get through to a fighter.

“You can’t teach everyone the same way either, it’s like school, people learn in different ways and they can’t just be thrown into one classroom.

“Sometimes people pick up boxing really quickly, sometimes it takes a bit longer.”

Nominations for Mr Pullen came flooding in from members at his club and the community surrounding it.

One member said: “He has helped a great number of children in the community with all different needs.

“He makes everyone feel extremely welcome and part of the family.”

Another nomination said: “Since my two young daughters joined the club, Harley has given them a lot of confidence and the effort he puts into the club and its members is amazing.”

A third nomination said: “Nothing is ever too much for him. He goes above and beyond, and he will always put his boxer’s needs first.”

Mr Pullen has recently turned professional himself.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1