Club History
Club History
Early History
As one of the oldest Sporting Clubs at the University of Queensland, the Boxing Club has a rich history of achievement and success. Having been founded in the early 1900s, the club competed on a broad stage and enjoyed a disproportionately high success rate, especially compared with southern campuses. The club’s popularity led to its first UQ Blue award in 1936 after which a succession of Blues have been won since. The award standards were and still are some of the most demanding and exacting of all University sports.
Before the existing UQ Sport Complex was constructed, indoor sports clubs traditionally occupied a variety of post wartime structures in the George Street Domain precinct. Thus, UQ Boxing had its own gym equipped with a permanent ring, permanent training stations and fixtures, exclusive use and unrestricted access. This was a large part of the club’s success as it allowed members to be catered to thoroughly. However, the loss of George Street led to decreasing numbers of members and eventually the demise of the Club during the 1970s.
Resurrection
It wasn’t until 1989 when the Club was resurrected by a dedicated group of students. The key person was Mr John Previte whose drive to start the Club up again was epitomised by him bringing his own bag and pair of mitts to training. Other key members at the time were Lou Scarpato, Murray Patterson (president 1991) and Michael Leigh (Treasurer 1991).
Slowly but surely, the Club rose from the ashes with general interest and member numbers are improving. Nowadays, UQ Boxing has a very healthy member base with training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays garnering attendance levels ranging from between 20-40 people.
After a host of notable head coaches through the early 1990’s which included a number of former Australian champions (professional), the Club appointed Mr Tom Guivarra as Head Coach at the end of 1993. Tommy would stay on as Head Coach for the next 11 years and in the process become the most influential figure at the club in its modern era. Helped by Tommy Gibbs, whose son Jim was a former member, the two made a terrific team teaching the sweet science to new club members.
In 1998, the Club had it’s first competitive fighter for a number of years in Kristian Guivarra (Tommy’s son), who went on to win the State Novice Titles that year and win Best Fighter of the Tournament as well. Since then we have had a number of members who have gone on to represent the clubs at various tournaments around Australia.
In 2001, due to health reasons, Tommy Gibbs was replaced by George Styles who became our fitness trainer at the club. His rigorous fitness sessions coupled with Tommy’s technical know-how improved the overall boxing ability of members and produced three Australian University Champions in Neville Lee See (middleweight & a former club president), Brad Reilly (Light Heavyweight) and Michael Raine (Heavyweight).
After Tommy’s passing in May 2004, the club has since hired Mr Richard Ford as its new Head Coach. Richard is a former dual Olympic silver medallist for Poland and is one of the most knowledgeable coaches in Australian amateur boxing today. Together with Jeff Roots (who has taken over from George Styles as trainer) they have created a fantastic learning environment for newcomers to the sport.
So In Summary…
The UQ Boxing Club provides a safe and friendly learning environment for anyone wishing to learn the sport of boxing. It caters to everyone - from people wanting to improve their fitness to those who want to enter competitions. Training sessions are taught in an engaging manner with coaches and senior members willing to help beginners with technique and training tips. In addition to training, the club has a lively social scene with the annual dinner being the highlight of the year. With 2006 gearing up to be the club’s busiest to date, the current executive is very committed to continuing the successful running of the club as well as solidifying its foundations for future years to come.
Tom Guivarra
Our Head Coach, Tom Guivarra, passed away on May 8, 2004. Tom was a wonderful man who gave so much to those around him. He was associated with the UQ Boxing Club for many years, first as a student and later as a coach. In many ways he was the father of our club. We will forever remember him and carry on the fighting spirit that he exemplified.
We love you Tommy.