Rory Parkes: Unsung Hero finalist
Amateur boxing has long been one of Ireland’s most successful sports, but in Athlone it was effectively dormant for a period of more than 30 years. That was until Rory Parkes came along.
In 2006, the local man set out to start a new Athlone Boxing Club. When he established the club, it was based in Battery Heights for a brief spell, before moving into a gym that was arranged in the basement of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
And, over the last 18 years as Athlone Boxing Club’s head coach, Rory has gone on to devote countless hours of his own time to the training and guidance of young people from the area, passing on self-development skills as well as boxing techniques.
His work at the club is entirely voluntary and is something he does for the love of the sport and out of a desire to help the young boys and girls, from a variety of different backgrounds, who step through the door of the club.
In the last few years, the club has focused in particular on the development of new young talent, and Rory’s efforts in that regard have been paying dividends in the shape of a number of national titles at underage level.
The late, and legendary, sports commentator Jimmy Magee officially opened the boxing club’s basement gym in 2007, but in the years since it has become increasingly apparent that the facilities there are no longer fit for purpose.
As a result, Rory is now focused on a new goal: developing a purpose-built gym for the next generation of boxing talent in Athlone.
“We are working really hard on trying to get a new premises. Our current facilities are basic enough, and it’s testament to everybody here that, with the facilities we have, we’re still able to produce the champions that we produce,” said Rory at a boxing club awards night last December.
“We are always trying to be on an upward trajectory with the club, and trying to take it to the next level.”
The other Unsung Hero finalists are Chrissie Killian and Olive Quinn.
The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Thursday.
The Unsung Hero category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union.