Noi nurturing young hopefuls

BOXING coach Eric Noi.

TRAINER Eric Noi is helping to bring along the next generation of boxing stars.

Noi, who has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award in the sports administrator category, coaches the likes of Robbie Connor and Jack Ellender at Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre on Derker Street.

Under Eric’s stewardship, Connor lifted the ABA Senior Novice class ‘A’ crown, and Ellender won the North-West Region Extra Junior Novice ABA Championship.

And who better to learn from than the man who was part of the 1992 British Olympic team?

Eric’s friend Steven Ferguson believes Eric deserves recognition for the effort he puts in.

“Since the centre opened a couple of years ago, Eric has put so much time and hard work in because he wants to make a difference,” said Ferguson.

“He thinks the world of every single person he works with at the centre.

“Eric invests an awful lot of his own time for the benefit of other people.

“Recently he took a lot of the young boxers on a coach to watch Matthew Hatton fight in Bolton, so they could get an insight in to what professional boxing is all about.

“He teaches them skills and techniques for inside the ring but also discipline and self-respect to hold them in good stead in the outside world.”

Eric, who had to retire from boxing due to injury, started running the centre two years ago.

As well as welcoming people of any age, race or religion to give the sport a try, he also runs a number of personal development courses, ranging from substance rehabilitation to weight management.

Ferguson added: “Eric is doing so much for the town, because he is helping and producing the next bunch of boxing stars. It’s what he does best.

“The thing about Eric is, he can speak to and deal with people from all walks of life. No one is excluded, everyone is equal, which is one of the reasons why the centre is so popular.

“We are already starting to see the fruits of his labour, with the likes of Jack, Robbie and so many other exciting young prospects doing well in the ring.

“I am sure we will see more talent coming through, which can only be a good thing for Oldham.”